High Court upholds SGPC decision on admissions to its institutions
'Religion can’t be changed as per convenience'
In a historical judgement, The Punjab and Haryana High court have concluded that kesh (unshorn hair)are an integral part of the Sikh faith and that basic tenets of a religion cannot be changed to suit some needs or with changes in time. A three-member division bench of Justice Jagdish Sikh, Justice Jasbir Singh and Justice A.K. Mittal have given this decision with regards to an admission case in SGPC instituition. Applicant Gurleen Kaur from Gurdaspur and others had claimed admission under the Sikh-quota at Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Amritsar. They had challenged Sikh Gurdwara Act in which it is stated that those who trim beard or thread their eye-brows are not Sikhs. They were not admiited to the course on the grounds that they were threading their brows and trimming their beards.
High Court upheld the SGPC Institute’s decision to not give admission in such cases to the claiming parties. The division bench in its 154 page judgement said that it was not a question of debate but a matter of faith. Religion cannot be changed as per one’s convenience or with changing times. It said that everyone in the Sikh faith unanimously agrees to the fact that kesh are integral part of the Sikh faith and this cannot be damaged by citing modernity.
It states that Guru Granth Sahib does not define an Amritdhari, Sehajdhari or Patit Sikhs. Guru Granth Sahib teaches spirituality and morality. And Sikh history, institutions and intellectuals are all unison on the fact that unshorn hair are integral part of the faith.
what do u think about it?
have u ever thread ur brows or ur beard?
