Amritsar, July 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has strongly refuted what it described as a “misleading and malicious campaign” regarding the dispatch of sacred saroops (printed volumes) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to Canada, asserting that the entire process was carried out strictly in accordance with Sikh religious traditions and established Panthic norms.
Reacting to what he termed misinformation being spread through social media and other platforms, SGPC Secretary Balwinder Singh Kahlwan said certain individuals were deliberately attempting to create confusion among the Sikh community while tarnishing the image of the apex Sikh body.
Kahlwan clarified that the sacred saroops were sent to Canada in response to a long-pending religious requirement and repeated requests from Sikh congregations and gurdwara management committees there. He said the saroops were dispatched with full religious decorum, respectfully placed in Palki Sahib and transported in complete conformity with Sikh maryada (religious code of conduct).
He pointed out that the SGPC has previously sent sacred saroops to countries including the United Kingdom, Australia and Thailand after obtaining approvals from its Executive Committee and in accordance with Resolution No. 2 passed during a meeting of the five Sikh High Priests (Panj Singh Sahibaan) on September 19, 2009.
Regarding the latest consignment, Kahlwan said the decision was taken only after receiving a formal request from Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Association, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. The proposal was subsequently approved by the SGPC Executive Committee through Resolution No. 798 adopted during its meeting held on July 28, 2025, following which the sacred saroops were dispatched with due reverence and religious protocol.
He stressed that there was no scope for any misunderstanding regarding the process, adding that SGPC member Bhai Rajinder Singh Mehta had visited Canada before the dispatch to inspect the arrangements made by the concerned gurdwara.
Kahlwan further said that, on the directions of SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, Executive Committee member Bibi Harjinder Kaur also visited the gurdwara in Surrey after the arrival of the sacred saroops and expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made there in accordance with Sikh maryada.
Rejecting allegations that the sacred saroops were being supplied for commercial gain, the SGPC Secretary described such claims as completely false, baseless and intended to mislead the Sikh community.
He clarified that the concerned gurdwara committee was distributing the sacred saroops to the sangat free of cost after proper verification and solely on the basis of genuine religious need and requests from devotees. Therefore, allegations of commercial activity or financial profiteering had no factual basis, he added.
Appealing to the Sikh community across the world, Kahlwan urged people not to be influenced by rumours or misleading propaganda circulating on social media or other platforms. He advised the community to verify facts before accepting or sharing any information.
Reiterating the SGPC’s commitment to safeguarding the sanctity of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Sikh maryada and Panthic traditions, he said there could be no compromise on matters relating to the respect and dignity of the Guru.
Kahlwan added that the SGPC would continue to serve Sikh congregations across the world in accordance with Sikh religious traditions while respecting their genuine spiritual needs and sentiments. He also said the SGPC would always welcome constructive suggestions from the Sikh community aimed at preserving the honour and sanctity of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
FOLLOW NOW
