Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Golden Temple renovation continues despite SGPC's stop-work assurance
The Golden Temple is a very special and holy place for Sikh people.
People are fixing up parts of the temple grounds right now.
Some workers put shiny new floor tiles under the roof's edge.
A group called the SGPC takes care of the temple.
It said it told the builders to stop and take the new tiles away.
But the installation work continued anyway.
Some people who love old buildings are upset.
They say the new tiles do not look like they belong with the temple's beautiful old style.
They want old-fashioned artwork that matches the temple's design instead.
Everyone wants the temple to look nice, but people disagree about how to do it.
The SGPC said it directed the Damdami Taksal to stop work and undo the installation of modern commercial tiles at the martyrdom site of Shaheed Baba Deep Singh.
Despite the SGPC's assurance, tile installation work continued on Wednesday.
Critics and heritage enthusiasts raised concerns after modern commercial tiles were spotted under the eaves (chhajja) of the structure.
Conservationists argue that commercial tiles clash with traditional Sikh architectural heritage in historic gurdwaras.
Experts suggest the structure should feature intricate, historic-style artwork similar to the chhajja of the Darshani Deori.
- Who
- The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which said it directed the Damdami Taksal to stop work, as well as critics, heritage enthusiasts and conservationists concerned about the renovation.
- What
- A renovation inside the Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex involving modern commercial tiles, which the SGPC said it ordered stopped and undone but which continued.
- When
- The tile installation continued on Wednesday; it is the second time the SGPC has faced controversy over the renovation.
- Where
- Inside the Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex, at the martyrdom site of Shaheed Baba Deep Singh and under the eaves (chhajja) of the structure.
- Why
- Because modern commercial tiles are considered to clash with traditional Sikh architectural heritage in historic gurdwaras.
Critics and conservationists
SGPC and Damdami Taksal
Continuation of tile installation
Critics and conservationists
Installation of modern tiles continued on Wednesday, contradicting claims that the work was discontinued.
SGPC and Damdami Taksal
The SGPC assured it had directed the Damdami Taksal to stop work and undo the installation.
Compatibility of modern tiles with Sikh heritage
Critics and conservationists
Commercial tiles clash with traditional Sikh architectural heritage, and the structure should feature intricate, historic-style artwork similar to the chhajja of the Darshani Deori.
SGPC and Damdami Taksal
The SGPC said it had already directed the work to stop and the installation to be undone, acknowledging the tiles should not remain.
- Religious site
- Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex
- Governing body
- Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)
- Disputed work
- Installation of modern commercial tiles under the eaves (chhajja)
- Affected site
- Martyrdom site of Shaheed Baba Deep Singh
- SGPC assurance
- Directed Damdami Taksal to stop work and undo the installation
- Current status
- Tile installation continued on Wednesday
- Controversy count
- Second time SGPC is involved in this controversy