Dr. Avnish Jolly, 30th May :Handwritten ‘BIR’ of Sri Guru Granth Sahib under threat at Golden Temple because of variation in temperature due to ACs , it will spoil and eventually destroy the, said Shawinder Singh Sandhu, an expert. He said the ACs would lessen the moisture content in the air inside the sanctum sanctorum, which could damage the holy ‘BIR’ of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Various Sikh leaders and conservationists claim that besides destroying the frescoes and heritage structure of the sanctum sanctorum, the AC would also likely damage the handwritten ‘BIR’ of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is under fire for its decision to install air conditioners inside the Golden Temple complex. The move has also triggered a debate within the gurdwara management as to why a sub-committee wasn’t constituted, as has been the norm, to discuss all aspects before deciding on installing ACs. SGPC sources wonder as to why a sub-committee wasn’t formed before the decision was taken.
While the gurdwara management had claimed that the air conditioners were introduced for the comfort of ragis, some members of the community alleged it was done for the VIPs who visit the gurdwara frequently.
Sandhu said prior to the installation of AC there wasn’t much difference between outside and inside temperature due to cross-ventilation, but now the inside temperature would be lower, which would lead to rapid contraction and expansion of material used in frescoes, causing cracks in them with time. The hot air from compressors — one fitted near the sarovar and other on the rooftop — will also considerably change the temperature of the shrine.