MILPITAS, California, USA—After facing growing opposition, including challenges by Sikh scholars and protests by local Sangat, Bhai Sarbjeet Singh Dhunda finally agreed to sit down and discuss issues with local Sikhs on April 20. A meeting was scheduled for 3:00 PM at the Milpitas Gurdwara Sahib between Bhai Sarbjeet Singh Dhunda, Bhai Sukhdev Singh (Tracy), Dr. Harbhajan Singh and Bhai Navjot Singh (Sacramento).
The meeting was moderated by Bhai Jasjeet Singh and Bhai Ravinder Singh who warned both groups to adhere to a set of rules and not indulge in name calling. While meeting was originally scheduled for 3:00 PM, both Dr. Harbhajan Singh and Bhai Navjot Singh had to wait 3.5 hours to finally sit down and discuss issues with Bhai Sarbjeet Singh.
Both groups were able to conclude the following points –
- Sarbjeet Singh Dhunda agreed that the nitnem banis from Sri Dasam Granth have been penned by Guru Gobind Singh Ji and there is no question about their authenticity
- There is no opposition to reciting Waheguru Simran, as long as it is done with concentration
- Dhunda agreed that it is wrong to change the first pauri of Ardas “ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮ ਭਗੌਤੀ ਸਿਮਰ ਕੈ..”
- In reference to an older video in which Dhunda referred to Sri Dasam Granth as “Akhauti Granth”, he said we should not discuss past issues and move on
- Dhunda stated that he is not answerable to the views casted by Ragi Darshan Singh or Inder Singh Ghagga
Bhai Jasjeet Singh stated that it is important to resolve these issues as they were causing splits within the community. “We don’t necessarily have to find a solution at this very moment, it can take days, months or even years, however we must walk towards finding a solution to these problems and create a comfort zone where we can discuss these issues as required,” he said.
While the meeting was setup to discuss issues with Prof. Sarbjeet Singh Dhunda, Sukhdev Singh took most of the time. In the video, Dhunda can be seen patting Sukhdev Singh on his legs several times, asking him to calm down.
Due to shortage of time, not all issues could be discussed.
It’s clear a lot of the people commenting haven’t watched the full video. Here’s a summary with timestamps (for you to click) that prove Dhunda and Dhunda’s chamcha were clearly outdone as they don’t have anything more than a textbook understanding of Gurbani.
1) The guy by Dhundi-Laal REALLY shouldn’t be there. He wasn’t there to conduct in a mature debate and actually ruined the whole dialogue. His hostility was felt 3,000 miles away. Note: it’s almost funny to see how the moderator’s patience with this guy is finished by the end of the video.
2) Dhunda didn’t clearly answer the question of the Panj Bania, instead he just said: “you know my stand” and said “attack those that say Nitnem includes other Bani (i.e. Sukhmani Sahib).” note: Bani is Bani (and ADDING Bani to nitnem is completely different to removing Bani). See 27:35
3) Dhunda talks about wanting unity in the panth (see the first few minutes), but then he laughs at those who wear “Keskis” 28:30
4) When the moderator talks about Dhunda’s personal thoughts on “Mukhvaak Patshahi 10” the video is CLEARLY chopped at 29:50 — This is not acceptable and unfair to the sangat. Post the video in its entirety. It’s a complete disservice to those watching.
5) Dhunda acknowledges that the video of him hitting Sri Jaab Sahib with a stick is authentic, see: 32:44 (he’s previously said it was fake — so, again – it shows that he continues to lie)
6) 34:20 — the talk about how Sri Dasam Granth is never equally put next to Guru Granth Sahib Ji (it’s either on the side — basically, as an accompanying Granth)
7) 42:50 — Dhunda’s answer to his previous assertion that Simran is worthless and not the basis of Sikhi
8) 44:21 – Dhunda makes fun of jaaping ‘Waheguru, Waheguru’ loudly (actions included free) – basically saying its disrespectful to Guru Sahib as it ‘disturbs the peace’
9) 59:40 – the ending concludes by the loud-mouth guy getting mad at the moderator and saying ‘you promised us that if we showed up there would be no discussion about the Dasam Granth.” (listen for yourself)
[…] Sikh24 Both groups were able to conclude the following points – There is no opposition to reciting […]
Dhunda didn’t even answer 1 question! Why won’t he say Guru Gobind Singh Ji wrote Jaap Sahib? He is trying to divide us.
Dhunda Sahib I used to be a fan of yours but now I see you only want to make money by dividing Sikhs. Shame on you Dhunda Sahib shame on you
Professor Dhunda Clearly handled the questions with utmost brilliance! and there is no denying the fact. The questioners as usual were out of context most of the time and had no real hold on topics and were mostly blabbing. The Write up above is so jaded and if you look at the video with clear mind, it is imperative that Dhunda really knows what he is talking about. The Argument will stay and its just a difference of opinion and not a personal attack. The very idea of stopping him to read Guru Granth Sahib di Baani infront of the Prakash of SGGS was truly unacceptable to Sikh Panth. The level of Katha Dr. Dhunda does is beyond any of these so called panth de Rakshakk who had print outs and what not to prove their own agenda. You could clearly see that Dr. Dhunda kept quite for the first 10 mins of the video clearly shows his wisdom.
bhul Chukk Maaf, but Dhunda has some brilliant interpretation of our guru to learn from and i feel pity for the people who are missing out on learning from him.
Guru Fateh!
You say he is a professor, what are his scholarly qualifications and where were they obtained?