The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) will not be honouring Canadian leader and Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne with a traditional “siropa” (robe of honour) as Wynne, a lesbian, is a strong supporter of same-sex marriages.
The Canadian leader is scheduled to pay obeisance at the revered Golden temple in Amritsar on Sunday morning. Wynne is part of a delegation which is on a 10-day business trip to India.
Same-sex marriages are strongly opposed by the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, reason behind the SGPC decision not to honor her with the Siropa even as the leader will be facilitated in all way possibly to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple.
SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said it will be against the Sikh ethics to offer the visiting Canadian leader a “siropa.” Akal Takht head priest Giani Gurbachan Singh, too, endorsed the SGPC view.
The Akal Takht had earlier issued an advisory to management of Sikh shrines across the globe not to solemnise same-sex marriages. Minority community, especially the Sikh diaspora, has often come in conflict with Wynne.
There were protests when a sizeable section of Sikhs raised voice against her move to introduce sex education curriculum among school students.
Many in the community felt the content was premature for students and promoted same-sex relationships as well. Nevertheless, the curriculum was implemented.
Wynne courted controversy in 2014 when she did not allow Sikhs with turbans to ride two-wheelers, including motorcycles, without wearing a helmet. This led to widespread resentment among the Sikh diaspora.
The Canadian leader is scheduled to pay obeisance at the revered Golden temple in Amritsar on Sunday morning. Wynne is part of a delegation which is on a 10-day business trip to India.
Same-sex marriages are strongly opposed by the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, reason behind the SGPC decision not to honor her with the Siropa even as the leader will be facilitated in all way possibly to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple.
SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said it will be against the Sikh ethics to offer the visiting Canadian leader a “siropa.” Akal Takht head priest Giani Gurbachan Singh, too, endorsed the SGPC view.
The Akal Takht had earlier issued an advisory to management of Sikh shrines across the globe not to solemnise same-sex marriages. Minority community, especially the Sikh diaspora, has often come in conflict with Wynne.
There were protests when a sizeable section of Sikhs raised voice against her move to introduce sex education curriculum among school students.
Many in the community felt the content was premature for students and promoted same-sex relationships as well. Nevertheless, the curriculum was implemented.
Wynne courted controversy in 2014 when she did not allow Sikhs with turbans to ride two-wheelers, including motorcycles, without wearing a helmet. This led to widespread resentment among the Sikh diaspora.
