Harmandir Sahib Ardas Sevadar Refuses Siropa to Sukhbir badal

AMRITSAR SAHIB — Breaking away from tradition, Bhai Balbir Singh ‘ardasia’ (ardas sevadar) at Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib, Darbar Sahib, Sri Amritsar, today refused to present siropa (Sikh robe of honour) to Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal.

Sukhbir was at Sri Harmandir Sahib on January 20, along with several other leaders of the Akali Dal (Badal) and his personal security guards. Around 7 AM, as Sukhbir entered Sri Harmandir Sahib from the VVIP lane, Bhai Balbir Singh was asked to present a siropa to him, however, considering the recent cases of sacrilege in Punjab, the elderly sevadar refused to present siropa.

As Bhai Balbir Singh refused to honour Sukhbir Badal, another SGPC employee had to be called to present siropa. Sukhbir was here to launch Khadoor Sahib by-poll election campaign.

Since the incident took place yesterday, the SGPC executives have been under a lot of pressure to take stern action against Bhai Balbir Singh. After the incident, Bhai Balbir Singh was asked by the SGPC to explain the refusal to present siropa. Bhai Balbir Singh said he doesn’t know if his action was right or wrong, however Guru Ramdas ji knows why he took the step.

“Whatever happened to several saroops of Guru Granth Sahib was much worse, but nothing was done against that,” he asked.

While pro-Badal SGPC executives are upset, a number of Darbar Sahib sevadars have appreciated the step. Hazoori Ragi Bhai Harcharan Singh posted Bhai Balbir Singh’s picture on his Facebook wall, appreciating his courage and bold stance.

Originally published by: Sikh24 News