British Gurudwara bluntly on opposition to Mohan Bhagwat’s program: Said, ‘Do not link the permission to come to Gurudwara with dirty politics at all.

The controversy over the possible or pre-determined program of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat at a major Gurudwara in Britain has given rise to a new debate at the international level these days. There were sharp reactions to this event from the local Sikh community of Britain and some political circles, after which the Gurudwara Management Committee has now broken its silence on this entire matter and presented a very strict and clear clarification. The Gurudwara management clearly says that the sacred and open doors of Sikhism are always open with a sense of welcome to every person who brings the message of peace, harmony and humanity, therefore, permission to visit this religious place should not under any circumstances be made a means to satisfy one’s petty political interests. This frank statement of this prestigious Gurudwara of UK has given a befitting reply to all those political elements who were trying to make religious places an arena for their ideological agenda.

Why is there political turmoil over Mohan Bhagwat’s program in Britain’s Gurudwara?

A different kind of political excitement is often seen regarding the programs of Indian organizations and their top leadership on foreign soil, and something similar happened with this program of Mohan Bhagwat. There were protests by some local groups and fundamentalist elements in Britain as to why an ideologically controversial personality like the RSS chief should be given a place on the stage of a Gurudwara. Due to this protest, the atmosphere there became tense for some time and a heated debate broke out on it from social media to the local administrative level. However, amidst these protests, there was a large section which believed that imposing a ban on the entry of any Indian leader or thinker into all-inclusive and universal places like Gurudwara is completely against the spirit of religious freedom and openness.

Gurudwara Management Committee bluntly: The doors of Guru Ghar are always open for everyone.

After the controversy gained momentum, the British Gurdwara Management Committee has firmly clarified that their doors are not open to any particular political ideology, but to the entire humanity without any discrimination. An official statement issued by the management said that Gurdwara Sahib is a holy place where any person, irrespective of his background or views, can come to pay obeisance and establish dialogue. Seeing it through the prism of any political party or raising objection on it is completely against the basic traditions and principles of Guru Ghar. The management has given the message in clear words that they are not going to bow down to any external pressure or political polarization and the dignity of the Gurudwara and its universal traditions will be maintained at all costs.

Concern among Sikh community and migrants due to politics dominating religious places

After this entire incident, deep concern is being expressed among the NRIs living in Britain and the mainstream Sikh community about how some political forces are not desisting from using religious institutions for their vested interests. Experts believe that to spoil the harmony among the Indian expatriates living in democratic countries like Britain, such issues are often given unnecessary importance, which have nothing to do with the ground reality. The basic purpose of institutions like Gurudwaras has always been to feed the hungry, serve the needy and spread the message of peace, but when they are dragged into narrow political debates, it risks tarnishing the image of the entire community. The sensible and enlightened class believes that keeping religion and politics separate is the best step in the interest of the society.

The biggest need today is for mutual brotherhood and dialogue, rising above ideological differences.

In today’s globalized era, where distances and ideological conflicts are increasing across the world, incidents like this remind us that we should leave the politics of hatred and adopt the path of mutual dialogue. This clarification given by the British Gurudwara on Mohan Bhagwat’s program is not just the favor of an institution, but it is a symbol of the fact that religious places should remain centers of free and open dialogue and not political arenas. If we put aside ideological differences and promote a culture of listening to each other with an open mind, then unity and strong brotherhood can be maintained even among the Indian communities settled abroad. Ultimately the victory of truth lies in rejecting those who do politics in the name of religion and the original dignity of holy places like Gurugharas should always be kept intact.