While Sikh organisations are yet to take up the issue,  Bhubaneshwar lawyer and social activist Sukhvinder Kaur and historian Anil Dhir have sent an SOS to Odisha Chief Minister to stop the imminent demolition of the historic Mangu Mutt and Punjabi Mutt, adjacent to the historic Jagannath Puri Temple, as part of an expansion and cleanliness drive which has invited the wrath of Hindu religious authorities as well. It is highly ironic that while the whole Sikh world and friends of Sikhs are celebrating the 550 years of Guru Nanak and are launching special programmes for the ensuing anniversary on 12 November, the Naveen Patnaik government is on the anvil of removing the traces of the footsteps of the historic site where Guru Nanak Sahib spent time during his sojourn to Bhubaneshwar. The World Sikh News appeals to the Odisha government to immediately stop this ‘cleanliness drive.’

THE SIKH WORLD is pained to note that two of the sacred mutts of Puri which have associational significance with the Sikh faith have been slated for demolition in the recent cleanliness reforms being carried out around the Jagannath Puri Temple.

Speaking on behalf of the Sikh community, Odhisha High Court lawyer and social activist Sukhvinder Kaur and historian Anil Dhir have categorically stated in an urgent SOS missive to the Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik that, “the connection between Sikhism and the Jagannath temple goes back to more than 500 years ago when Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited the holy temple to spread the message of Ek Onkar, meaning “one supreme reality”. It was at the Jagannath temple that the Holy Sikh Arti, which is enshrined in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, was composed. Since then the association of Sikhs with the Jagannath temple was set and continues till today.”

Will the Odisha Chief Minister listen? Will he raze to the ground the historic shrine in memory of Guru Nanak? Will he go down in history as a vandal or a protector of shared common heritage? He should remember that history is unforgiving.

The memorandum has stated that “Every year, thousands of devout Sikhs visit Puri to pay obeisance at the Gurdwara.”

Historically speaking, Anil Dhir has pointed out that, “The Mangu Mutt was set up by Bhai Almast, the Sikh preacher and head of the Dhuari of the Udasi sect sometime in 1615 C.E.  He had been deputed to the eastern provinces by Baba Gurditta, the eldest son of Guru Hargobind, to preach the message of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the eastern provinces. The image of Baba Shri Chand, the son of Guru Nanak Dev Ji is kept in the shrine inside the mutt. It is because of Almast’s impressive work that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji chose to visit the place in 1670 CE. The Mutt was the abode of the Nanakpanthis, who would travel 2000 miles each year to visit Puri.”

“Another cherished link of the Sikhs with the Puri temple is its connection with Guru Gobind Singh Ji. In 1699, at Anandpur Sahib, while the Guru was creating the Khalsa, Himmat Rai, a young lad from Puri who came from a humble background, offered his head to the Guru. Himmat Rai became Bhai Himmat Singh upon taking Amrit from Guru Gobind Singh.”

Noted researchers and activist Anil Dhir has given another example of the Sikh-Puri connection and stated that “Another cherished link of the Sikhs with the Puri temple is its connection with Guru Gobind Singh Ji. In 1699, at Anandpur Sahib, while the Guru was creating the Khalsa, Himmat Rai, a young lad from Puri who came from a humble background, offered his head to the Guru. Himmat Rai became Bhai Himmat Singh upon taking Amrit from Guru Gobind Singh.”

“Two hymns of Odisha laureate Bhagat Jayadeva are there as Gurbani in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. There are many such legends like these that indicate a strong bond between Puri and the Sikhs.”

The two social activists have recorded that “Historic mentions are made in innumerable texts and written records. In 1868 Smith, Sanitary Commissioner of Bengal reported that Punjabis came to Puri walking on foot about 2000 miles for six-month-long journeys. They used to stay at Puri a day or two and walked back home happily. In 1873, J.S. Armstrong, Magistrate to the Commissioner, Orissa Division, wrote about the Mutt and its Sikh occupants. The Gajapati Raja of Puri had also granted the right of Chamar Seva or Mayur Pankhi Seva to be rendered by the Mahant of the Math.”

“Two hymns of Odisha laureate Bhagat Jayadeva are there as Gurbani in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. There are many such legends like these that indicate a strong bond between Puri and the Sikhs.”

Significantly, it has been noted that the “Mangu Math also played an important role during the freedom struggle. Many freedom fighters, both from Odisha and upcountry were sheltered here. The Late Gobind Tripathy, freedom fighter from Puri has recollected his stay in the mutt as an inmate and the immense support he along with his classmates and fellow freedom fighters received here in the thirties.”

The vastly researched documentary appeal to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik pleads to him saying, “Historically, Sikhs have always been seen as the protectors of Hindus. Even during victorious conquests, the Sikhs have never defiled not destroyed any place of worship of the enemies. Many of the Sikh Gurus and their families gave up their lives for the protection of the Hindu faith and temples. It is ironic that our holy place will be destroyed in the name of development.”

Will Odisha CM @Naveen_Odisha listen? Will he raze to the ground the historic shrine in memory of Guru Nanak in the year when the world is celebrating 550 years of Guru Nanak? Will he go down in history as a vandal or a protector of shared common heritage?https://t.co/BtZmNBTKbY

— Harjinder Singh Kukreja (@SinghLions) September 12, 2019

“The Gaddi, the Sanctum Sanctorum should be left intact. The relics should be properly preserved.”

“It is the duty of the Government of Odisha to protect and preserve such heritage and religious institutions and safeguard the spiritual and emotional values attached to them. It will deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community worldwide if the Mutts are razed to the ground.”

WSN learns that the followers of Shrichand Ji -the son of Guru Nanak are up in arms and would soon publicly protest the demolition drive of the Orissa Chief Minister.

TAKE ACTION:
* Make Protest Call: +91.674.2390902
* Tweet Protest at: @CMO_Odisha
* Email protest at: cmo@nic.in
* Post protest note at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CMO.Odisha/
* Write to Odisha Chief Minister
Shri Naveen Patnaik
Chief Minister Odisha
Lok Seva Bhawan, Sachivalaya Marg,
Bhubaneshwar, Odisha 751001

Will the Odisha Chief Minister listen? Will he raze to the ground the historic shrine in memory of Guru Nanak? Will he go down in history as a vandal or a protector of shared common heritage? He should remember that history is unforgiving.