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

| name = Sikh Reference Library

| image = Sikh_Reference_Library_entrance_and_building.jpeg

| caption = The entrance of the library

| country = [[India]]

| type =

| established = 27 October 1946

| dissolved = 7 June 1984, [[Operation Blue Star]]<br>Later revived and continues in operation to present-day

| ___location = [[Amritsar]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]

| coordinates = {{coord|31.619268432138938|74.87647883793478}}

| affiliation = [[Harmandir Sahib|Golden Temple complex]]<br>Sikh History Research Board of the SGPC

| website =

| scope = Mainly Sikhism and Punjab, but also contained works on various other topics

| collection_size =*Estimated 20,000 total literary works just prior to its destruction in June 1984

*Revived library estimated to contain 24,540 books in 2017

| branch_of = [[Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee]] (SGPC)

}}

[[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 overan 1estimated 20,500000 rareliterary manuscriptsworks located in the [[Harmandir Sahib|Golden 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 7, 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 [[SGPCShiromani 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==

The Sikh Reference Library was established by the [[SGPC]] with a [[Resolution (law)|resolution]] dated October 27, October 1946.<ref name="tribune_fire_2003" /> The library had its roots in a meeting of the [[Sikh Historical Society]] under the presidency of [[Princess Bamba]] on February 10, February 1945 at [[Khalsa College, Amritsar]] which established the Central Sikh library.<ref name="tribune_fire_2003" /> The Central Sikh library was then folded into the Sikh Reference Library.

==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" />

Before its destruction, the library contained rare books and manuscripts on [[Sikhism|Sikh]] religion, history, and culture. It also contained handwritten manuscripts of the [[Guru Granth Sahib]] and [[Hukmnama]]s containing signatures of [[Sikh Gurus]].<ref name="tribune_fire_2003" /> The library also held documents related to the [[Indian Independence Movement]].

==Destruction==

According to the [[Indian Army]] white paper on [[Operation Blue Star]], the library was destroyed on the night of 5 June 5, 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 June 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 June 6 and 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 5, 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 [[Central Bureau of Investigation]]CBI, and the empty library was burned by the army afterwards.<ref name="tribune_fire_2003" /> At that ___location, the [[Central Bureau of Investigation|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==

In 2003, Ranjit Nanda, a former inspector for the [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]], (CBI) turned [[whistleblower]] and revealed he was part of a five -member team which scrutinized the documents at the [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]]'s makeshift office at Amritsar's Youth Club.<ref name="tribune_fire_2003" /> He revealed that officials from his department were "desperately looking for a purported letter written by [[Indira Gandhi]], the then Prime Minister, to [[Jarnail Singh BhinderanwaleBhindranwale]]", and reported seeing letters from the other leaders addressed to Sant Jarnail Singh BhinderanwaleJi Khalsa Bhindranwale.<ref name="tribune_fire_2003" /> Manjit Calcutta, a former secretary of the [[SGPC]], corroborated Nanda's version of events but further alleged that the army set the library "on fire in desperation when it failed to find the letter".<ref name="tribune_fire_2003" /> Nanda further confirmed the [[SGPC]]'s version of events by describing how after inspecting each book and manuscript the [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] packed the documents into 165 numbered gunny sacks and bundled the material into waiting army vehicles because of a meeting of Sikh high priests taking place at the time.<ref name="tribune_fire_2003" /> He also showed a letter from his superiors commending his work "during examination of documents from SGPC ".<ref name="tribune_fire_2003" />

==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 [[Central Bureau of Investigation|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=May 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 23, 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 [[Central Bureau of Investigation|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" />

In a visit to [[Jalandhar]], [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]] [[George Fernandes]] announced that the CBI had destroyed 117 "seditious" documents from the material taken from the Sikh Reference Library.<ref name="tribune_fire_2003" />

On 25 March 25, 2003, [[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]] made assurances that the books, documents, and manuscripts would be returned,; however, he took no further action.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-03-25/chandigarh/27269547_1_sgpc-harbeant-singh-kirpal-singh-badungar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104211005/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-03-25/chandigarh/27269547_1_sgpc-harbeant-singh-kirpal-singh-badungar|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 November 2012|title=Precious books will be returned: Kalam assures SGPC chief - The Times of India|last=Rana|first=Yudhvir|date=Mar 25, Mar 2003|work=[[IndiatimesThe Times of India]]|accessdate=21 February 2011}}</ref>

InOn 26 April 26, 2004, the [[Punjab and Haryana High Court]] ordered the [[Government of India|Central Government]], [[Government of Punjab (India)|Government of Punjab]], and the [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] to return the "valuables, books, scriptures, paintings, etc, that were seized from the Golden Temple during “Operation Bluestar” in 1984".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040427/punjab1.htm#38|title=Material seized during Bluestar to be returned|work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|publisher=The Tribune|accessdate=21 February 2011|___location=Chandigarh}}</ref>

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’sTemple's missing manuscripts - India - DNA|last=Bharadwaj|first=Ajay|date=Feb 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=May 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 ==

=== Restocking ===

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.

=== Preservation ===

On May 23, 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 [[Central Bureau of Investigation|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" />

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 ===

In a visit to [[Jalandhar]], [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]] [[George Fernandes]] announced that the CBI had destroyed 117 "seditious" documents from the material taken from the Sikh Reference Library.<ref name="tribune_fire_2003" />

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>

On March 25, 2003, [[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]] made assurances that the books, documents, and manuscripts would be returned, however he took no further action.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-03-25/chandigarh/27269547_1_sgpc-harbeant-singh-kirpal-singh-badungar|title=Precious books will be returned: Kalam assures SGPC chief - The Times of India|last=Rana|first=Yudhvir|date=Mar 25, 2003|work=[[Indiatimes]]|accessdate=21 February 2011}}</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 ===

In April 26, 2004, the [[Punjab and Haryana High Court]] ordered the [[Government of India|Central Government]], [[Government of Punjab (India)|Government of Punjab]], and the [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] to return the "valuables, books, scriptures, paintings, etc, that were seized from the Golden Temple during “Operation Bluestar” in 1984".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040427/punjab1.htm#38|title=Material seized during Bluestar to be returned|work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|publisher=The Tribune|accessdate=21 February 2011|___location=Chandigarh}}</ref>

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" />

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=Feb 27, 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=May 21, 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" />

==References==

{{reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{coord missing|India}}

{{Sikhism}}

[[Category:History of Amritsar]]

[[Category:DefunctSikh librariesplaces]]

[[Category:History of Sikhism]]

[[Category:Destroyed libraries]]

[[Category:Libraries established in 1946]]

[[Category:Libraries disestablished in 1984]]

[[Category:Libraries in India]]

[[Category:1946 establishments in India]]

[[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]]