London (UK) auction house removes Sikh scripture from sale after community outrage

Sikh community outrage regarding the sale sacred Sikh scripture led to an auction house removing Angs (meaning limbs, referring to pages) of Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikh scriptural Guru) from its listings.

Auction house Roseberys London was advertising several lots of Sikh scripture from a private seller earlier this month. In response, individual members of the Sikh community sent emails to the auction house, expressing “utter outrage and deep offence” regarding the sale. Roseberys London responded by saying that they “apologise wholeheartedly for any
offence caused”, whilst removing the auction listing.

Guru Granth Sahib Ji is regarded as the living Guru for Sikhs, and is therefore treated with regal protocol by Sikhs, and anything other than such treatment is considered beadbi (sacrilege). The idea of these manuscripts not being treated with due respect, and being sold for profit, is therefore very upsetting to the Sikh community.

The items put on sale included six large Angs from an 1850 Saroop (form of Guru Granth Sahib Ji), 15 Angs from an early 20th century Saroop, as well as an illustrated bifolio from a dispersed Sikh religious document containing GurBani (Guru’s word, referring to Sikh scripture).

A petition to prevent the sale preceded wider community action, with over 8000 signatures demanding the following of the auction house:

1. Immediately withdraw the GurBani from the auction.
2. Acknowledge the religious and cultural sensitivity surrounding these sacred texts.
3. Commit to never auctioning sacred religious texts.
4. ⁠To agree to enter into mediation regarding the handling of Gurbani and Birdh Saroops in
   their possession.

The response from Roseberrys – sent to many who emailed the 30+ year old auction house – stated the “vendor had good title to sell and comes from within the community”. It is unclear as of yet whether the vendor is Sikh or just part of the Asian community. Despite the listing being removed, many Sikhs are still concerned about the ultimate home the Angs will go to.

Sikhs in Law, a representative body for Sikh legal professionals, have contacted Roseburys London since their response. In their letter, they state:

“This is not the first time such an incident has occurred, and we expect it will not be the last. As such, we are in the process of working with Sikh academics to draft an educational document for auction houses as a source of reference for items related to the Sikh religion, and also a voluntary pledge document to not deal in items that comprise of Sikh religious text.”

The auction house has been invited to work on this education document and make a pledge to it.

The issue is a reoccurring debate within Sikh circles, as there are several manuscripts of GurBani in circulation in UK museums, libraries and with private sellers. Many believe these Saroops were stolen from Sikhs, in some cases violently, during the British occupation of Punjab and taken back to Britain. Almost all of these Saroops are not treated with respect Sikh educators would mandate for GurBani.

Unlike other artefacts stolen by the British from other countries, there is not effort to see Saroops of Guru Granth Sahib Ji repatriated to the land from which they were stolen. Many Sikh orgs feel these Saroops should be entrusted into local Sikh communities.

Repatriation of these Saroops is very important to the Sikh community, and a key point in the Sikh Manifesto (Section 5) put out by the Sikh Federation for this upcoming general election.