By Jagmohan Singh    

AMRITSAR: The 24th Annual seminar on "The First Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak and Origin of Gurdwara Institution" organised by the Guru Nanak Studies Department of Guru Nanak Dev University was inaugurated here. Over 50 scholars from various universities and colleges are participating in this two-days seminar.

A renowned scholar, Prof. Rattan Singh Jaggi from Patiala while delivering his key-note address said that the tradition of gurdwara institution was started very from the travels of fouder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Dev. The dharamshala (inn) were established at various places as preaching centres by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. After installation of Guru Granth Sahib (holy scriputre of sikhism) these Sikh religious places were called as Gurdwaras. He said we didn't follow the ideology of Guru Nanak and his message in our practical life, as a result decline has come in the Sikh Religion, stated in the relese issued here on Sunday.

He said that the gurdwaras were the foundation of Sikh Religion but we had forget the principle of equality that forced the downtroden and the people of lower castes to build their separate Gurdwaras, which attracted them towards deras. Thus gurdwaras were becoming as medium in creating casteism, he added.

He lamented that the race of constructing new buildings of historical gurdwaras has lost the historical originality of religious places.

He said as the gurdwaras are the main centres of preaching, they need reforms in the Gurdwara Managements. He on this occasion, also released a copy of volume of research papers to be read out during the seminar.

Prof. Satinder Singh, former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University while presenting his presidential remarks said that the world is heading towards transcendence and is in search of a global religion. The Sikh Religion, the Guru Nanak Bani or Guru Granth Sahib Ji has the characteristics of becoming the global religion, but we have to spread the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib Ji at global level by way of preaching and by bringing its versions in various languages of the the world.