Income hit, ‘pathis’ claim SGPC offering little help

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 6

As a precautionary measure in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the SGPC had to temporarily suspend the roster of “akhand path” at the Golden Temple complex and other Sikh shrines under its control. The move drastically dented the income of “pathis” (priests), which is calculated on the basis of shifts.

Around 8,000 “pathis” are associated with the SGPC on provisional basis at its gurdwaras across the state, including 900 at the Golden Temple, 500 each at Gurdwara Shahidan Sahib and Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib and 150 each at Gurdwara Budha Sahib and Gurdwara Baba Bakala.

Income hit, ‘pathis’ claim SGPC offering little help

Akhand paths are being resumed in the shrines in a phased manner. I will direct the gurdwara managements to distribute essential items among the ‘pathis’ on priority. —Gobind Singh Longowal, SGPC President

The SGPC charges Rs 8,500 from a devotee for an “akhand path”, generally performed by six “pathis” who take turns reading the sacred text. Upon completion, each “pathi” is paid Rs 900 per session.

Tarsem Singh Wadali, a “pathi”, said they were being subjected to step-motherly treatment. “What is the point of spending crores on others when the SGPC’s staffers and their children are living in penury? All our pleas to president Gobind Singh Longowal and Akal Takht Jathedar for monetary aid fell on deaf ears,” he said.

Mahail Singh, a “pathi” at Thatha village gurdwara, said: “I have taken Rs 22,000 from a moneylender on high interest to meet my daily expenses. We feel completely neglected.”

Another “pathi” Mohan Singh said: “We have asked the SGPC to distribute among us the interest it earned on the security amount collected from us at the time of appointment, but in vain.”