Disrespect Towards Sikh Scriptures & Gurbani

To:  British Library

The British Library is currently presenting an exhibition called ‘Faith and Brotherhood: Treasures of the Sikhs’ running from July to September 2004.

As part of this exhibition, the British Library decided to display a puratan saroop of Adi Guru Granth Sahib ji in a glass cabinet! Visitors were walking around with shoes on, without their heads covered etc. If that was not enough, they also exhibited Sri Dasam Granth Ji without any cloth coverings.

The backlash from the Sikh Community resulted in the immediate withdrawal of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and a public apology from the Library.

Despite further pressure from Sikhs around the world the British Library is refusing to revoke Sri Dasam Granth Ji from the display. The Library has issued a statement saying:

“[we] understand that within the Sikh community itself there is no unanimity regarding its authority and status.” Michael O’Keefe (British Library)

What right does the British Library have to interpret what the beliefs of the Sikh faith are?

The fact is that Jaap Sahib, Akal Ustat, Bachitar Natak, TvaPrasaad Svaiya, and Kabyo Baach Benti Chaupai Sahib are all unanimously agreed to be Gurbani. The Library has no right to differentiate between Gurbani and treat it differently.

It has emerged that the British Library have not taken any advice from Sikh historians or organisations (religious or otherwise) about what is appropriate.

Khalsa Ji, you must voice your objection to this exhibition by demanding:
1) That Sri Dasam Granth Ji and other Gurbani Gutkas should be removed from exhibition immediately; and
2) The British Library must put procedures in place to ensure disrespect like this does not happen again and that the Rehat Maryada is followed at all times in relation to Gurbani manuscripts.

Please take a few minutes to add you name & email address to the attached link which will send your complaint directly to the Chief Executive of the Library - Lynne Brindley.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Disrespect Towards Sikh Scriptures & Gurbani Petition to British Library was created by and written by Bhai Fauja Singh ji (gursikhsglobally@khalsa.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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