Das, has studied at the British library over the last six years. I have been reading this thread and there are a number of issues people have raised. Firstly the British library have quite a strict policy about how manuscripts are treated, including Sri Guru Granth/Dasam Granth Sahibs: Hands must be clean, the manuscript must be positioned correctly, no pens are allowed to be used, and people are nearby supervising, no photographs are allowed. I respect all of this. However it always hurts me, that Guru Granth Sahib is not given a greater respect by the library. None of the Saroops/Gutke are in Rumalle.
I have spoken to Michael O'Keefe about this, but he said that the Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Punjab libraries recieved little or no respect. Unfortunately that is the case! Guru Granth Sahib and Dasam Granth Sahib/Sarbloh Granth is kept on shelves in practically all the libraries. The most respect I have seen was as Punjabi University Patiala, where the Saroops were in Rumalle and ceremonially seated on Gaddiya. The worst example were Saroops in metal cabinets with the SGPC with no Gaddiya, and sometimes no rumalle. Apparently they are working on changing this. I complained to Jathedar Vedanti Sahib in person, of this complete and utter disrespect of the bani of our Guru Sahiban. It is a sad fact that the British library have preserved these manuscripts better than Sikhs have in Punjab and India. While us Sikhs are guilty of both cremation of extant priceless Sarups, and lack of respect and preservation. However this does not change the fact that the Guru Granth Sahib/Dasam Granth is kept unceremoniously at the British Library.
There are a number of libraries in the UK that have very old copies of Guru Granth Sahib and Dasam Granth, I have had Darshan of most of them. They are all over the UK. There is a very old Saroop of Guru Granth Sahib, one of the oldest on record, circa mid to late 17th century at another top University. You will find other Saroops of Guru Granth Sahib at Edingburgh, Manchester, and Cambridge, there is a large list. There is even one Saroop in Ireland taken in the battle of Gujarat. Some of the Saroops were taken as loot by the British in the Anglo-Sikh wars. There may be a law that requires them to return them back to the Guru Khalsa Panth. Like Dasam Pita's shastar were returned back not long ago by the Crown. It is correct that the British library has the most handwritten Saroops, however there are more saroops that are printed, or stone-printed, Pathhar Chapp in the British library. I have also had Darshan of these Saroops. Therefore it is incorrect to say there are only 17 saroops of Guru Ji at the British Library, in actual fact there are many more. If the R4G want a list of numbers/etc, I can provide it.
The parkash of Sri Dasam Granth Sahib at the V and A was completely wrong, and should never be repeated. The saroop was left Parkash for months. Imagine if that happended in a Gurudwara we would all get very very upset. However if powerful establishments do that, its fine! Many of the Saroops given to the British by Sikhs were given with Chananee, Gaddiya, which is sometimes recorded in the details of the Saroop. The donaters requested the British to show respect to both Guru Granth Sahib and Dasam Granth by using these. Unfortunately they have not kept to their word. Some Saroops even have records by those who took them in battle like 'never to leave England' 'taken from the camp of the Sikhs', 'taken from the hands of a dying Sikh'.
Most of the people who the British library consult are Coconuts, they will do anything to please these powerful organisations to gain some favours, or get their organisation or name promoted. Sad fact is, our organisations do not represent Sikhs they represent the objectives of these organisations. In the garb of heritage, interfaith, and tolerance, they continue to sell out the Guru, the Panth, and the Shahids. What makes us a unique Panth is our reverance for our living Guru, Guru Granth Sahib. The moment we allow Maharaj to be treated like a book, is one step closer to becoming Anglicised, by moving away from our way of life, our Rahit Maryada. If you research the so-called heritage movments around, you will find they are simply lining their own pockets.