Controversial Sikh Stamp Withdrawn from Indian Post Offices

August 11, 2005

Source: The Tribune

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050812/punjab1.htm

On August 11, 2005 The Tribune reported, "The commemorative stamp to be released to celebrate 400 years of the installation of Guru Granth Sahib has been withdrawn from all head post offices by the Department of Posts across the country. However, the stamps had been sold out without its formal release at some post offices of the southern states. Bibi Jagir Kaur, while talking to this correspondent, said the SGPC had given the design depicting the dome of Harmander Sahib and years 1604-2004, mentioning the installation and completion of 400 years of the holy book. She said it was highly questionable that stamps were available in the market without their formal release. The stamp has unintentionally hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community as it shows Guru Granth Sahib without ‘Rumala’ (a piece of cloth use to cover the holy book). The Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) and the National Commission for Minorities had strongly objected its design and sought its cancellation and immediate withdrawal. Confirming this, Mr K.L. Kalosia, Senior Superintendent of Posts, here, said they received the order for withdrawing the stamps yesterday and dispatched the entire stock the same day."