The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has lodged a formal complaint with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Government of India over a restaurant in Saudi Arabia that has been themed after the Golden Temple.
According to the SGPC, the restaurant features golden domes and interior designs resembling the sacred Sikh shrine, Harmandar Sahib, and displays its pictures for commercial purposes. SGPC secretary Partap Singh said the move was disrespectful and hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikh community.
The issue came to light after Sikh residents in Saudi Arabia raised concerns and approached both the Akal Takht and the SGPC. Partap Singh stated that the restaurant’s design seems to be an attempt to attract Sikhs and Punjabis living in the region for profit. “It is highly objectionable as it amounts to disrespect to the entire Sikh community,” he said.
The SGPC is demanding that the architecture of the restaurant be completely changed and that all images of the Golden Temple be removed from both the exterior and interior.
SGPC Executive Meeting Today
In related news, the SGPC executive committee is holding a meeting in Amritsar on Tuesday. While the official agenda has not been disclosed, sources suggest that the body may discuss recent discontent in the Sikh community over the appointment of Takht jathedars.
Damdami Taksal and other Sikh and Nihang organisations have given the SGPC a May 10 deadline to reinstate the three jathedars or face protests.
Another major issue likely to be taken up is the pending mercy petition for Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict. There have been ongoing appeals to commute his sentence to life imprisonment.
More clarity is expected after the executive meeting concludes.
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