Controversy over gurdwara name to be solved soon

Ravneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 27

Gurudwara Akali Baba Phoola Singh in Urban Estate, Phase II, whose name was changed to Dera Akali Baba Phoola Singh Ji, will again be called a gurdwara. This is after a sub-committee formed by the SGPC investigated into the matter.

The Tribune had reported about the controversial change in the name of Gurudwara Akali Baba Phoola Singh to Dera Akali Baba Phoola Singh Ji in August last year. 

Later, the SGPC formed a committee to look into the matter. The DC also marked an inquiry over a tussle to a SDM-level official.

Officials from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) said the name of the gurdwara was changed to ‘dera’ maliciously and the committee would ensure the matter was resolved by formation of a new management committee in the gurudwara.

Jarnail Singh Kartarpur, executive member, SGPC, and a member of the committee which is investigating the matter, said the gurdwara name would be changed back from dera to gurudwara. “According to our findings, the place is a gurdwara as per its allotment by the Patiala Urban Planning and Development Authority (PDA) and it should remain so. It was changed to a dera by some members of the shrine’s committee. Now, we will form a new management committee in the gurudwara.”

He said elections for various posts in the gurdwara would take place as per the demands of residents. “The matter in the gurdwara is controversial, therefore, the district administration has also been asked to be present to maintain decorum. The billboard of the gurudwara would also be changed back,” he added.

As per the documents available with The Tribune, Balwinder Singh, Secretary, SGPC, recently sent a letter to Deputy Commissioner Kumar Amit on directions of Giani Harpreet Singh Jathedar, Akal Takht, to assist the formation of a new committeeafter receiving reports from the sub-committee formed to look into the matter.

The controversy

The controversy in the shrine evolved after the gurdwara was turned into a ‘dera’ in August last year. The billboard of the shrine was changed after a conflict erupted among two factions in the management committee, reportedly over control of the ‘golak’ (money box). The gurdwara earlier called ‘Gurudwara Akali Baba Phoola Singh Ji’ was changed to ‘Dera Shaheed Akali Baba Phoola Singh Ji’. Soon after, the SGPC formed a committee to probe the matter.

Meanwhile, a retired government official, who is a resident of the Urban Estate, Phase II, said, “We will not allow those who changed the name of the shrine to ‘dera’ to be part of the process of formation of the committee. Officials from the SGPC and district administration will ensure proper procedure and law and order.”