AMRITSAR Days after a fashion designer and lifestyle influencer Archana Makwana hurt Sikh sentiments by performing yoga in parkarma of Sri Darbar Sahib and making pictures of this act viral over social media, Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on Wednesday said Sri Darbar Sahib is not the place of photography and its sanctity and sacredness must be protected at every cost. 

He was delivering his address during the function organized to celebrate foundation of the highest Sikh temporal seat. 

He instructed the Sangat coming to pay obeisance at Sri Darbar Sahib which is also known as Sri Harmandar Sahib and Golden Temple, to take care of the Maryada while they are inside the complex of this holy Sikh place. 

He said that devotees should keep their phones switched off keeping in mind the Maryada at Sri Darbar Sahib. Along with this, he also specifically said that the artists who come to pay obeisance here should not use this holy place for the promotion of their films but should get spiritual power from here. He also urged the devotees to stand wherever they are inside the complex of Sri Darbar Sahib and participate, when the Ardas (Sikh prayers) is being offered at this Central Sikh place, so that the ancient Maryada is maintained.

Giani Raghbir Singh said that Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib established Sri Akal Takht Sahib in front of the center of spirituality Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, so that a Sikh who follows the path of spirituality is not dependent on someone else politically. 

He said that the Sikhs have to perform their religion and politics only in the shelter and faith of an Akal Purakh (Timeless Being). The Jathedar said that this is why Sri Akal Takht Sahib has always been seen as a challenge in the eyes of worldly thrones. He said that the rulers of the time from Abdali to Indira Gandhi attacked to damage Sri Akal Takht Sahib, but the glory of Sri Akal Takht Sahib is still intact, but the world saw the end of attackers. He said that the Sikhs became masters of their own kingdom by taking guidance from Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Maharaja Ranjit Singh ruled for forty years and gave the world a kingdom of kindness. 

Giani Raghbir Singh said that Sikhs have always kept their faces towards Sri Harmandar Sahib and Sri Akal Takht Sahib while traveling in every region of the world, but today’s political people have turned their backs towards these holy Sikh places and faces towards Delhi, due to which, the Sikh politics is becoming weak.

The Jathedar said that if the Sikh political people again turn their faces towards Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib and Sri Akal Takht Sahib, then the Sikhs will definitely rule the state again. Emphasizing the need to guard Sikh principles, traditions and Maryada (conduct), the Jathedar said that when we are theoretically and principally mature, the hand of the Akal Purakh will be on our shoulders. Today, we need to gather under the umbrella of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, guarding the Guru princicples, to get out of the situation of fruitless efforts.