AMRITSAR: Acting on suggestions and complaints of some faithful, Akal Takht – the highest temporal body of Sikhs – ruled on Tuesday that Guru Granth Sahib can't co-exist in houses that have bars or with things proscribed by the religion, such as tobacco, intoxicants and halal meat. The decision was taken at a meeting of the top Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht secretariat in Amritsar.

Akal Takht jathedar (chief) Giani Gurbachan Singh said keeping the Granth Sahib in houses of Sikhs who had made liquor bars in their drawing rooms was tantamount to disrespect for the holy book, which is considered a living embodiment of Sikh gurus.

Besides bars, the Sikh families using substances that are against the basic tenets of the religion have also been cautioned against keeping the holy book in their homes.

"Sikh families who consume halal meat, smoke hookah, charas (hashish) and tobacco are also banned from having the parkash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in their homes. We have not only given directives but also advised Sikhs to abstain from such practices else religious action would be taken against them on receiving any such complaint or violation," said Singh.