Sikhism: Gurudwara Reform Movement

This reform of Singh Sabha Movement generated a popular movement called Akali (immortal) Movement, which rebelled to free the Gurudwara from the control of Brahmin priests and the maladministration of their worship. For this cause Sikhs had to clash with the British government and fought five years peacefully in order to establish their right of managing their shrines. So this was a period of suffering for their faith. They refused Brahmin priesthood and Hindu rituals brought into the Gurudwaras ignoring the fundamental principles of Sikhism.

The British Deputy Commissioner controlled Golden Temple at Amritsar and appointed a Sikh as Manager. There were idols set up in the Gurudwara premises and Hindu pundits and astrologers doing their work. Pilgrims from backward classes were not allowed into the Hari Mandir before 9:00 AM. These practices were opposed to the teachings of Sikhism, which did not permit observance of caste or worship of images. At its session in April 1907 the Khalsa-Diwan of Lahore proposed that the manager of the Golden Temple appointed by the British government should be removed and a committee of Sikh chiefs should be appointed in his place. The teachers and students of Khalsa College organized a meeting of Sikh backward castes on October 12, 1920 in Amritsar. When some of them taken to the Hari Manidr Brahmin priest opposed to accept “Kare Prasad” – an offering they brought. There was protest against this discrimination towards the so- called low caste Sikhs. The Deputy Commissioner appointed a committee of management consisting of nine members, all reformers, with the manager of the Golden Temple as president.

Akalis started to free their holy places and the delegates, who would meet on November 15, 1920, were asked to fulfill five conditions:

1. They had received Amrit (the Sikh initiation).
2. They were regular in reading the daily hymns.
3. They kept the Sikh form and symbols.
4. They were early risers.
5. They gave regularly one tenth of their earnings for common religious purpose.

Though government appointed a committee of 36 Sikhs two days before to the proposed meeting, nevertheless, the Sikhs held their scheduled meeting on Nov. 15th and formed a committee of 175 which was called Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee (S.G.P.C). They included 36 members appointed by government to avoid conflict with the officials. The first session of the SGPC was held on Dec. 12th 1920 and five leaders were appointed to examine the loyalty of the members to their religion. Sardar Majithia was elected as the first president of the SGPC and obtained legal sanction as a public body on April 30, 1921.

The SGPC became a focal point for the reformation of Sikh religious institutions and endowments. Gurudwaras came under its control one by one, though there was strong opposition from Brahmin priests. Some of the reformers lost their lives, particularly under the attack of Hindu Mahanth Narayan Das in Nanakan with the help of 400 hired assassins on Feb. 20th 1921. Many were butchered and burnt in the flame within the Temple precincts; some were fastened to a tree and burnt alive. Gurugranth was torn with rifle shots and the sacred sanctuary was full of blood and smoldering flesh.

The government imprisoned some of the reformers opposing reforms. The government had taken the keys of the Golden Temple treasury on Nov. 7th 1921, which act offended the Sikhs very deeply. The SGPC protested strongly and asked the Sikhs to hold assemblies to condemn the action of the government. Finally, under the presence of the great agitation, the government returned the keys. There were disputes about temple property and land for which Sikhs were persecuted. Sikhs learned new heroism through suffering. The government declared the SGPC as unlawful association. After a long battle the government agreed to give the management of Sikh shrines to Sikhs and the “Sikh Gurudwara Act” was passed on July 25, 1925. A central Gurudwara Board elected by the Sikhs was to be the custodian of all the important Sikh places of worship. The first Gurudwara board passed a resolution that it is called SGPC and the government accepted this. Approximately 40,000 were arrested and 400 died in Akali agitation for Gurudwara reforms.

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