Amritsar/Tehran (National Times): With rising tensions in Iran due to the Israel-Iran conflict, calls for the urgent evacuation of sacred Sikh scriptures from the region have grown louder. The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has made an emotional appeal to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), urging immediate action to protect the saroops (physical copies) of Guru Granth Sahib Ji from the Bhai Ganga Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Tehran.
NAPA Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal has requested the SGPC to send a team of five dedicated Sikhs on a chartered flight to bring back the saroops with full maryada (religious protocol). “This is not the time to rely solely on the central government. Delays caused by diplomatic red tape could lead to irreparable damage. The SGPC has the resources and a moral responsibility to act independently in this religious matter,” Chahal stressed.
Located on the outskirts of Tehran, the gurdwara housing these saroops lies in a region vulnerable to the escalating military situation. Sikh leaders have raised concerns about the safety of Gurdwaras and holy relics in both Iran and Israel, as the conflict between the two nations threatens to deepen.
SGPC Appeals to Central Government
Reacting to the situation, SGPC General Secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal stated that the committee has formally requested the Indian government to ensure the safety of Sikh religious sites and scriptures abroad. “Appropriate steps must be taken urgently to safeguard the saroops of Guru Granth Sahib and the gurdwaras where they are kept,” he said.
SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami, in a statement issued earlier, emphasized the deep reverence Sikhs hold for the Guru Granth Sahib, calling on the Government of India to use diplomatic channels to ensure the scriptures are protected. “The Guru Granth Sahib is not just a scripture—it is our eternal Guru. Any harm to the saroops would be an unbearable loss to the Sikh community globally,” Dhami said.
Growing Concern Over Delay
However, NAPA has cautioned that appeals alone may not be enough under current circumstances. “We understand the SGPC has reached out to the central government. But they must also act proactively. The SGPC has the infrastructure and manpower to conduct this mission respectfully and swiftly,” said Chahal.
He also warned that depending solely on government intervention could lead to “dangerous delays,” especially in a volatile and fast-changing conflict zone like Iran. He called upon Sikh institutions worldwide to support the SGPC in executing a timely and respectful evacuation of the saroops.
Sikh Community Watching Closely
With the Sikh community around the world deeply concerned, the coming days will be crucial. Both the SGPC and the Indian government are under pressure to ensure that the sanctity and safety of the Guru Granth Sahib is upheld in the midst of a growing regional crisis.
For millions of Sikhs, this is not just a matter of logistics—it is a matter of faith, reverence, and identity.
