Respek

Changes to Attitude Over Time

Then

1604: Guru Arjan Dev Ji completes the Adi Granth (later compiled as the Guru Granth Sahib Ji), he appoints Baba Budha Ji as the head granthi and the first hukamnamma is taken. The day is soon complete, and Baba Budha Ji prepares the Adi Granth to be taken to its resting place (Sach Khand).

Once placed in its resting place, the sangat is in disbelief; Guru Arjan Dev Ji has made a statement so bold that Sikhism will never be the same. He himself takes up his resting place, but not where he normally takes it, he has given up his own bed to sleep on the floor out of respect for the Adi Granth.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji has shown the world the respect that the Shabad Guru deserves.

1914: During World War I, Guru Granth Sahib Ji played a central role in the life of Sikh soldiers in the British Army. A new Sikh recruit would only be recruited into the army after being initiated into the Khalsa (taking Amrit) and taking an oath on Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Even in daily life, Guru Granth Sahib Ji, while being carried at the front of the regiment, would lead Sikhs into battle. Carrying the Guru Granth Sahib Ji at the front of the regiment was a tradition maintained by Sikhs from Maharaja Ranjit Singh up until the World Wars. All battles would only commence with the blessings of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, and any disrespect of Guru Granth Sahib Ji would not be tolerated; even in the middle of a battlefield. Major A.G Barstow, of the British army in 1928, tells us that: “even the British Officers of Indian Regiments saluted the ‘Granth Sahib’.

Now

2008: Today we have seen a turn for the worse. We are happy to carry out weddings in hotels and clubs, at the same time taking Guru Granth Sahib Ji to an establishment where alcohol, meat and tobacco are served, and in some instances even throw a party in its presence.

Today we have also taken upon the concept of carrying Guru Granth Sahib Ji in suitcases, in the boot of our car, and placing it to rest on a shelf or even a cupboard. This is the very same Guru we are asking to bless our lives, yet we treat Guru Granth Sahib Ji with total disrespect.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s honour is in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. We have to ask the question: Would we ask Guru Nanak Dev Ji to go to a club? In the Sikh religion, meat, tobacco and other drugs are considered sinful, yet we consume them in the presence of our Guru.

This is considered a highly insulting and blasphemous act that is punishable by Sri Akaal Takht Sahib, as we are violating an order given in 1998, which was again repeated in 2006.

This is a humble plea to all Sikhs, please give Guru Granth Sahib Ji the respect it truly deserves. Let’s stop taking Guru Granth Sahib Ji to hotels, and clubs, etc and start using the Gurdware our parents have spent thousand of pounds on building.