The Sikh Bulletin

The Sikh Bulletin &`gx 535 February 2004
12. Sikhism is a religion in which discussion or exchange of
views is all-important. It is not a religion of those who are
bigoted or practice blind faith. Rather, it is a religion of those
who revolt against blind faith. It is not a religion of those
who follow antiquated practices or traditions, but of those
who reject old practices by testing them on the touchstone of
Gurmat. Secondly, even the leaders of stone-age religions
have changed greatly with the passage of time. But the
“Granthis” and leaders of our most modern religion,
sometimes behave in such a manner that it looks as if they
were living in the stone age and are representing an outdated
religion. People have realized that in the realm of religion,
creating hurdles in the way of discussion and exchange of
views ultimately proves to be harmful to the religion itself.
Therefore, it is my request that needless fruitless faultfinding
should not be encouraged: It will bring great harm to
Sikhism.
13. At present, the RSS wants that the “Granthis” appointed
by the politicians should be made to appear so powerful and
“supreme” in the name of Akal Takhat, that every command
of theirs should be taken by the Sikhs as a “Divine edict” so
as to enable the RSS make some future “Jathedar” declare
that the Sikhs are a part of Hinduism and even Lord Vishnu
ought to be worshipped at Sri Darbar Sahib, because
“Gurbilas Patshahi – 6” supports that claim. Already, a
Jathedar has described the Sikhs as the progeny of “Luv and
Kush,” and you yourself have added another insult by stating
“Gurbilas Patshahi – 6” as a gift to the Sikhs and advocated
its recitation in gurdwaras. The future looks grim and subject
to more manipulations. You can see why we harbor serious
questions about you and your abilities.
Summing up: I am committed to offering clarifications
about each and every complaint sent by you. All I need are
the documents in original or their copies. Secondly, under no
circumstances, are we prepared to bargain the freedom of
the press. I can give up the vocation of journalism but will
never compromise on vital question of freedom of the press.
Thirdly, the manner in which the Guru Panth had given a
clear verdict on Gurmat ideology, by braving threats and
crossing hurdles put in its path in an unprecedented manner, I
will never go against it. Fourthly, following in the footsteps
of Prof. Gurmukh Singh and Giani Dit Singh, I will certainly
wage a struggle to raise the flag of Gurmat to rid our
gurdwaras of the Hindu practices that have crept into them.
Guru Gobind Singh had bequeathed Guruship to the Guru
Granth and the Guru Panth only. My request to you is that
you should also give recognition to the verdict of the Guru
Panth. You should make every effort to forge unity in the
Panth. Entrust the entire issue to independent Panthic
thinkers and ask them to make recommendations on how the
entire Panth can remain ideologically united. It is hoped that
you will consider this request because it is in the interest of
the Panth itself. If I have done anything against the Guru's
commands, I should be told as to where I have erred. But if I
am only advocating compliance with the Guru's edicts, I hope
that Akal Takhat Sewadars will stand by me, will ensure the
unity and supremacy of the Guru Panth.
You have described the Spokesman as “my paper” in your
letter. Please note that this magazine is owned by JPC Ltd.,
which has thousands of shareholders, who assemble every
year and elect their Board of Directors, who alone can
formulate the policies of the Spokesman. You have fixed
January 7 (2004) as the date for submitting clarifications.
The time for fixing the date will arrive after you
acknowledge the letter of December 27, 2002, and with the
help of experts, attend to the questions raised by the writers
of that letter, besides those raised by me in this letter.
Ours is not a religion of deaf and dumb people and
there is a strong tradition of questioning. I advise you to
attend to the questions raised by the Guru-Panth, in the 26th
October (2003) World Sikh Convention. I am sure that once
you give a serious thought to the whole issue in the light of
Gurmat philosophy, you will no longer feel the necessity of
summoning any Sikh, nor issuing any “edict” and will rather
start helping the Sikhs take their own decisions by sitting
together in Sarbat Khalsa gatherings. It is for this purpose
only that the institution of “Jathedar” of the Sikhs had been
created and certainly not to follow the Muslim practice of
summoning the people and issuing “fatwas” and Hindu
practice of excommunicating them. The next convention, to
be held in 2004, will clear the position further especially on
a question related to the basic postulates of Sikhism and it is
my request that instead of dealing with people on individual
basis, all decisions should be taken as per the provisions of
Panth-approved “Sikh Reht Maryada” only, and the name of
“Akal Takhat” should not make one arrogant vis-a-vis the
Guru Panth. You are also answerable to the Guru Panth.
There is no post or position in Sikhism, the incumbent of
which can claim that he or she is not answerable to the Guru
Panth. Therefore, your thinking that because the politicians
have appointed you as “sewadar” of the Akal Takhat, every
Sikh is answerable to you but you yourself are answerable
to none.
Joginder Singh, Chief Editor, Spokesman
[The text has been summarized for want of space without losing the thrust
of S. Joginder Singh’s response. ED.]
*****
EXCOMMUNICATION OF KALA AFGHANA
Dr Jodh Singh, NY
Dear Dr. Kharak Singh Sahib,
Guru Fateh!
Attached please note a copy of my views on the article in
Gurmat Praksh, about Excommunication of Kala Afghana
I have not seen any facts in these lengthy verbose articles
other than countless names of institutions and people for
and against S. Kala Afghana. What are the facts And where
are they All I read is inflammatory threatening statements
about the supremacy of Akal Takhat. No Sikh has ever
challenged or denied the supremacy of Akal Takhat.
The crux of the problem, as you know it very well,
is the Jathedar Akal Takhat: Bhai Joginder Singh
Sandhu (Vedanti). He wanted to display and establish
The Sikh Center Roseville, 201 Berkeley Ave, Roseville, CA. 95678 8