M A I N   N E W S

Female ragis at Golden Temple?
By Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

ANANDPUR SAHIB, April 12 — For the women and men gathered in the pandal outside Gurdwara Takht Kesgarh Sahib today, it was an evening of meaningful discourse on the key role of woman in Sikh history. That the feminist crowd responded to the message was clear from the periodic chant of “Bole so nihal”.

Although the audience at the women’s conference, organised today by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) as part of the concluding celebrations of the tercentenary of the Khalsa, was thinner than expected, the speakers, including the SGPC President, Bibi Jagir Kaur, more than compensated by forcefully driving home the message of “supremacy of women” propagated by the 10 Sikh Gurus.

Guru Nanak who called women “the source of creation” was quoted repeatedly, the dominant message being “So kyon manda akhiye, jit jamme rajan”. Interestingly, this time there were more men at the venue than women.

The function which commenced with a ‘dhadhi jatha’ narrating tales of the sacrifices made by Sikh women, ended with a clarion call from the SGPC President (who also presided over today’s function) that women must do all they can to fight the evil of infanticide and dowry and contribute to the propagation of the Sikh faith by imbibing the basic tenets of Sikhism in their children.

Bibi Jagir Kaur, responding to the demand that women be allowed to sing kirtans at the Harmandir Sahib, said she had already asked for a list of women jathas which can sing Guru Jas.

Talking about the issue of 33 per cent reservation raised by MP Satwinder Kaur Dhaliwal, she said, “The Gurus have already given us a supreme status. Why should we then ask for alms from anyone? We are already equal by right.”

Speaking on the occasion, Satwinder Kaur Dhaliwal strongly favoured reservation for women to allow them to get an equal footing with men. She also spoke against sex determination tests.

Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, member, SGPC and Mrs Harjinder Kaur, president of the woman wing of the SAD, Chandigarh, spoke on the need to raise social and religious awareness. They also talked of female empowerment. Dr Kulwant Kaur asked women to educate their wards in Sikh history and the Sikh tradition of bravery and sacrifice.

Punjab Minister Satwant Kaur Sandhu acquainted the crowd with the rich heritage of Sikhism and narrated tales of sacrifices made by Sikh women. Dr Prabhjot Kaur and Dr Surinder Kaur touched on women’s role in assisting the Gurus quest for spirituality.

The function concluded with Akal Takth Jathedar Bhai Joginder Singh Vedanti conferring special honour on Bibi Jagir Kaur. Among other honoured were Mrs Harjinder Kaur, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, Mrs Mohinder Kaur, Prof Prabhjot Kaur, Mrs Satwinder Kaur Dhaliwal and Bibi Kamlesh Kaur.