SGPC Lodges Protest Against Saudi Restaurant Mimicking Golden Temple Design

• May 13, 2025

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has formally raised objections with the Centre and the Indian Embassy in Riyadh over a restaurant in Saudi Arabia allegedly designed to resemble the Golden Temple, Sikhism’s holiest shrine.

The SGPC has accused the restaurant owner of using images and architectural elements inspired by the Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple) for commercial gain, a move the Sikh religious body deems highly disrespectful.

Complaint Triggered by Community Outrage

According to SGPC secretary Partap Singh, the protest came after several members of the Sikh community, including those based in Saudi Arabia, approached both the Akal Takht—the highest temporal authority of the Sikh faith—and the SGPC.

“Sikhs residing in Saudi Arabia informed us that the restaurant's interiors closely resemble the sacred shrine,” said Singh. “Golden domes have been constructed on top of the building, and the pillars and walls have been given a gold finish, mimicking the appearance of the Golden Temple.”

He added, “Whether intentional or not, this design seems aimed at attracting Sikh and Punjabi patrons for business purposes, which amounts to religious insensitivity and commodification of faith.”

SGPC Demands Complete Redesign

The SGPC has demanded that:

• All depictions and images of Harmandar Sahib be removed from both the interior and exterior of the restaurant.

• The restaurant’s architecture be completely altered to avoid resemblance to the Golden Temple.

The committee has urged the Indian government to lodge a strong protest with Saudi Arabian authorities and ensure that appropriate action is taken.

SGPC Executive Meeting Scheduled

In a separate development, the SGPC executive committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday in Amritsar. Although the official agenda remains undisclosed, sources suggest key issues could be addressed, including:

• Growing dissent over Takht jathedar appointments, with pressure mounting from the Damdami Taksal, Nihang Singh groups, and other Sikh bodies. These groups have issued a May 10 ultimatum to the SGPC, demanding the reinstatement of three jathedars or face protests.

• Discussion on the mercy petition for Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict, seeking the commutation of his sentence to life imprisonment.

The outcome of the meeting is expected to be closely watched, as both issues have generated significant debate within the Sikh community.