54![The issue of SFJ -Sikhs for Justice versus DSGMC is a development which has left a scar on Sikh minds. It should not have happened. There is no place for lumpenisation of action by the SFJ and lumpenisation of thought by DSGMC. Gurdwara premises cannot become a theatre for fisticuffs and settling scores, howsoever serious the issue may be. The community must rise to the occasion and evolve a code of conduct. DSGMC sings “Raag Darbari”, “Shameless Akali Dal” wrecks […]](https://www.theworldsikhnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/SFJ-vs-DSGMC.jpg)
The issue of SFJ -Sikhs for Justice versus DSGMC is a development which has left a scar on Sikh minds. It should not have happened. There is no place for lumpenisation of action by the SFJ and lumpenisation of thought by DSGMC. Gurdwara premises cannot become a theatre for fisticuffs and settling scores, howsoever serious the issue may be. The community must rise to the occasion and evolve a code of conduct.
DSGMC sings “Raag Darbari”, “Shameless Akali Dal” wrecks political discourse, “Innocent Congress” muddles 1984, “Sikhs for Injustice” wreaks havoc on Sikh polity; Sikhs bamboozled
Within the last 100 hours, political turmoil in the Sikh world has left Sikhs bamboozled, devout in tears, image of the Sikhs has taken a beating causing extensive damage to the “Who are the Sikhs” campaign, and upset the political apple-cart. One religious body –the DSGMC, two political parties –Shiromani Akali Dal and the Congress and one embryonic human rights front –Sikhs for Justice have played games which has tortured the Sikh community.
When DSGMC chief Manjit Singh GK landed in the US last week, he was conscious of the ire of the Sikhs towards Badal Dal for their pro-BJP and pro-India stand. The Punjab leadership of the party has refrained from making Gurdwara presence, either out of fear or out of deference to the nuisance value of those opposed to them. The Gurdwaras that invited Manjit Singh to address the Sangat cannot be absolved of their role in not making adequate arrangements for peaceful conduct of Gurdwara affairs.
“One religious body –the DSGMC, two political parties –Shiromani Akali Dal and the Congress and one embryonic human rights front –Sikhs for Justice have played games which has tortured the Sikh community.”
The current DSGMC leadership has been hyperactive in Sikh affairs –from Shillong to Haryana, positively intervening in many Sikh issues. They have taken up many pro-environment and religious reform activities. Yet, the undercurrents are clear to the discerning observer.
DSGMC General Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa is a BJP legislator of Delhi assembly. Four members are councillors of Delhi Municipal Corporation, of which Paramjit Singh Rana, is Religious affairs incharge. The inglorious stand of their parent body in Punjab on sacrilege in Bargari, killings of youth in Behbal Kalan is too well-known. The alacrity with which DSGMC acted in support of the Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh on the issue of pardon to Dera Sauda chief bespeaks how Manjit Singh and his team were made scapegoats by their the parent body.
On the other side of the spectrum, the emerging human rights outfit “Sikhs for Justice” became “Sikhs for Injustice” when it chose to wreak revenge against Manjit Singh GK, by forcing him to return from a Gurdwara Sahib in New York, threatening and abusing him outside a TV studio, physically assaulting him in Yuba City, California and creating an environment for his absence in San Jose.
Taking advantage of the liberties of the West, the SFJ volunteers –most of them apostate Sikhs on the forefront, resorted to abuse within Gurdwara premises and became advocates and adjudicators of Sikh freedom. Significantly, the SFJ leaders chose to remain silent, both in print and on YouTube, allowing their volunteers to issue threats and advance their perverted logic to justify their actions.
“The Sikh Sangat and opinion makers need to come out of their shells and call a spade a spade before it is too late.”
The SFJ and other Sikh organisations have the full right to oppose anyone they choose to, for whatever cause they strongly feel about, but to resort to undemocratic means is unacceptable. Their constant refrain is, “If you are not with us, you are against us.” The SFJ miserably failed to realise that with their democratic and peaceful referendum mission, there is absolutely no room for violence or maltreatment of an adversary. They have dealt a huge blow to their own cause.
Unfortunately, Manjit Singh GK did not react with dignity and pause. Singing “Raag Darbari” –the tune of the right-wing BJP, which sees all pro-Sikh human rights campaigns in India and in any other country as those sponsored and supported by Pakistan, he obfuscated his response. He ridiculed Sikh asylum seekers saying that “former Punjab CM Beant Singh had forced you to immigrate”. In Delhi, the DSGMC leadership went one step ahead saying “the entire schemata of the attack on the DSGMC chief were orchestrated by the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI”.
The Shiromani Akali Dal became “shameless” once again. Instead of limiting the US incidents within the Sikh world, they are uselessly attempting to make it a bilateral issue between India and the US. They have wrecked the political narrative within the community. A fight on the issue of sacrilege at Barghari and justice to the youth killed in Behbal Kalan has been twisted beyond recognition. They are standing against their own people in a glaringly pro-state manner.
“No individual is too big and no issue is that large that the sanctity, dignity and decorum of Sikh institutions and Sikh symbols of grace and respect can be compromised by dropping or knocking off the turban.”
Not to be left behind, Congress party chief Rahul Gandhi and Punjab CM Amarinder Singh add fuel to the fire by wanting us to believe that Congress was innocent in November 1984. Sikhs are not naive. The statement of Rajiv Gandhi, “When a big tree falls, earth shakes” and the long list of Congressmen cited by PUCL-PUDR in “Who Are the Guilty?” is still fresh in Sikh minds.
Sikhs are numbed by the political turmoil. World Sikh Organisation of Canada president Mukhbir Singh has rightly said , “We condemn the violence that took place at Yuba City Gurdwara. Differences of political and religious opinion must be discussed and debated but there can be no tolerance for violence or intimidation. The Sikh community will not allow Gurdwaras to become venues for physical altercations between disputing parties. We call on all sides to avoid provocative language and threats and to engage in a constructive dialogue.”
All saner elements within the community denounce internecine battles. The democratisation of the Sikh polity is still a far cry. Whether in Gurdwaras, social bodies, or major Sikh institutions, we are far away from the historic Commonwealth of the Khalsa, who use to sit together at the portals of the Akal Takht and make historic collective decisions and resolve conflicts.
The Sikh Sangat and opinion makers need to come out of their shells and call a spade a spade before it is too late. No individual is too big and no issue is that large that the sanctity, dignity and decorum of Sikh institutions and Sikh symbols of grace and respect can be compromised by dropping or knocking off the turban.
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