Punjab plume controversy

In the Indian subcontinent, the rulers have often worn a "kalgi" or plume (a jewelled ornament with one or more feathers) in the front of their turbans ( see [http://www.4dw.net/royalark/India/salute.htm Salute Rulers of India] ). In Sikhism, some of the Sikh Gurus, specially Guru Gobind Singh, are often shown using a plume.

In north India, the bridegoom is regarded to be a king for a day, and customarily wears a plume [ [http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/04/stories/2007060402631100.htm The Hindu : Opinion / News Analysis : Politics, religion, and resistance ] ] . However in recent years, the Sikh orthodoxy has started claiming that anyone wearing a kalgi is imitating Guru Gobind Singh [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1218096983.cms Punjab faces another religio-political crisis-India-The Times of India ] ] . The individuals accused of imitatiing Guru Gobind Singh include:

* Baba Bhaniara.
* Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh [http://worldsikhnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=653&Itemid=29]
* Onkar Singh Kara

No contemporary portraits of Guru Gobind Singh exist. The oldest portraits date to 1800s ( [http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/galleries/faith/object.cfm?f=sikhism&uid=033ORI0000II014U00002V00 1800-1850] , [http://chdmuseum.nic.in/art_gallery/indian_miniature_painting.html 1815-1882] ), more than a hundred years after Guru Gobind Singh's Sikh ascension into heaven in 1708. For comparison, see [http://www.askasia.org/teachers/images/image.php?no=216 Shah Jahan Accepts a Falcon from Dara Shikoh, 1630] .

ee also

* Hindu wedding
* Anand Karaj

References