Plans have been submitted for a bar, which will be open 7 days a week, to be constructed on the Gurdwara Sahib Complex, land which is owned by the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. On the 4th of February 2014, Satnam Bains, Chair of Sikh Cultural and Sports Community Centre Committee (located on Gurdwara Sahib Complex), submitted an application to Warwick District Council outlining planning permission for a proposed new Sikh Community Centre (planning application reference no: W/14/0164).
The local Sikh Community felt extremely angry and betrayed as assurances were given at an open meeting by the Chief Trustee of Gurdwara Sahib, Jaswant Virdee, and the Chair of Sikh Community Centre, Satnam Bains, that all rumours relating to the consumption of meat and alcohol on the Gurdwara Sahib Complex were not true.
Evidence has now come to light that these individuals and their supporters have not only deceived the local sangat but have also shown the utmost disrespect to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by continuously misleading the congregation from the Gurdwara stage in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This planning application has brought the local and entire Sikh community into disrepute.
An even greater shock is that the Gurdwara Sahib Committee are fully supporting the planning application. Shalbinder Malle, current General Secretary of Gurdwara Sahib, has also continuously misled the congregation and supported this application from the beginning.
Even more confusing and baffling is that Shalbinder Malle, Mota Singh, Balraj Dhesi, and the Chief Trustee Jaswant Virdee recently went live on a national Sikh TV Channel to promise that there would be NO Meat or Alcohol on the Gurdwara Sahib Complex.
Furthermore, the application is being fully supported by local Councillor Balwinder Gill:
“I support this application as a ward councillor. As there is a need for this sort of facility for community function. There is no other one in the town. People have to book in Coventry or Solihull and most of them are very expensive.”
Sandesh (Order) Issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib
Sandesh (Order) Issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib
Any form of intoxicants (alcohol, drugs etc.) and preparation or consumption of foods such as meat, fish and eggs are not permitted on Gurdwara property.
Buildings bought or constructed using the Daswand of the Sikh Sangat or Gurdwara donations are solely to be used to be used for Gurmat purposes and the betterment of society.
There is no permission granted for dancing and singing or any acts which go against the principles of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
The Sikh Community Centre planning application (W/14/0164) can be found at:
Extracts from the supporting planning documents:
* Page 4 of the ‘Design and Access Statement’
* The spaces for social activities need to be located as far from the temple as possible for religious reasons;
* A sports hall for 5 aside football, badminton, indoor cricket and fitness with associated changing rooms and equipment store. This space will double as banqueting space for weddings.
* Page 12 & 26 of the ‘Transport Assessment Report’
* The auditorium would also have a small bar that would be open during events and also from 7.00pm each evening for the community.
* Page 9 of the ‘Transport Assessment Report’
* The main function for the community centre is to provide a venue for a multi-purpose sports hall that can host wedding receptions;
* Currently, wedding parties hold the religious service in the temple then travel to an off-site venue for the wedding reception and party. It is the intention for the developers to create a reception venue in close proximity to the temple so wedding parties can simply walk from one venue to the other.
* Page 4 of the ‘Design and Access Statement’
* The spaces for social activities need to be located as far from the temple as possible for religious reasons;
* A sports hall for 5 aside football, badminton, indoor cricket and fitness with associated changing rooms and equipment store. This space will double as banqueting space for weddings.
* Page 12 & 26 of the ‘Transport Assessment Report’
* The auditorium would also have a small bar that would be open during events and also from 7.00pm each evening for the community.
* Page 9 of the ‘Transport Assessment Report’
* The main function for the community centre is to provide a venue for a multi-purpose sports hall that can host wedding receptions;
* Currently, wedding parties hold the religious service in the temple then travel to an off-site venue for the wedding reception and party. It is the intention for the developers to create a reception venue in close proximity to the temple so wedding parties can simply walk from one venue to the other.
The local and wider Sikh Community, need to ask the question why, and hold these community leaders to account for their actions.
If anyone would like to discuss the planned proposals with the respective leaders, details can be found below:
Jaswant Virdee, Gurdwara Chief Trustee Tel: 01926 311734 / 07881 771098
Shalbinder Malle, Gurdwara General Secretary Tel: 07956 819911
Satnam Bains, Chairman of Sikh Cultural & Sports Comm. Centre Tel: 07958 430464