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ਸੋਮਵਾਰ 14 ਸਤੰਬਰ 2020 ਤੋ ਆ ਰਹੇ ਬਦਲਾਅ
14 ਸਤੰਬਰ ਤੋ ਯੂ.ਕੇ’ਚ ਲਾਗੂ ਹੋਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਨਵਾ ਕਨੂੰਨ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਸਾਹਿਬਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਹੋਰ ਧਾਰਿਮਕ ਅਸਥਾਨਾ ਨੂੰਓ ਛੋਟ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਸਾਹਿਬਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਸੰਗਤਾ ਦੀ ਗਿਣਤੀ ਤੇ ਪਾਬੰਦੀ ਲਾਉਣ ਦੀ ਕੋਈ ਲੋੜ ਨਹੀ ਹੈ।
ਕਰੋਨਾ ਵਾਇਰਸ ਦੇ ਬਚਾਅ ਲਈ ਸਿਰਫ ਉਹਨੀਆ ਸੰਗਤਾ ਨੂੰ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਪ੍ਰਵੇਸ਼ ਕਰਵਾਇਆ ਜਾਵੇ ਜਿਤਨੇ ਅਰਾਮ ਨਾਲ ਸਮਾਜਕ ਦੂਰੀ ਬਣਾਈ ਰਖ ਸਕਣ।
ਨਵੇ ਕਨੂੰਨ ਨਾਲ ਸੰਗਤ ਤੇ ਕੀ ਅਸਰ ਪਵੇਗਾ?
- ਨਵੇ ਕਨੂੰਨ ਮੁਤਾਬਿਕ ਜੇ ਤੁਸੀ ਆਪਣੇ ਨਿਜੀ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ (ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾ ਨਾਲ ਤੁਸੀ ਇਕ ਘਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹੋ) ਤੋ ਇਲਾਵਾ ਦੂਸਰਿਆ ਨਾਲ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਸਾਹਿਬਾਨ ਜਾ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ ਤਾਂ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਜੱਥੇ (ਗਰੁਪ) ਦੀ ਗਿਣਤੀ 6 ਤੋ ਵੱਧ ਨਹੀ ਹੋਣੀ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ।ਮਿਸਾਲ ਤੌਰ ਤੇ, ਤੁਸੀ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਸਾਹਿਬਾਨ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਦੇ ਤਿੰਨ ਜੀਅ ਅਤੇ ਤਿੰਨ ਹੋਰ ਦੋਸਤਾ ਨਾਲ ਇਕ ਕਾਫਲੇ’ਚ ਜਾਣਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਤਾਂ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਹਰਲੇ ਤਿੰਨ ਵਿਅਕਤੀਆ ਨਾਲ ਸਮਾਜਕ ਦੂਰੀ ਬਣਾਈ ਰੱਖਣੀ ਜਰੂਰੀ ਹੈ।ਇਸ ਦੀ ਉਲੰਘਨਾ ਕਰਕੇ £3200 ਜਰਮਾਨਾ ਵੀ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ।
- ਮਤਲਬ ਨਿੱਜੀ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ (ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾ ਨਾਲ ਤੁਸੀ ਇਕ ਘਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹੋ) ਤੋ ਇਲਾਵਾ ਹੋਰ ਵਿਅਕਤੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਸਮਾਜਕ ਦੂਰੀ ਬਣਾਈ ਰਖਣਾ ਜਰੂਰੀ ਹੈ।
- ਇਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੀ ਯਾਤਰਾ ਦੌਰਾਨ (ਗੱਡੀ, ਪੈਦਲ ਜਾ ਹੋਰ ਕਿਸੇ ਵੀ ਸਾਧਨ ਨਾਲ), ਘਰੋਂ ਤੁਰਨ ਤੋ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਪ੍ਰਵੇਸ਼ ਕਰਨ ਵੇਲੇ ਅਤੇ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਸਾਹਿਬਾਨ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਵੀ, ਆਪਣੇ ਨਿੱਜੀ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ (ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾ ਨਾਲ ਤੁਸੀ ਇਕ ਘਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹੋ) ਤੋ ਇਲਾਵਾ ਬਾਕੀ ਸਾਰਿਆ ਨਾਲ ਸਮਾਜਕ ਦੂਰੀ ਬਣਾਈ ਰੱਖਣਾ ਲਾਜ਼ਮੀ ਹੈ ਬੇਸ਼ਕ ਤੁਸੀ ਇਕੱਠੇ 6 ਵਿਅਕਤੀਆ ਦਾ ਜੱਥਾ (ਗਰੁਪ) ਹੋਵੋ।
- 6 ਵਿੱਅਕਤੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਪਾਬੰਦੀ ਤੋ ਛੋਟ ਸਿਰਫ ਉਹਨਾ ਪਰਿਵਾਰਾ ਨੂੰ ਹੈ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾ ਵਿੱਚ 6 ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਜੀਅ ਇਕੱਠੇ ਇਕ ਘਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਿਵਾਸ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋਣ। ਧਿਆਨ ਰਹੇ ਕਿ ਜੇ ਸਾਰਾ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜਾ ਹੋਰ ਕਿਤੇ ਵੀ ਇਕੱਠਾ ਜਾਵੇ ਤਾਂ ਠੀਕ ਹੈ ਪਰ ਬਾਹਰਲੇ ਕਿਸੇ ਹੋਰ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਸ਼ਾਮਲ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਮਨਾਹੀ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ।
Changes from Monday 14 September 2020
The new rules being implemented from the 14th September make exemptions for Gurdwaras and other places of worship. Gurdwaras will be able to stay open for the sangat – as is currently the case – and can host more than six people.
The capacity limit for each Gurdwara Sahib should be set by what is possible within COVID19 secure social distancing guidelines for that building.
How does the new rule affect sangat?
The new rule means if you are attending the Gurdwara with others except your family, then the group you are attending with should not exceed more than six people.
For example, if you are coming to the Gurdwara as a family of three, accompanied by three friends, this constitutes as a permissible group of six. However, it is important to maintain social distance from the three members outside your household. Failure to do so could result in fines up to £3200.
Strict social distancing must be maintained between members of different households at all times.
Therefore, when travelling to, entering and inside the Gurdwara Sahib, people should observe strict social distancing from anyone not in their household – even if they are attending as a group of six.
The only exception to this new rule is where a single household (or support bubble) contains more than six people, but the same rules on social interaction should apply. No person who lives separately to this household or is not included in the support bubble is permitted to accompany this larger group.
Download official statement:
14:9:20 NEW RULES FOR GURDWARAS
On Saturday 22nd August, the 5th Administration of Sikh Council UK organised a Sri Akhand Paath at Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick for the chardikala of the Khalsa Panth and all Sikh institutions, including SCUK. President of Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Smethwick, Jaswinder Singh Banka and SCUK Secretary-General, Jatinder Singh addressed the Sangat at the bhog of Akhand Paath Sahib. Both speakers called for the formation of a collaborative and single SCUK to robustly serve the Panth.
Following this, SCUK held it’s 19th General Assembly Meeting for the first time via online video conference due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Provisions were also made for members to attend in person at GNG Smethwick. The Secretary-General determined the GA meeting as quorate with over 140 participants constituting of delegates from Gurdwaras and Sikh Organisations. Observers were welcomed from the professional community, media and wider Sikh community.
Preet Kaur Gill MP, herself a former executive committee member of SCUK, addressed the GA extending her appreciation towards the role of the present executive committee and their engagement with Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations. She highlighted the importance of political engagement by SCUK.
Secretary-General, Jatinder Singh gave an overview of achievements, endeavours and difficulties since the last GA (April 2019), including recent issues with the Board of Jathedars. In this respect, Sukhvinder Singh, Administrative Secretary of SCUK provided members with a timeline of communications between the EC and Board of Jathedars.
Sukhjeevan Singh, Spokesperson SCUK provided a concise overview of expenditure by the current administration. This totalled to £3,722.18. The main costs related to supporting the community during the early stages of the COVID 19 pandemic. The GA resolved that the expenditure should be reimbursed to individuals and organisations that had undertaken this cost.
The General Assembly approved the following special resolutions with consensus:
- Membership Fees:General Assembly resolves that membership fees for the sixth administration (2020-2022) alone is to be suspended (free) due to the COVID19 Pandemic.
- Process for the selection of the next Executive Committee:A selection panel of Five Amritdhari Gursikhs has been appointed by the General Assembly that will select the next executive committee. This panel will be supported by Sukhjeevan Singh.
Panel Members: Pervinder Kaur (Birmingham), Mankamal Singh (London), Harnek Singh (Bradford), Mandeep Singh (Willenhall), 5. Harjeet Singh (Sunderland).
The panel is to appoint the 30-member executive committee, including the five office-bearers.
Nomination forms will be sent on 24th August 2020 and deadline for submitting nominations will be on the 12th September 2020.
Each Gurdwara or membership organisation will be able to make one nomination to the EC.
The selection panel will announce the 6th Administration of Sikh Council UK at the next General Assembly Meeting scheduled for the 26th September 2020. - Changes to the Constitution:
The General Assembly directs the next EC to make all necessary changes to the constitution. The outgoing EC welcomes suggested comments/changes which will be given to the next EC. The EC MUST present the proposals before April 2021. - Assets and Property:
The General Assembly resolves that all assets and property that belong to SCUK are held in the name of the five office bearers in trust for the duration of their tenure and transferred to any new office bearers. - Expert Body:
The General Assembly resolves to develop an alliance of expert individuals to work with SCUK in the areas of their expertise which includes education, healthcare, safeguarding, funding, technology, sports, legal, security and dharmic affairs.
The Executive Committee is still open to dialogue with the Board of Jathedars despite dissident members, however, as clarified in the General Assembly, that excludes the ‘steering group’ as all dialogue must take place within the SCUK constitutional framework.
The Executive Committee of SCUK announced to the General Assembly that in the spirit of unity, humility and transparency they are willing to meet any Gurdwara Management Committees or Sikh Organisations to address any concerns. We urge all Gurdwaras and Sikh Organisations to complete membership forms as soon as possible.
Sukhjeevan Singh
(Spokesperson)
Sikh Council UK
info@sikhcouncil.co.uk
Sikh Council UK strongly condemns Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee, the founder of the Khalsa, authored ‘Gobind Ramayana’. The statement was delivered in a speech by PM Modi during the ‘Bhoomi Poojan’ event at the controversial and highly disputed ‘Raam Janmabhoomi’ at Ayodhya.
Sikhs in the diaspora community are concerned that such comments are motivated by the intention to assimilate India’s minority communities, such as Sikhs, into the fold of the Hindu religion. This concern is escalated when the Prime Minister shares the stage with the chief of the RSS. This organisation includes ‘Hindutva’ (the idea of Hindu hegemony) as its public objectives.
Gurbani (Sikh scripture) makes references to Rama, Krishna and many other deities, including prophets of Abrahamic faiths. However, Modi’s assertion that Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee authored a ‘Ramayana’ like Tulsi or others that eulogised Raama as God is false. Every day, Sikhs across the world listen to the ‘Arti Kirtan’ at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar in which the following words of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee are recited:
ਪਾਇ ਗਹੇ ਜਬ ਤੇ ਤੁਮਰੇ ਤਬ ਤੇ ਕੋਊ ਆਂਖ ਤਰੇ ਨਹੀ ਆਨਯੋ ॥
Since I have clasped your feet (God), I have not even looked at another (deity).ਰਾਮ ਰਹੀਮ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਕੁਰਾਨ ਅਨੇਕ ਕਹੈਂ ਮਤ ਏਕ ਨ ਮਾਨਯੋ ॥
Raama and Raheem (Vedic gods and Abrahmic prophets) have come and scriptures such as the Quran and the Puranas have made many claims – But I (Guru Gobind Singh) do not accept any one of them.(Rama Avtar, Sri Dasam Granth, Sri Guru Gobind Singh)
We urge PM Modi to issue a statement to correct the false reference made to the Bani of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee below:
“In Tamil, we have Kamb Ramayana while in Telugu we have Raghunath and Ranganath Ramayana. We have Ruipad-Katerpadi Ramayan in Odiya, while there is Kumudendu Ramayana in Kannada. In Kashmir, you will find Ramavatar Charit while Ramacharitam in Malayalam.In Bangla, we have Krittibas Ramayana while Guru Gobind Singh has himself written Gobind Ramayana.”
Sukhjeevan Singh
(Spokesperson)
Sikh Council UK
info@sikhcouncil.co.uk
Vaheguru Jee Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Jee Kee Fateh
Dear All,
Fraudulent Activity
We have been made aware of fraudulent activity that may affect your organisation.
You may be approached by an individual or individuals asking to renew your membership and/or join the sixth administration of Sikh Council UK (2020-2022). These individuals are also asking for membership fees to be paid and for application forms to be sent to an unknown Ilford PO BOX from personal non-SCUK email addresses.
We would like to forewarn all our membership organisations and prospective members that this is fraudulent activity. We have reported this to the police and relevant authorities. Please note: SCUK is NOT collecting membership fees/funding and no one has been authorised to do so.
We will be holding an Extraordinary Meeting of the General Assembly on 22nd August 2020 to present a roadmap for the future of SCUK to all GA Members. Any official SCUK communications will be sent from info@sikhcouncil.co.uk.
SIKH COUNCIL UK ANNOUNCES GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING ON 22ND August 2020
Secretary General of SCUK, Jatinder Singh has given the required notice, of four weeks, to all General Assembly Members of an extraordinary meeting of the SCUK General Assembly to be held, on 22nd August 2020. Further details and agenda will be sent shortly.
Jatinder Singh was approached by GA and EC members requesting an extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly. Therefore, as per the constitution, this meeting of the General Assembly must be convened.
Although not constitutionally required, in the interests of a positive outcome for the Sikh Council UK, the executive committee has made continuous effort to liaise and explain our constructive approach to the Board of Jathedars convenors.
Official Press statement on Secretary General’s Announcement to Call GA
The Executive Committee of Sikh Council UK held a virtual meeting on Saturday 11th July 2020. As the leading voice of Sikhs in the UK, it is important that the organisation develops and adapts to best suit Panthic interest in the current environment. We are looking to re-open membership shortly leading to the formation of the next administration.
The Executive Committee feel that there is a much needed review of the constitution and the related governance model. We will be initiating this review in the coming weeks and will welcome input by all Sikhs (sangat), GA members, legal experts, professionals and members of the Board of Jathedars on an individual basis.
If anyone wishes to be a part of the consultation or submit feedback, please email info@sikhcouncil.co.uk
Official Announcement: Announcement 14:7:20
Please see present constitution: Sikh Council Constitution
Please see all resources (posters and signage) available for Gurdwara Sahibs
Please see Guidance on Safe Reopening
HIGH RES PRINT VERSION (Download here)
ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਸਾਹਿਬਾਨ ਦੇ ਦੁਬਾਰਾ ਦਰਸ਼ਨਾ ਲਈ ਖੁਲਣ ਸਨਬੰਧੀ ਸਿਖ ਕੌਂਸਲ ਯੂ.ਕੇ ਵਲੋਂ ਤਿਆਰ ਕੀਤੇ ਪੋਸਟਰ ਅਤੇ ਸਾਈਨਜ਼ ਨੂੰ ਪਿ੍ਰੰਟ ਕਰਵਾ ਕੇ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਸਾਹਿਬਾਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਲਗਾਓ। ਵਧੇਰੇ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਅਤੇ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਲਈ ਈ-ਮੇਲ ਕਰੋ.
All our resources and guidance(s) are available for Gurdwara Sahibaan to print and display to Sangat and/or adapt for use in the Gurdwara Sahib.
For more information/support please email: info@sikhcouncil.co.uk and we will be able to arrange a phone consultation/visit dependant on your needs.
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government Robert Jenrick has announced that places of worship will be able to open for ‘individual prayer’ from Monday 15th June.
For Sikhs, this means Gurdwaras will be able to allow Sadh-Sangat to come for the Darshan of Sri Guru Granth Jee Maharaj, our eternal living Guru.
Please click below for the tweet and video published by Robert Jenrick earlier today.
According to reports in the media, PM Boris Johnson will update his cabinet on Tuesday and make the detailed announcement later that day.
Sikh Council UK has been actively challenging the Government’s ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach towards places of worship and Gurdwaras since the onset of lockdown. Our aim has been to educate policy-makers and officials of the unique requirements of Sikhi. A Gurdwara is not just a place of worship but the gateway to accessing the darshan of our living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee. Please see our correspondence:
First Joint Letter to Secretary of State
Second Joint Letter to SS Robert Jenrick
We have prepared and collated specialist guidance to safely reopen Gurdwaras. We will be adding to our resources in the coming days: Guidance to Safely Reopen Gurdwaras
Sangat around the country has been yearning for Darshan as it is an essential part of Sikh life and instructed by Gurbani:
ਝਖੜੁ ਝਾਗੀ ਮੀਹੁ ਵਰਸੈ ਭੀ ਗੁਰੁ ਦੇਖਣ ਜਾਈ ॥੧੩॥
ਸਮੁੰਦੁ ਸਾਗਰੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਬਹੁ ਖਾਰਾ ਗੁਰਸਿਖੁ ਲੰਘਿ ਗੁਰ ਪਹਿ ਜਾਈ ॥੧੪॥
ਜਿਉ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਜਲ ਬਿਨੁ ਹੈ ਮਰਤਾ ਤਿਉ ਸਿਖੁ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਮਰਿ ਜਾਈ ॥੧੫॥
ਜਿਉ ਧਰਤੀ ਸੋਭ ਕਰੇ ਜਲੁ ਬਰਸੈ ਤਿਉ ਸਿਖੁ ਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਬਿਗਸਾਈ ॥੧੬॥
