Shrines are sacred

To say religion should be separated from politics is expressed easily enough, as most Sikhs have done in the aftermath of the ugly clashes between sword-wielding members of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and guards of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) Task Force in the Golden Temple on Friday. It is the bounden duty of the moderate majority of Sikhs to ensure that the clashes do not spill over into something nastier that will open up the old wounds of Operation Bluestar of 30 years ago nor, worse, lead to the kind of separatist politics that racked one of the country’s most prosperous states.

In the heat of the moment, words were spoken that could defeat the very spirit of reconciliation and reconstruction. In fact, it was also aired by the irresponsible that Khalistan should be pursued now in the aftermath of the clashes. Sober analysis would have revealed already that the clashes occurred over a silly argument over who should speak first on the anniversary of one of the most painful episodes in the history of Sikhism.

While pockets of hotheadedness may not be uncommon when it comes to sensitive religious matters, it is a matter of shame that the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs should be desecrated by such a clash. The police came to the area but, very rightly, did not enter the holy shrine. This is a matter to be sorted out by an internal enquiry just as it is the duty of the SGPC and Akal Takht jathedars to ensure that needless frisson is staunched.