AMRITSAR: Dal Khalsa has said it was "highly anguished" at the unending politicalisation of the issue of carrying and movement of Guru Granth Sahib from one place to another in various sections of the media by two major institutions of the Sikh nation, namely the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committeee and the Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee.

At a high-level meeting of the office bearers of the Dal Khalsa held at the head office in Amritsar, it was unanimously resolved to make a fervent appeal to both the organizations to stop their tirade against each other on this issue which has seriously jeopardized the reputation of the Sikhs and has inflicted pain to all devout Sikhs worldwide. Dal Khalsa exhorted both the august bodies to immediately stop pointing fingers at each other and instead call a closed-door meeting of all Panthic bodies at the Akal Takht Sahib to evolve a consensus on the subject. It said it was convinced that this is an internal matter of the Sikhs and should be resolved as such.

Clearly stating that at this stage, Dal Khalsa was not taking any sides, the organisation said the Akal Takht Hukamnamma on the subject must be implemented in letter and spirit. Moreover, neither the SGPC nor the DSGMC should attempt to monopolise the logistical aspect of printing, publishing and transportation of Guru Granth Sahib. "Religious organisations have documented the failure of both the bodies in the provision of Gutkas, Sainchis and Guru Granth Sahib to individuals and Gurdwaras over the last many decades," it said.

It appealed to the wider media to desist from taking any position on the subject which does not have any religious or traditional background.