On 29 August, an incident occurred at the Canning Vale Sikh Temple – an outrageous act of sacrilege took place. The Sikh Council of Western Australia has been joined by the Hindu Council of Australia and the Gurduara Council of Victoria in condemning this incident. Responses to this incident have occurred in Sikh Communities throughout Australia. Religions for Peace Australia seeks to build peace and social cohesion in every religious community in our nation. This action at the Canning Vale Gurduara is condemned as Un-Australian.
Community Condemns Sacrilege of Gurbani Gutka Sahib in Perth
On 29th August 2024, an appalling act of sacrilege against the divine Gurbani Gutka Sahib, also known as Pothi Sahib, occurred in Perth, The perpetrator of this heinous crime even uploaded a video of the act showcasing throwing the Gutka Sahib on the ground, stepping on it, tearing its pages, and discarding it into a toilet, This has caused deep emotional pain and outrage within the Sikh community in Australia. This is the first incident of its kind in Australia, where Sikhs have been integral to the social fabric for over 150 years. The Sikh community is heartbroken, devastated, and angered by this desecration, which is the worst offence that could ever be inflicted on Sikhs.
Gurbani holds the utmost sanctity in the life of every Sikh. The Guru Granth Sahib is not merely a religious text or sacred scripture; it is a living Guru for Sikhs. The teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib, and its smaller portions of the Gutka Sahib, guide every aspect of Sikh’s life. In Sikhism, the respect given to Gurbani surpasses that for even biological parents. It is the most precious, revered, and central part of Sikh life and spirituality.
Unfortunately, this event echoes a series of sacrileges that have occurred in Punjab, India, where repeated acts of desecration led to court cases, protests and violence. The government failed to deliver justice to the Sikh community leading to a deep sense of mistrust and anger.
Here in Australia, the Sikh community calls upon the Australian Government, law enforcement authorities, and lawmakers to take this matter seriously. We demand justice and immediate action to ensure such an act is never repeated. This is not merely a religious issue; its an attack on the values of religious harmony and respect for cultural diversity that Australia stands for.
Sikhs from all over Australia are coming together, holding meetings, and organising a “ROS March” (Mourning March) and awareness rallies. We are urging the authorities to take strict legal action against the perpetrator and to conduct a full public inquiry into this incident, including investigating any foreign interference.
Additionally, we urge the Australian Government to implement legislation safeguarding the sacred religious texts of all faiths, including the Living Guru of Sikhs, This would help prevent such offences. from disrupting the peace and societal harmony within our communities,
The Sikh community is dedicated to promoting peace. We are unified and urge immediate and effective measures to protect the sanctity of all religious beliefs and prevent such acts from recurring. – Gurduara Council of Victoria
The Message of the Sikh Council of Western Australia
The Message of the Hindu Council of Australia
