UK Sikhs oppose replacement of canopy at Nankhana Sahib

Sikhs in the United Kingdom have opposed the proposed replacement of the orginial marble canopy at Guru Nanak's birthplace at Nankana Sahib in Pakistan with a golden palanquin, saying it was a 'strange and ridiculous' move.

"We are deeply disturbed by the decision of the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee to replace the original marble palanquin at Nankana Sahib by a cheap gold-plated canopy," Kartar Lalvani, Patron of the Sikh Society said. The society comprises of Guru Nanak Foundation, Guru Gobind Singh Foundation and the Khalsa College in UK.

"This strange and ridiculous scheme is either due to grave ignorance or owing to mala-fide intention and I only hope that it is more of the former," Lalvani said. "I wonder what is the excuse for removing a valuable historic marble artefact."

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had reportedly expressed reservations over replacement of the marble 'palki'.

Singh, who was scheduled to travel to Pakistan and present the palanquin at a special religious ceremony on November 29, has threatened to stay away from the occasion if the DSGMC went ahead with its intent to demolish the original marble canopy, reports said.

"A large number of Sikhs in the UK are most impressed by the courageous and principled stand taken by the chief minister of Punjab," Lalvani said.