Bhavsagar Granth
Bhavsagar Granth Bhavsagar Samunder Amrit Vani Granth | |
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Information | |
Religion | Bhaniara sect |
Author | Piara Singh Bhaniara and followers |
Part of a series on |
Sikhism |
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Bhavsagar Granth (full name: Bhavsagar Samunder Amrit Vani Granth) is a 2,704-page book considered as a
government for hurting the religious feelings of Sikhs.Composition
Baba Bhaniara is the founder of a religious sect that attracted mostly the marginalized
The writing of the book began on 20 June 2000. Most of it was authored by Pritam Singh of Dudhike village, with help from 20 other followers (including six women).[1]
Release and distribution
Bhaniara released the book at a function held on the
The text was
Opposition from Sikhs
Some Sikhs alleged that the book was insulting to their faith. According to them, the book copied several portions from the Sikh holy book Guru Granth Sahib. Moreover, the book had several photos in which Bhaniara allegedly imitated Guru Gobind Singh of the Sikhs. In one photo, he wore a shining coat and headgear similar to the ones seen in the popular posters of Gobind Singh; in another photo he rode a horse in manner of Gobind Singh. He also insisted that his sons be called Sahibzaadas, a term used for Gobind Singh's sons. The book also contained stories of Baniara's greatness, narrating how his followers experienced good luck, while those who criticized or taunted him suffered from bad luck.[1]
In September 2001, during a religious ceremony organized by Bhaniara's followers, a newly-formed organization called Khalsa Action Force attacked the function, seized the book and burned it. This was followed by several instances of Guru Granth Sahib being burnt in the rural
Ban
In 2001, the Parkash Singh Badal-led Punjab government banned Bhavsagar Granth and confiscated all its copies, arresting those who were found in possession of these copies. The print copy was probably destroyed by the police.[1]
Praveen Swamy wrote in Frontline:[2]
"Sadly, there has been little debate in Punjab on the legitimacy of the Punjab Government's decision to ban the Bhavsagar Granth. .. The Bhavsagar Granth ..at no point demeans the tenets or practice of the Sikh faith. ..The Bhavsagar Granth falls within a long tradition of insurgent
Brahmanismin no certain terms.
The Supreme Court quashed the ban on Bhavsagar Granth on 11 November 2008, stating that the Punjab government was allowed to issue a fresh ban, if needed.[3] The Punjab Government then banned the book on 15 December 2008.[4]
See also
- Punjab plume controversy
- List of books banned in India
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Meeta & Rajivlochan 2007, p. 1911.
- ^ "A godman and a political storm"[usurped], The Hindu, 27 October – 9 November 2001
- ^ "Piara Singh Bhaniara vs State Of Punjab And Another on 11 November, 2008". India Kanoon. 11 November 2008.
- ^ "Panel to study controversial book of Baba Bhaniara". The Indian Express. 19 November 2016.
Bibliography
- Meeta; Rajivlochan (2007). "Caste and Religion in Punjab: Case of the Bhaniarawala Phenomenon". Economic and Political Weekly. 42 (21): 1909–1913. JSTOR 4419630.