Sukhbir Singh Badal, a senior leader of the Akali Dal party expressed his dismay over the government’s decision to auction off a model of the Golden Temple that was gifted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that the auction was a grave insult to the Sikh faith and the divine blessings of the Akal Purakh and the Guru Sahibs.
Badal, who is also a former Union minister, posted his objection on X (formerly Twitter), a popular social media platform. He said that the auction would hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikh community, who consider the Golden Temple as their holiest shrine. He also questioned why the government did not respect the sentiments of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex body of the Sikhs, who had presented the model to Modi as a token of reverence.
The model of the Golden Temple is among over 900 souvenirs that have been put up for e-auction by the government. The auction started on October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti, and will end on October 31, marking Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary. The government has said that the proceeds of the auction will be used for the Namami Gange project, which aims to clean and revive the river Ganga.
The auction also includes other gifts received by Modi from various dignitaries and organisations, such as a statue of Lord Laxmi Narayan Vitthal and goddess Rukmini, replicas of Gujarat’s Sun Temple and Chittorgarh’s Vijay Stambh, and a painting of Banaras Ghat by famous artist Paresh Maity. Modi had announced the exhibition of these gifts on X and praised them as a reflection of India’s rich culture, tradition and artistic heritage.
Badal, however, urged Modi to stop the auction of the Golden Temple model and hand it over to the SGPC. He said that the model was not an ordinary gift, but a sacred symbol of the gift and blessings of the Akal Purakh and the Guru Sahibs. He said that by auctioning it off, Modi was showing disrespect to the Sikh faith and hurting their sentiments.
He also asked Modi to respect the sentiments of other communities and religions, and not to sell off their gifts as well. He said that such actions would create disharmony and distrust among different sections of society.
The auction of the Golden Temple model has also sparked outrage among other Sikh leaders and organisations, who have condemned the government’s move and demanded its withdrawal. They have said that the model is a priceless treasure for the Sikhs and should not be treated as a commodity.
The Golden Temple, also known as Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib, is located in Amritsar, Punjab. It is the most sacred site for Sikhs, who visit it from all over the world. It was built by Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru, in 1604. It is surrounded by a pool of water called Sarovar, which is believed to have healing powers. The temple houses the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhs, which is revered as their living Guru.
The model of the Golden Temple that was gifted to Modi is made of wood and metal. It has intricate carvings and designs on its walls and dome. It also has four doors on each side, symbolising openness and inclusiveness. It is said to be an exact replica of the original temple in terms of dimensions and architecture.
The government has not yet responded to Badal’s criticism or clarified its stance on the auction. The current bid for the model stands at Rs 1.5 lakh (about $2,000). The auction website says that it will be delivered to the highest bidder within 15 days after payment confirmation.
