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Historic Indian Sikh shrine bans women who dye their hair from performing kirtans One of Indias historical Sikh shrines, Gurdwara Santokhsar in Amritsar, has banned women who dye their hair from performing kirtans, according to Times of India. Dyeing hair violates the Sikh rehat maryada or code of conduct, according to Pratap Singh, manager of the Golden Temple. Singh warned women performing the devotional hymns at the historic Santokhsar shrine against dyeing their hair. But the women ignored the warning and this step had to be taken, he said. Singh said that the women who were asked not to perform the kirtans were not employees of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, which manages the Santokhsar shrine. According to SGPCs Sikh code of conduct, any Sikh is liable for reprimand if he dyes his beard. Local Sikh politician Baldev Singh Sirsa criticized the decision saying, No one can stop any devotee from performing kirtan. Its their religious right. Sirsa also demanded that the committee scrutinize how many of its employees and members dye their hair. Maryada should be uniform for all and not selective. SGPC should identify its members, office-bearers and employees who dye their hair and take strict action against them, Sirsa said. Source - http://www.vancouverdesi.com/news/india/historic-indian-sikh-shrine-bans-women-who-dye-their-hair-from-performing-kirtans/787431/