Following objections, SGPC changes colour of Nishan Sahibs at Golden Temple

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 9

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Friday replaced the ‘kesri’ (saffron) colour of the cloth of the Nishan Sahibs in front of the Akal Takht and in the backdrop of the Golden Temple to ‘basanti’ colour after performing ‘ardas’.

Besides, the ‘chola’ of other Nishan Sahibs (Sikh flags) on the Golden Temple complex, which earlier had a ‘kesri’ tinge, was also replaced by the ‘basanti’ colour.

Following objections, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh had called up the five high priests to take up the issue. At the meeting held on July 15 at the Akal Takht secretariat, the five high priests unanimously passed a resolution to restore the traditional colour code of Nishan Sahib as per the code of Sikh conduct in all gurdwaras and asked the SGPC to comply with the orders.

Chapter 4 of the Sikh ‘rehat maryada’ says, “At a high-level site in every gurdwara should be installed the Nishan Sahib. The cloth of the flag should be of basanti (xanthic) or of ‘surmai’ (greyish blue) colour. On top of the flag post, there should either be a spearhead or a ‘khanda’.”

Objections were raised with the Akal Takht by Sikh organisations and individuals that the Nishan Sahib in majority of the gurdwaras was being covered with the ‘kesri’-colour cloth, which violated the Sikh ‘maryada’.

A circular, dated July 26, 2024, was issued by the Dharam Parchar Committee of the SGPC to its ‘parcharaks’ (preachers) and ‘dhadis’ (ballad singers) to spread information to all gurdwaras about maintaining the ‘rehat maryada’ when it came to selection of the colour of the cloth for the Nishan Sahib.