SGPC forms panel to review Darbar Sahib ‘replica’ at Mastuana

Amritsar: It is learnt that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has recently formed a five-member committee to review the controversial structure modelled on the Darbar Sahib, Amritsar. Gurdwara Sachkhand Angeetha Sahib, Mastuana, situated on the Sangrur-Barnala road has been repeatedly in the eye of a storm over the past two decades.

The SGPC took the decision after a group of Sikhs protested against the move of constructors of the structure to make Parkash of Guru Granth Sahib in it.

“Harmandar Sahib was established by the Sikh Gurus. There is no place for its replica anywhere in the world,” said SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar.

He said the committee would visit the gurdwara premises and stop ongoing construction, if any. He added that the committee would submit a report, on the basis of which the SGPC would take further action.

The committee, headed by SGPC vice-president Kewal Singh Badal, includes general secretary Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, SGPC members Karnail Singh Panjoli, Rajinder Singh Mehta and Mohan Singh Bangi.

Decades long controversy:

Gurdwara Sachkhand Angeetha Sahib at Mastuana on the Sangrur-Barnala road is a shrine owned by a Mastuana dera, headed by Sadhu Singh.

The gurdwara’s construction began in 1967. It was in 1994 that Sikhs first objected to its structure, which resembles the Darbar Sahib, Amritsar. In 1996, then Akal Takht jathedar Manjit Singh issued a hukamnama (edict), stopping construction and ordering changes in the gurdwara structure

In 2008, the gurdwara management resumed construction, which triggered an agitation by Sikhs, who approached the Akal Takht and SGPC. In 2009, the Akal Takht issued another hukamnama and stopped further construction after getting a written apology from the gurdwara management. The SGPC ordered the closure of the Har-ki-Pauri.