AMRITSAR: A row has begun over Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak committe (SGPC) decision of stopping of giving 'parsad' of Patasa and Siropa as Guru's blessings to the devotees visitng Sri Harmandir Sahib here. The Sikh bodies have targeted SGPC president Bibi Jagor Kaur for discontinuing the age old tradition.
Prof. Sarchand Singh a spokesman of Damdami Taksalin a letter to Akal Taljt Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said that Harmandir Sahib is the central hub of the Sikh community and Sikh customs. Not only a Sikh but a religious person from all over the world longs for Darshan Ishnan of Sri Harmandir Sahib.
He added that everyone considers the blessings of Sri Darbar Sahib and the opportunity to wear the Prasad of Patasas on their foreheads as a blessing.
He said that it was not a new tradition to distribute karah prasad as well as patas prasad inside Golden Temple, the tradition of patas has been going on since Guru's time.
In ancient times, Bhai Mani Singh Ji Shaheed along with Karah Prasad also kept the tradition of Patasis prevalent. Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj's preparation of Amrit for the creation of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh, he added.
Sarchand Singh said that Sikhs in India and abroad are unhappy over the SGPC decision and requested the Akal Talht Jathedar to restore the practice.
SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur defending the decision justified the closure of "Patasa" Prasad and Siropa Blessing on offering prayers inside Harmandir Sahib or offering Rumala Sahib to Guru Granth Sahib as a violation of tradition.