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Appeal against ban on Sikh marriages in hotels, halls

The decision of the Akal Takht to ban the solemnisation of Sikh marriages (anand karg) in hotels and marriage palaces has caused panic among the owners of such institutions.

A meeting of the Federation of Punjab Guest House and Tent Dealers Welfare Association held in Amritsar has decided to appeal to Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh on the issue.

The Association's state president and all India vice-president Satpal Maggu, who runs a marriage hall in Amritsar, announced the setting-up of a five member committee, comprising proprietors of marriage halls to take up the issue with the Takht chief.

The committee comprises Harinder Singh, president of the association's local unit, Inderjit Singh Narula, the association's treasurer, C S Sharma, the association's general secretary, Hardyal Singh and Surjit Singh.

Though the association members did not criticise the decision, they were of the unanimous opinion that certain modifications were needed. They felt that those marriage palaces having separate space for conducting anand karg should not be brought under the purview of the Takht's decision. They pointed out that a number of palaces in Punjab and even outside the state had halls exclusively for the ceremony.

Maggu said in order to maintain the sanctity of the holy Guru Granth Sahib many guest houses have earmarked separate enclosures for anand karg where merrymaking or serving food was strictly prohibited.

Marriage halls, he said, had become very popular for holding the ceremony because of the cost factor. Sikh families, particularly from rural areas, preferred halls over hotels as these were not only spacious but cheaper, too.

When questioned about the financial aspects of the ban, a number of local hall owners said it would lead to a 15 per cent fall in their business.

Narula said the Takht's decision would cause a great deal of inconvenience to the public. Referring to the civil lines area of Amritsar, he said there were just two or three gurdwaras and 50-odd marriage palaces -- during marriage season this would mean long queues outside the gurdwaras for the ceremony.

The owners were hopeful that the Takht would give them a patient hearing and bring about certain changes in its decision.

UNI

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