The Sikhs in the city have emerged as role models for community members across the country.

The city chapter of the Central Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (CGPC) have emerged leaders in the true sense by bringing about essential social reforms. The committee have insisted on taking out of the marriage procession in the daylight, not allowing boys of the community with short hair to be married in the gurdwara, and making brides wear salwar suits and nothing else.

“We think it is a good idea to do away with entertaining the bridegroom’s party a day in advance. It only lessens the financial burden of the bride’s family,” said Paramjit Singh Sarna, the president of the Delhi Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee.

The CGPC has even stopped the girls from sporting western clothes during religious ceremonies.

The apex body of all gurdwaras in Amritsar has made their consent public by sending an appreciation letter to the city chapter recently. “They have lauded our efforts and this has motivated us to carry on with the good work that we have put in the recent past,” said Sardar Shailendar Singh, the president of the Jharkhand Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee. “The reforms have all been done in good stead, the community and society at large would benefit from this,” said Sarna.

There are inklings that the other states across the country would too adopt the reforms at their own levels.