Giani Gurbachan Singh
Amritsar, Punjab: The Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh today criticized the Belgian authorities for forcible closure of a Gurdwara Sahib in Brussels on the ground that illegal immigrants and unauthorized persons were visiting the Gurdwara Sahib to partake ‘langar’.
In a statement issued from Amritsar on Friday (Oct. 24), Giani Gurnachan Singh said that the controversial decision of the Belgian authorities had hurt Sikh sentiments. Earlier the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) also criticized Belgian authorities.
Pointing out that the concept of langar was started by Sikh Gurus, Giani Gurbachan Singh said that the Belgian authorities must realize that anyone, irrespective of his or her religion, caste creed or faith, could enter a Sikh Gurdwara Sahib to partake langar or for listening Gurbani. There is no bar on anyone’s entry into Sikh Gurdwara.
The management committee of Gurdwara Guru Nanak Sahib had also took similar plea before the Belgian authorities that they can not check immigration papers or visas of persons visiting the Gurdwara Sahib.
The Jathedar said that Gurdwara management should not be blamed as the committee can not check immigration papers of devotees.
He called upon the Belgian government to allow the Gurdwara to reopen.