49![As the established Sikh leadership in Delhi, through their wayward ways, makes the Sikhs a laughing stock in the Indian capital of Delhi, a group of youngsters under the interesting banner of Delhi Fateh Jatha are keen to reverse the trend by ushering in change and making the established Sikh leadership accountable to the Sikh Sangat. A new body of Sikh youth –Delhi Fateh Jatha –taking the nomenclature of the traditional Akalis of yesteryears by using the word Jatha –signifying […]](https://www.theworldsikhnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Delhi-Fateh-Jatha.jpg)
As the established Sikh leadership in Delhi, through their wayward ways, makes the Sikhs a laughing stock in the Indian capital of Delhi, a group of youngsters under the interesting banner of Delhi Fateh Jatha are keen to reverse the trend by ushering in change and making the established Sikh leadership accountable to the Sikh Sangat.
A new body of Sikh youth –Delhi Fateh Jatha –taking the nomenclature of the traditional Akalis of yesteryears by using the word Jatha –signifying a collective with a collective leadership, young Sikhs, primarily from West Delhi came together and organised a seminar on the role of Sikhs in Delhi under the present circumstances.
The pioneers of the movement Iqbal Singh, Bhavneet Singh, Jaswinder Singh and Amardeep Singh told this reporter that, “along with many of our associates, we are keen to usher in a climate of debate and dialogue to understand the problems and prospects for work amongst the Sikhs in Delhi. A change for the better.”
“There was a need to understand the whole situation. Sikhs do not live in isolation. Nobody does. The whole gamut of changes taking place is dynamic in nature and in this development Sikhs have to chalk out their plans and strategies.”
An interesting pattern seems to be emerging in many Sikh circles today. While the Sikhs are distraught at the deteriorating standards of Sikh religious and public life of their leaders, there are many among the community, especially the youth who are keen to turn the tide by starting a string of dialogues and debates on substantive issues confronting the Sikhs. The Delhi Fateh Jatha should be seen as a development towards this end.
Speaking at the well attended seminar, primarily of youngsters, noted historian and scholar Ajmer Singh said that, “there was need to understand the whole situation. Sikhs do not live in isolation. Nobody does. The whole gamut of changes taking place is dynamic in nature and in this development Sikhs have to chalk out their plans and strategies.” He told the gathering, listening with rapt attention that there was no short-cut and Sikhs had to take into account the many facets of the struggle.
“Thinking immediately of solutions without understanding the problem that Sikhs have to grapple with is fraught with danger. We get wrong results because we have not understood the problem correctly.”
“There are thirteen different strains of solutions that Sikhs are cogitating with, to better their lot in the society and world, each having the potential to resolve the various challenges.”
Alluding to the geo-political situation in India, the role of Indian political parties, the role of Brahmins and the other higher castes, he said, “the propensity of the Brahmin to cheat wholesale has to be understood thoroughly.” He however warned that, “even after understanding we can make mistakes, but efforts have to be done to go the root of the issue.”
In a remarkable sincere speech, straight from the heart, in a measured tone and tenor, the like of which is a rarity nowadays, young theorist, scholar and activist Mandhir Singh mentioned that there are thirteen different strains of solutions that Sikhs are cogitating with, to better their lot in the society and world. Without taking sides, he politely mentioned that each one solution has the potential to resolve the various challenges that the Sikhs face on many fronts, yet, Sikhs themselves will have to handle the same and keep on evolving a solution best suited for the challenges and the times, in any given situation. Reacting to the manner of speaking and deliverance shown by Mandhir Singh, activist Gurmeet Singh from Delhi said, “He was a classic example of what a parliamentarian should be like. I have never listened to such a speech in the last two decades. It was simply exceptional.”
“Character building, poverty alleviation, education, health and resource generation can be a five-point agenda for the Delhi Fateh Jatha to follow.”
As Ajmer Singh provided the historical-philosophical touch and Mandhir Singh rendered the theoretical base for the challenges, World Sikh News editor Jagmohan Singh outlined the practical role that the youth could play to bring about change on the canvas of Sikhs in Delhi. He said that, “character building, poverty alleviation, education, health and resource generation can be a five-point agenda for the Delhi Fateh Jatha to follow.” Alluding again and again to the fact that there is no need for hurry and that there are no short-cuts, he urged the youth to take up problems one by one and solve them. He asked them to develop reading skills and be aware of the developments around them.
Delhi is the epicentre of politics in the country. Delhi is a place where in yesteryears the Sikh leadership came, conquered and returned back to Punjab. Sikhs have a very close tie-up with Delhi.
Today, the entrenched Sikh leadership of Delhi, particularly of the DSGMC is making Sikhs a laughing stock. The Delhi Fateh Jatha is determined to put the community on the right course and to make the established Sikh leadership accountable.
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