Amritsar, Oct 30: A wheelchair-bound devotee, who was denied entry into the Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) here, has sought to make it accessible for physically challenged too.
However, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which has control over Sikh religious affairs and manages gurdwaras, including the holiest of Sikh shrines Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple, says ‘sewadars’ are deputed for convenience of the ‘sangat’ or devotees.
The SGPC’s statement comes after wheelchair-bound graphic designer Inderjeet Singh Dang on Saturday tweeted by saying, “How can someone who’s permanently on wheelchair supposed to go to Main Darbar without using wheelchair on pathway? “I request officials to look into this matter and help to make Darbar Sahib accessible for all.”
The SGPC replied to him by saying, “In case any pilgrim with wheelchair, they r helped by Sewadars by lifting them up with hands & taken to Darbar Sahib. Wheelchair cannot be allowed due to certain reasons. Please ask Sewadar help to pick the person & help in Darshan.”
At this Dehradun-based Dang replied: “Lot of Sewadars are extremely rude and arrogant and they simply say you can go by yourself or don’t go.” (IANS)
