In wake of increasing craze of taking selfies, The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) decided to ban photography and videography inside the Harmandir Sahib (also known as Golden Temple) complex.
The photography and videography is already prohibited inside the sanctum sanctorum and on the passage from ‘Darshani Deodi’ to sanctum sanctorum. However, it was allowed in ‘parkarma’ of the sarovar (holy tank) and the devotees could be seen taking selfies, clicking pictures and shooting videos with their smartphones.
However, the SGPC now has put up a notice in three languages — Punjabi, English and Hindi — prohibiting photography and videography in the precincts of the Golden Temple.
SGPC justifies decision
The SGPC clarified that the restriction is not applicable on photojournalists who cover visits by dignitaries and other events of religious or political significance inside the premises. Similarly, professional documentary makers, too, could be allowed to shoot films that are religious in content subject to prior permission from the SGPC.
Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar Manager Jaswinder Singh Deenpur said, “The Golden Temple is centre of spiritualism and its holiness and sanctity is recognised across the world. Many devotees come here for peace of mind, meditation and enjoying the spiritual atmosphere”.
“As use of smartphones has increased, the craze of taking selfies, clicking photographs and videography have also increased. This craze vitiates the religious and spiritual atmosphere of the shrine. So, we decided to impose this ban,” he added.
SGPC chief secretary Dr Roop Singh observed that selfies clicked by most of the visitors in various poses and styles with Golden Temple in the backdrop appeared derogatory.
Dr Roop Singh said, “True devotees would seldom focus on clicking pictures as they revere the shrine with utmost devotion. Others consider the shrine as a tourist spot and capture their moments in a picnic mood. We have imposed restriction on the second category of visitors. Also, hoards of visitors gather at the entrance to click pictures with their cameras and phones, thus creating hindrance in the movement of devotees at the parikrama,” .
Ban on photography draws flak
The SGPC’s move to ban photography and videography on the premises of the Golden Temple has not gone down well with Sikh scholars and devotees even as the religious body justified it saying that the decision has been taken to maintain serenity and spiritual ambiance of the shrine.
The ban has drawn criticism from various quarters. Madan Lal of Solan, who paid obeisance at the shrine today, said he was unaware of the rule and was stopped by an SGPC staffer when he tried to click pictures. “I am a matured person and came here with my family. How could they doubt my devotion towards the shrine? People take pictures for the sake of memory and it should be allowed,” he said.
Similarly, some students from Mumbai, who visited the Golden Temple for the first time, were a dejected lot. Deepak, an engineering student, said: “It is our hard luck that the orders were implemented on our maiden visit. Instead of a blanket ban of photography, the SGPC should keep a vigil on non-serious crowd.”
Former Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib Giani Kewal Singh said the orders should be withdrawn immediately.
“Rather, the SGPC should insist on the visitors to maintain the sanctity and maryada of the shrine. The ban order will be seen as a negative step,” he said.
Sikh scholar Ashok Kumar Bagaria said it was a narrow thinking on part of the SGPC to implement such dictatorial orders.
May review decision, says Roop Singh
Dr Roop Singh, SGPC chief secretary, however, softened his stance when apprised of the resentment among visitors who come from far off places.
“We may think of allowing the visitors to click pictures, but only under strict supervision,” he said.
Earlier, Dr Roop Singh said: “True devotees would seldom focus on clicking pictures as they revere the shrine with utmost devotion. Others consider the shrine as a tourist spot and capture their moments in a picnic mood. We have imposed restriction on the second category of visitors. Also, hoards of visitors gather at the entrance to click pictures with their cameras and phones, thus creating hindrance in the movement of devotees at the parikrama,” he said.