When we look at our dynamic history of Panthik leadership through both the spiritual and political faculties, we see a superb history of the winning of hearts and minds.
No matter how you gloss and dress up leadership, it is defunct if those who you represent have low confidence and trust in the leadership.
When leadership struggle to feel the pulse of the critical mass at grassroots then there is a serious disconnection which leads to stand-offs and stagnation.
It’s evident that as a Panth, we are in a transition of leadership where the grassroots have gained the momentum to shake the hierarchies.
In our history, there perhaps has not been such a low point and this low point in leadership confidence resulted in the symbolic shake up and drive for reform we saw last week with 600,000 in body and millions in spirit supporting the Sarbat Khalsa. I have not been involved in Panthik circles as long as many of my respected friends and am willing to accept accusations of inexperience as a limitation to my interpretation.
Today we are privileged to be developed through leadership programs in our working lives, many of us progressing in our careers. We are being respected as academics in reputable educational institutes. There is certainly no lack of talent and intellect in our community and perhaps we are even over qualified.
However, where intellect may seem the superior strategy, is it always the right thing to govern leadership?
Sometimes understanding the emotive wave, standing in solidarity and remaining principled may be where the strength lies, as “unsophisticated” it may seem to many. This is something I have had the privilege of learning from working alongside elders in our community who may not have the education we deem acceptable but have the leadership skills that far outweigh those of any academics Sikh leadership requires Guru-centric decision making which involves ensuring the leadership is not skewed by one group or one individual.
In the UK, the Sikh community have suffered from personality driven structures being in positions of influence and monopolising much of the dialogue and decisions.
Gurdwara committees, Jathebandis and higher levels representation follow a pattern of personality and popularity politics rather than the Miri-Piri Sovereign approach. This has resulted in our frustrating stalemate position. Sangat do not have the full confidence in leadership and Panthik leadership looks disjointed from the Sangat In the past, I have not perhaps fully bought into the Punj Pyaray leadership model. However, I am beginning to understand the strengths in this system and how it aligns to Guru-centric decision making mitigating risks of personalities and agenda driven outcomes.
The Punj (five) system, with ancient origins in the Panchyat system of Indo-Perisa, was endorsed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj and the system supported the Panth through the most challenging times. The strength of a panel of 5 decision makers outweighs the over administration of a 21 or 51 man committee and at the same time safeguards against domineering individuals. In the UK Sikh leadership, the Punj (five) can be endorsed by the Sangat based on their Gurmat values and as a panel can have the role of ratifing decisions put forward by the Sarbat or a committee.
Similar to Punjab, the UK leadership is in need of progressing a structure which has the buy-in of the masses and is run in such a way that the Sangat can proudly feel represented across both genders and all classes. With all the goodwill, committees and subcommittee, unless there is a robust Gurmat based structure at the top then I cannot see how we escape the disjointed decision making.
for the kind information, first of all, Naturalized Citizens of United States, carrying USA PASSPORTS, need need
obtain Indian Visa stamped, FOR LEISURE / BUSINESS, foreigners visiting mother land, indulge in unlawful
activities, hateful speeches, disturbing the peaceful living of our people,punishable under the law.
SURAT SINGH daughter ……..kaur marched to leave India by end of July 2015, she was escorted/ flown back
to USA 4-5 days of her first husband Bhola killed by an former RENTER, who was evicted served 3 days notice
LIARS LIARS LIARS LIARS LIARS , pants on fire, Liars has no legs to stand upon, JHOOT DE PAER NAHIN
HUNDE, neither Surat singh or his daughter/her boy friend kulwant/son ravinderjit s gogi extended invitation
to visit Punjab nor the peace loving people of Punajb to welcome. STOP THIS NONSENSE
We love our people, respect our people, we will never ever allow RACIST/CASTIST/COMMUNAL forces
waging a war , instigated the only and only CLEAN SHAVEN JUS TV ANCHOR HARVINDER RIAR, right after
the rascal, enemy of TURBAN/BEARD, not allowed /permitted to witness the ground breaking ceremony
next to Tierra Buena Sikh Temple, 14 acres land donated by S DIDAR S BAINS, + 60 million dollar farmer
on Nov 3rd, 2014, the day of 35th Annual Sikh Day Parade
We all know more and more about these son of the bitches,HARVINDER RIAR/MUNISH KUMAR RODE/PODE
the third KNUCKLED HEADED gurpatwant singh pannu of SIKH FOR JUSTIC
US courts rejected SFJ plea on tuesday Nov.17th, and in the past………
Another apologist for anti Sikh pogrom violence – idiot can’t even stop ranting his delusions in typeface and yet threatens Sikhs with violence for expressing free speech, a basic human right. ‘Liars, liars, pants on fire’ – we are dealing with the mind of child so I suppose I shouldn’t bother putting this nitwit straight.