The Golden Temple reopened to devotees on Monday under Unlock1
Chandigarh:
The Golden Temple resumed its language and distributed “prasad” among the faithful when it reopened on Monday, defying the centre’s directives under Unlock1. Committee Chairman Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak (SGPC) Gobind Singh Longowal on Sunday urged the state government to review its guidelines banning the offer of “prasad” and langar in places of worship, saying he had ensured complete hygiene at the community kitchen center.
However, the guidelines of the Unlock1 center clearly prohibit the distribution of “prasad”, food or “langar” (community cuisine) in religious places.
Punjab Chief Captain, Captain Amarinder Singh, who previously described the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee as “a tool” in the hands of Shiromani Akali Dal, said the state government could not be held responsible for the ‘Prohibition of the distribution of “prasad” and the resumption of “langar” since the guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOP) have been published by the Union’s Ministry of the Interior.
Harsimrat Kaur Badal, as Minister of the Union, should have dismounted and insisted on allowing the distribution of ‘prasad“Instead of blaming the state government,” said Captain Singh.
Meanwhile, other places of worship and shopping centers have also reopened in the state after more than two and a half months while respecting the guidelines issued by the center under Unlock1.
At the Golden Temple, the faithful underwent a thermal examination before entering the sanctuary. Teams of doctors have been dispatched to the sanctuary entry points, officials said.
A SGPC working group ensured hand hygiene before authorizing entry for devotees. All rules of social separation have been strictly observed, they said.
“I am very happy to be here again. We pray that with the blessing of the almighty, the world will get rid of this coronavirus disease,” said an enthusiast of the Golden Temple.
However, on the first day of reopening, the usual rush of the faithful was not visible.
In Ludhiana, Jama Masjid reopened with the management of the mosque ensuring social distancing, thermal screening and hand hygiene.
(With PTI entries)
