SGPC chief Advocate Dhami calls for immediate halt to online sale of Gutka Sahib on Amazon
Says 'reverence for these holy texts diminishes when they are transported through parcels or couriers, where Sikh Maryada (conduct) may not be honoured'
PTC Web Desk: Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), has taken a strong stance against the online sale of Gutka Sahib and Gurbani Sainchi (Sikh scriptures) on the e-commerce platform Amazon. He has demanded the immediate cessation of these sales, saying such practices undermine the respect due to these sacred texts.
In a statement, Advocate Dhami said the online sale of Sikh scriptures and Gutka Sahib—an important handheld scripture containing Sikh prayers—could not be tolerated. He expressed concern that the reverence for these holy texts diminishes when they are transported through parcels or couriers, where the Sikh Maryada (conduct) may not be honoured. “The immense devotion and respect for Gurbani among the Sikh community is evident, and there is widespread resentment regarding the online sale of Gutka Sahib by Amazon and other e-commerce websites,” he stated.
Advocate Dhami urged Amazon and similar companies to promptly remove the sacred Gutka Sahib from their listings. He also appealed to publishers to refrain from selling these religious texts online, reminding them of the importance of maintaining the sanctity of Gurbani.
This issue will also be discussed at the upcoming meeting of the SGPC’s Dharam Prachar Committee, which focuses on Sikh religious preaching. Advocate Dhami said a legal notice was earlier sent to Amazon when similar instances arose, resulting in a temporary halt to the sale of Gutka Sahib online.