FATEHGARH SAHIB: A caste controversy has brewing in Fatehgarh Sahib district of Punjab over refusal of handing over Sikh Holy scripture Guru Granth Sahib to a Scheduled Caste family for performing marriage ceremony of their daughter. The Scheduled Caste community members Monday held a demonstration to register their protest.

It is learnt that head of a Sikh shrine (dera) denied permission to hand over holy bir of Guru Granth Sahib to a schedule caste family of village Ganduan to solminise marriage of one Pal Singh's daughter on July 9.

In many villages of Punjab, there is vertical split betwen the Jat Sikhs and Scheduled castes. Even parallel Gurdawaras are constructed at some places. Interestingly, Guru Granth Sahib gives the teaching of equality in the society.

To lodge their protest, activists of district Fatehgarh Sahib Unit of BSP staged dharna for three hours at village Bilaspur near Bassi Pathana  against Baba Ram Singh of Gurdwara Ganduan. The dharna was staged under the president ship of Gursewak Singh Mainmajra, District Fatehgarh Sahib president of BSP. 

While addressing the dharna, the president expressed anger over denial of taking Bir of Guru Granth Sahib for performing marriage by one schedule caste family of village Ganduan. He alleged that Baba Ram Singh of the village had been discriminating with dalits. He said that though a written complaint was made to DSP Bassi Pathana in this regard demanding suitable action against Baba Ram Singh, no action has ben taken. 

He said that district administration should initiate suitable action against the guilty persons otherwise they would be forced to adopt agitation programmes. The BSP activists also met Bassi Pathana SDM, who reportedly marked inquiry into the case.