Ban On Short Hair Marriages

[anjaan]

Gurdwara ban on short-hair marriage

PARVINDER BHATIA

Jamshedpur, March 13: Buoyed by the success of the ban imposed on jeans-clad women from entering the Gurdwara premises, the Central Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committee (CGPC) here has decided to ban Sikhs with trimmed hair from getting married at gurdwaras.

According to CGPC officials, the step has been taken to uphold the religious customs of the community. They said the decision was taken after consulting senior members of the community. CGPC has written to the heads of 23 Gurdwara prabandhak committees in the city to implement the decision.

It has also warned the committees of strict action if they were found flouting the orders. “The holy books have some directives on hair in our religion but it is sad that people, especially the youths, are shaving their beards and heads and disowning the sacred beliefs. It is essential to create an awareness among them,” said Sardar Shailendar Singh, a senior official of the CGPC.

Members, men or women, with trimmed hair will not be allowed to perform “Anand Kharaj” (a religious marriage ceremony) on the Gurdwara premises. Senior CGPC vice-president Harbhajan Singh said the decision would work as a pressure tactic on youths so that they will learn to respect their hair.

“Hair is the identity of a Sikh but it is sad that trimming of hair has become a sort of fashion among youths. We have to make them realise the importance of our beliefs. The ban will also serve an eye opener for parents,” he said.

Singh, who is also the president of Sonari Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committee said the Gurdwaras have already started implementing the decision. However, the decision taken by the central body is set to snowball into a controversy as some members have started voicing their protest.

FULL ARTICLE ON SIKHNET

[Guest Akaal108]

I strongly disagree with the division within sikh community where one side - Amridharis/keshadharis and other side- Sehajdhari and Monaie Sikhs and they are both clashing or hating with each other.

But I agree with their move because of their intentions behind this decision is not to discriminate but do parchar of Sikh Dharam ..especially in these rural areas where youths are giving up their indentity because of inferiority complex and givin up to the drugs... i mean they gotta do something..they can't just sit and do anything about this growing problem...so they decided to do this... may be it just an "experiment" they are trying to do ... if it works well as in people are coming back to the roots and learning about the great sikh history.. they should keep up this ban until they are satisfied with the numbers within the area... otherwise if this decision creates an chain reaction then they should lift up this ban otherwise it will just built momentum of hate between amritdharis and monaie which frankly nobody wants... .!

I hope this decision does not spread in all gurdwara's in india otherwise it will cause havoc...because i think this case is expectional due to circumstances but this should not be never ever in an offical sikh rehat maryada.

[anjaan]

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050314/asp/...ory_4490455.asp

i reckn this is more likely to push people further away from Sikhi rather than encourage and embrace them...on the other hand it may get some people to think, i dunno...

[Ranz_Killa]

so Where will people, who have got hair cut, but have some love for sikhi, or perhaps are buildin their way up to sikhi, get married?

hmm.. i dunno...

wa vea happens, hope it is good for sikhi

[guruji's_student]

fateh

i think that is very wrong!

as it should be look at your own sikhi and then judge others!

ok fair enough a lot ofpeople cut there hair but to do that is making out that sikhi is judgemntal and everybody should be one way...which is wrong!

[All-Info]

I agree with the principle to an extent. I cut my hair for well over 18yrs, then woke up and havent cut it since december 2003. Therefore understand what the committee is saying but lets face some facts involved with this procedure.

1. You will push people away from Sikhi

2. People will get married outside of the Gurdwara

3. Preventing a sikhi, whether he has cut hair or not is wrong if in a Gurdwara to see my guru as that one visit may be the change he or she needs..

But most of all. What happened with the Respect for Guru Ji Campaign? Was this not in a similar way? Maharaj being taken to dirty places because supposedly the Gurdwara charged to much for a wedding (and obviously a hotel is charging less... <_< @ ) But point being this will only increase these types of weddings as some <banned word filter activated> is going to make money by arranging weddings in "Clean" halls and still the Anand Kharaj will go ahead.

"Quote

Defeats the whole point really.

Members, men or women, with trimmed hair will not be allowed to perform “Anand Kharaj” (a religious marriage ceremony) on the Gurdwara premises. Senior CGPC vice-president Harbhajan Singh said the decision would work as a pressure tactic on youths so that they will learn to respect their hair."

If the youth dont respect the hair now, what makes you think they will respect it after they are turned away?

Like i said, i agree with what is trying be done BUT look at the long term damage to Sikhi. If Sikhs are pushed away, what will make them want to continue Sikhi in their family (ie the next generation).

I was also told by a wise person once, the Anand Kharaj, was only performed for Amritdhari Gursikhs. If this is the case, when will this come into play again? Purely for those who are Kesh Dhari but have not yet been called to give their heads will they too be excluded?

I agree to an extent but there are long term thoughts which to be done. The action in my humble opinion needs to be reviewd.

Sorry for any offense caused.

All-Info

[ms514]

Sat Sri Akal:

A good measure written in piss-poor language. The youth respond to explanation and rational discussion...not threats and intimidation, which this article insinuates in the language (or perhaps it is the newspaper writer's slant on the matter, something that should not be dismissed). Youth, whenever pressured, rebel. It is their nature. However, this rebellion is only comabatted with understannding and open, friendly dialouge.

[HSD]

Hello All

A sikh is a sikh, wether he has cut hair or not. I wear a turban and am proud, but I have to disagree with the ruling.

Everyone should be welcome in a Sikh temple and there should be no diference between sikhs.

We have more important issues to disguss, then upsetting fellow sikhs.

No one is perfect.

There are other ways to deal with this issue.

on the day the clean shaven person with cut hair should wear a turban and grow his beard for the occasion

[Akaali]

I agree with the ruling, its a good step. <_<

Do you think Guru Gobind Singh Sahib would give them blessings even though the bride or groom has not followed his hukam and taken amrit? He would tell them both to become a Khalsa, only then will he give his full blessings.

Rehat pyaari mujh ko sikh pyara nahe||

If they have a hair cut and don't follow the hukam of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, they are not a Sikh and can goto a mandir or mosque for all I care. Harsh words for a harsh reality. :wub:

[The Khalsa Fauj]

I agree with the decision. Very good. Only Amritdharis be allowed? I don't mind!