SGSSS Executive Committee Statement Regarding Relocation of ‘Painting’ in Havelock Road Gurdwara
The Executive Committee sincerely regrets that this incident has
occurred as it shows the whole Sikh community in a bad light.
Unfortunately a lot of misinformation has been put out regarding the
incident. The executive committee wishes to clarify some of the
misconceptions:
The painting and frame was a large structure, which had been
displayed in front of the lift at Havelock Road; the lift design is very
open and of a glass construction which makes the inside of it very
visible. Because of recurrent unpleasant incidents that have been taking
place inside it, and having taken advice, it was decided, on Health
& Safety grounds, to move the painting into the library (it should
be noted that paintings/pictures in the Sikh faith are not revered and
the usual convention is that paintings and pictures should be displayed
in library areas – in the Golden Temple complex in India paintings and
pictures are displayed in a separate building -not in the Gurdwaras).
The painting was removed and relocated on a prominent wall in the
library.
At the same time, 16 display frames (A1 size) were put up in the
landing of the foyer area for the forthcoming display of the exhibition
of the ‘First Khalsa Raj’ (this exhibition is costing approximately
£5000 and some of the prints will be seen for the first time depicting
the Raj of Banda Singh Bahadur) this will be opened on Sunday 17
February.
Some persons in the congregation made objections that the painting
had been removed; those objections were answered; however, there was
still a strong feeling amongst some of them as it depicted a significant
Sikh historical incident.
These issues were discussed and the concerns addressed in the early
hours of Friday morning; and an undertaking was given that serious
consideration to relocate the painting back in the foyer area will be
done by the executive committee (the meeting was arranged for Sunday 3rd
February).
On Friday evening some members of the Sangat, and many persons from
outside the area, used intimidating gestures and bad language and stated
that they were going to remove the painting from the library and put it
back in its original setting. Despite repeated requests, and also
explaining that the situation was going to be considered by the
executive committee on Sunday they still persisted in their threats and
indeed were bullying and trying to intimidate a committee member saying
that they were going to break down the library door and remove it by
force.
The Executive Committee member (Mr Satnam Singh Virdee, Stage Sec)
stood his ground despite this intimidation. Because of the likelihood of
disorder and physical assault and with great regret the police were
informed and they attended.
Late on Friday evening mediation discussions were held and various
options considered (including bringing out the painting and resting it
on a table in the foyer area). Dr Garcha (general secretary); came out
to address those persons who were sitting down; he apologised for any
omissions in communication that were made and in the way the painting
had been relocated, and said that serious consideration will be given by
the executive committee to its relocation back in the foyer area at
their meeting on Sunday.
However , there was a group of persons in the gathering (many of them
had been involved in the disorder outside Park Ave Gurdwara on
11thNovember when Prof Dhunda was doing Katha), whose spokesman said no
matter what the executive committee decided, or what the police were
saying or doing; they would make sure that the painting would be put
back in its original place.
After further consideration and advice it was decided to bring
forward the committee meeting to Saturday (2nd February) and all were
informed. This meeting was duly held, and all the options carefully
considered and the Executive Committee decided that the painting will be
relocated in the foyer area; and two prominent sites were proposed, and
the proposal made to the persons gathered in the foyer area which
addressed both their wishes and Health & Safety issues. This was
stated to those gathered by the President Mr Himmat Singh Sohi.
Most of those present agreed with the one of the options –to have it
located permanently in front of the Langar (community Kitchen area).
However, there was an element in the group who persisted in saying that
the painting will go back in its original place or demanded that there
be a temporary placement in the foyer area and then further
discussions/meetings be held. This was not considered appropriate by
most in the gathering and they agreed that the painting should be
relocated in front of the Langar area.
This was duly undertaken by sewadars from amongst the persons
gathered in the foyer area and those sewadars who had relocated it in
the library. This process was carried out with due humility and
peacefully.
The Management sincerely regrets the inconvenience to the members of
the Sangat who were inconvenienced in their regular Gurdwara attendance;
we kindly request those minority of persons whose inappropriate
language and behaviour led to the police being informed and attending to
reflect on their actions and also those who post one sided views on the
media prematurely as this brings the image of Sikhs into disrepute. The
management will continue to follow closely Akal Takht Maryada in the
best interests of the Sabha.
The executive committee thanks sincerely all those who contributed to
the resolution of the issue; there are lessons to be learned by all. We
pray Waheguruji grants us the wisdom to undertake Sewa for ‘sarbat da
bhalla’ with renewed fervour and humility and grants us the true spirit
of GurSikhi.
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh
