Sikh Reference Library: Difference between revisions

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{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}

{{Short description|Sikh library in Amritsar, India}}

{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}

{{Infobox library

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[[File:Sikh Reference Library Burned.jpg|thumb|right|There is controversy surrounding the government's version of events on what happened to historical manuscripts, books, and artifacts before the Sikh Reference Library was burned.]]

The '''Sikh Reference Library''' was a repository of an estimated 20,000 literary works located in the [[HarmandirGolden Temple|Darbar Sahib]] (Golden Temple) at [[Amritsar]], [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]] which was destroyed during [[Operation Blue Star]].<ref name="tribune_fire_2003">{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030607/windows/note.htm|title=Fire of controversy in Sikh library still smoulders|last=Walia|first=Varinder|date=7 June 2003|work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|accessdate=21 February 2011}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Brar |first=Kamaldeep Singh |date=20 June 2019 |title=Explained: The mystery of missing articles of Sikh Reference Library |work=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/the-mystery-of-missing-articles-of-sikh-reference-library-5789595/ |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225164840/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/the-mystery-of-missing-articles-of-sikh-reference-library-5789595/ |archive-date=25 December 2020}}</ref><ref name=":1">Kaur, Jaskaran; Crossette, Barbara (2006).|http://ensaaf-org.jklaw.net/publications/reports/20years/20years-2nd.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119015130/http://ensaaf-org.jklaw.net/publications/reports/20years/20years-2nd.pdf |date=19 January 2012 }}</ref> In 1984, the library's contents were confiscated by the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI) and the empty building allegedly burned to the ground by the [[Indian Army]] on 7 June. In recent years the [[Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee]] (SGPC) has attempted to recover the looted material but has not yet recovered substantial materials. To date, the status of library manuscripts and artifacts is unclear; the vast majority remain in the hands of the government, a few office files and passports were returned, and as many as 117 items were destroyed for being "seditious" materials.<ref name="tribune_fire_2003" /> After the events of Operation Blue Star, the library was revived and its current collection has surpassed the total contents of the original library.

==Origin==

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==Historical materials==

Prior to its destruction by Indian troops, the library hosted a vast collection of an estimated 20,000 literary works, including 11,107 books (another estimate puts the number of books having been 12,613), 2,500 manuscripts, 20–25 handwritten edicts (''[[hukamnama]]'') signed and issued by the [[Sikh gurus|Sikh Gurus]], newspaper archives, historical letters, and documents/ or files.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2018-06-06 |title=The missing chapter of 1984: Book by book, Sikh Reference Library struggles to restore glory |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/the-missing-chapter-of-1984-book-by-book-sikh-library-struggles-to-restore-glory/story-UR8vtp08NrjVpE8eK4ag0N.html |access-date=2022-09-11 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> It also contained handwritten manuscripts (''[[Sikh scriptures|bir]]'') of the [[Guru Granth Sahib]], the primary and central [[Sikh scriptures|Sikh scripture]].<ref name="tribune_fire_2003" /><ref name="SmokingGunUnitedSikhs">"The Smoking Gun Recovered, United Sikhs documentary" | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6AFP1NiF-U</ref> The library also held documents related to the [[Indian Independence Movement]]. Most of the literature was written in the Punjabi-language and related to Sikhism, but there were also [[Hindi]], [[Assamese language|Assamese]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]], [[Persian language|Persian]], [[Arabic]], [[Tibetic languages|Tibetan]], [[English language|English]], and [[French language|French]] works touching upon various topics.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

==Destruction==

According to the [[Indian Army]] white paper on [[Operation Blue Star]], the library was destroyed on the night of 5 June 1984 in the midst of a firefight.<ref name="ensaaf_twenty_2006">{{cite book|last1=Kaur|first1=Jaskaran|last2=Crossette|first2=Barbara|title=Twenty years of impunity: the November 1984 pogroms of Sikhs in India |page=16 |url=http://ensaaf-org.jklaw.net/publications/reports/20years/20years-2nd.pdf|edition=2nd|year=2006|publisher=Ensaaf|___location=Portland, OR|isbn=0-9787073-0-3|archive-date=19 January 2012|access-date=21 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119015130/http://ensaaf-org.jklaw.net/publications/reports/20years/20years-2nd.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, according to [[V. M. Tarkunde]], the library was still intact on 6 June when the Army had gained control of the [[Harmandir Sahib|Golden Temple]], and was in fact burned down by the army at some point between 6 June and 14 June.<ref name="ensaaf_twenty_2006" /> Although the Indian Army has maintained that the library's contents were completely destroyed on 5 June, the SGPC has contradicted their version of events. By using witness accounts, the SGPC has alleged that material from the library was taken in [[gunny sack]]s on military truck to Amritsar's Youth Club, a temporary office of the CBI, and the empty library was burned by the army afterwards.<ref name="tribune_fire_2003" /> At that ___location, the CBI catalogued the materials until September 1984, when in light of a Sikh convention being held in the city, the library's contents were moved to an undisclosed ___location.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

==Coverup==

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==Efforts to recover the material==

[[File:A manuscript of the Guru Granth Sahib of the Damdami recension which was reduced to ashes in 1984 (Operation Blue Star) which had no Ragamala at the end.png|thumb|A manuscript of the [[Guru Granth Sahib]] of the Damdami [[recension]] which was reduced to ashes in 1984 ([[Operation Blue Star]])]]

Since 1988, the SGPC has written to the [[Government of India|Central Government]] asking for the return of the material taken by the CBI but has only received minor office files.<ref name="express_2009_george">{{cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/20000525/ina25042.html|title=George Fernandes admits Army removed items from Golden Temple during Operation B|date=25 May 2000|publisher=Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.|accessdate=21 February 2011|___location=Bombay|archive-date=11 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011195811/http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/20000525/ina25042.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 23 May 2000 [[George Fernandes]] wrote to the SGPC Secretary, Gurbachan Singh Bachan, and acknowledged that the [[Indian Army]] had taken the books and other documents from the Sikh Reference Library and handed them over to the CBI.<ref name="express_2009_george" /> He asked him to refer the matter to the [[Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (India)|Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions]], whose jurisdiction the CBI falls under.<ref name="express_2009_george" />

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In February and May 2009, [[A. K. Antony]], defense minister of India, claimed in parliament that the Indian Army no longer had any material taken from the library.<ref name="dna_missing_2009">{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/special_sgpc-centre-spar-over-golden-temples-missing-manuscripts_1234589|title=SGPC, Centre spar over Golden Temple's missing manuscripts - India - DNA|last=Bharadwaj|first=Ajay|date=27 Feb 2009|work=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|accessdate=22 February 2011|___location=Chandigarh}}</ref><ref name="tribune_antony_2009">{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090522/punjab.htm#1|title=No Sikh reference books with us: Antony|last=Walia|first=Varinder|date=21 May 2009|work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|publisher=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|accessdate=22 February 2011}}</ref> Various members of parliament and the SGPC criticized him for "misleading parliament".<ref name="dna_missing_2009" /><ref name="tribune_antony_2009" />

In a statement dated to 3 August 2018 as a response to a [[Right to Information Act, 2005|request-to-information]] inquiry, the [[Government of India|Centre]] claimed it had returned confiscated items to the SGPC or Punjab Government already, stating: "About 4000 documents/books/files gold/gold ornaments, silver/silver ornaments, precious stone currency at sector were recovered by a central agency during Operation Blue Star in 1984. The articles and documents handed over either to SGPC or to the Government of Punjab."<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Brar |first=Kamaldeep Singh |date=2023-06-11 |title=1,500 manuscripts of Sikh Reference Library not returned after Op Blue Star: SGPC tells High Court |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/1500-manuscripts-sikh-reference-library-not-returned-after-op-blue-star-8657160/ |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> However, the SGPC denies the claim and claims the items were not returned to it.<ref name=":3" />

== Revival ==

The library was restored after the original and its collection was destroyed in Operation Blue Star. Its collection has been refilled due to community, institutional, and individual-based donations of literary works. The revived library continues in operation to the present.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pal |first=Sanchari |date=2017-09-25 |title=How The Golden Temple's Amazing Library of Rare Manuscripts Was Revived |url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/116550/golden-temple-sikh-reference-library-sgpc-rare-manuscripts/ |access-date=2022-09-11 |website=The Better India |language=en-US}}</ref> It has amassed a collection of 24,540 books according to a 2017 estimate. Estimates for individual types of other literary works is 550 Guru Granth Sahib manuscripts, 75 Dasam Granth manuscripts, and 1,300 general manuscripts. No issued edicts (''hukamnama'') signed by the Sikh Gurus have been recollected in the revived library. Digitization work is being conducted to save the collection for posterity and to prevent a similar loss of its contents again.<ref name=":2" /> A special fumegation treatment chamber has been installed to preserve the works from insect and environmental damage.

=== Restocking ===

A new building is being constructed at Bhai Gurdas Hall to rehouse the library in, as the current building in the Golden Temple complex is deemed too small to meet the needs of the growing collection. This has been opposed by some on the grounds that the original ___location is a witness to history of the events of Operation Blue Star and serves as a reminder for devotees of that episode.<ref name=":2" />

The library was restored after the original and its collection was destroyed in Operation Blue Star. Its collection has been refilled due to community, institutional, and individual-based donations of literary works. The revived library continues in operation to the present.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pal |first=Sanchari |date=2017-09-25 |title=How The Golden Temple's Amazing Library of Rare Manuscripts Was Revived |url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/116550/golden-temple-sikh-reference-library-sgpc-rare-manuscripts/ |access-date=2022-09-11 |website=The Better India |language=en-US}}</ref> It has amassed a collection of 24,540 books according to a 2017 estimate. Estimates for individual types of other literary works is 550 Guru Granth Sahib manuscripts, 75 Dasam Granth manuscripts, and 1,300 general manuscripts. No issued edicts (''hukamnama'') signed by the Sikh Gurus have been recollected in the revived library. Digitization work is being conducted to save the collection for posterity and to prevent a similar loss of its contents again.<ref name=":2" /> A special fumegation treatment chamber has been installed to preserve the works from insect and environmental damage.

=== Preservation ===

A special fumigation treatment chamber has been installed to preserve the works from insect and environmental damage.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Surjit |date=2017-09-24 |title=33 years after Operation Bluestar: Sikh reference library at Golden Temple thriving, and how |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/33-years-after-operation-bluestar-sikh-library-at-golden-temple-thriving-and-how/story-9zUn1i66gnArFwAF1lBE0L.html |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

=== Digitization ===

Digitization work began in 2008 and is being conducted to save the collection for posterity and to prevent a similar loss of its contents again.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":2" /> Digitization work first began under a private firm but this led to disappointments so the library started digitizing its own collection itself starting in 2013.<ref name=":4" /> As of September 2017, 4,000 works were fully digitized, with 15% of the entire stock being digitized since 2008.<ref name=":4" /> At the then rate of digitization using two cameras, one scanner, four lights, and other equipment, six books are transformed into PDF format weekly.<ref name=":4" />

The literary collection of the library is planned to be available for online reading through a digital portal:<ref>{{Cite web |last=SinghStation |date=2018-01-15 |title=Literature at Sikh Reference Library to be Available Online soon |url=https://singhstation.net/literature-sikh-reference-library-available-online-soon/ |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=SinghStation |language=en-US}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|text=The digitisation process is under way. Till date, around 80 per cent of our prized possessions have been scanned and digitised. Our motive is to make these available online so that the devotees can access those on their mobile phones or PCs.|author=Roop Singh, SGPC Chief Secretary}}

=== Relocation ===

The original library building is a small, two-story complex.<ref name=":4" /> A new building is being constructed at Bhai Gurdas Hall to rehouse the library in, as the current building in the Golden Temple complex is deemed too small to meet the needs of the growing collection.<ref name=":4" /> This has been opposed by some on the grounds that the original ___location is a witness to history of the events of Operation Blue Star and serves as a reminder for devotees of that episode.<ref name=":2" />

There are also plans for the setting up of a building to be named ''Guru Granth Sahib Bhawan'', where historical manuscripts of Sikh scriptures will be displayed for public viewing.<ref name=":4" />

==References==

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{{Authority control}}

{{Sikhism}}

[[Category:History of Amritsar]]

[[Category:Sikh places]]

[[Category:History of Sikhism]]

[[Category:DefunctDestroyed libraries]]

[[Category:Libraries established in 1946]]

[[Category:Libraries disestablished in 1984]]

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[[Category:1984 disestablishments in India]]

[[Category:Sikhism in Punjab, India]]

[[Category:Book burnings]]

[[Category:Destruction of cultural heritage]]

[[Category:Cover-ups]]

[[Category:Controversies in India]]

[[Category:Buildings and structures destroyed by arson]]