Sukhwinder Singh Bohru

Sukhwinder Singh Bohru 

Spokesman News Service: 

More than 250“paathis” (Sikh priests) who perform “Akhand Path” at the Golden Temple, staged a protest against the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Monday seeking hike in their salaries.

The “paathis” gathered near the Akal Takht and raised slogans against the SGPC alleging that their demands were repeatedly being ignored by the management. As a result no “Akhand Path” (continuous recitation of sacred religious texts of Sikhism) was held at the shrine.

The agitating “paathis” sat in the Golden Temple “parikrama” and demanded that offering given to them for each “path” should be raised from Rs 600 to Rs 1,000. They also demanded medical and educational facilities equivalent to that given to SGPC permanent employees. The protesters sought interest against the Rs 7,500 security deposit with the SGPC.

Talking to media, the representatives of Pathis', Shivdev Singh, Harpal Singh and Hardev Singh said that they are continously putting their demands to SGPC head Kirpal Singh Badungar but nothing has been done so far. They told that a member is admitted in the hospital and the authorities demanded Rs 8 lakh for his surgery but SGPC didn't come for his help.  

The “paathis” later expressed satisfaction over the increase in the offering and decided to resume work. An “akand path” by former deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and his wife Union minister Harsimrat Badal was conducted by a “granthi” instead of a “paathi”.

“The protest on the premises the Golden Temple is unfortunate. People come here with humility and such an agitation is condemnable,” said Harsimrat.