Internal politics threaten progress at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara

November 12, 2012

:dateline: Surrey, British Columbia is the city in North America with the largest Sikh population. �Over one third of Surrey is Sikh and Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara is the central Gurdwara in the city. �Elections for the Gurdwara are to be held on December 16 and the nominations for slates are due on November 16.

In 2009, a Sikh youth slate unseated a so-called “Moderate Sikh” committee. �The 2009 election was a watershed moment for the Sikh community in British Columbia. �The moderate committee oversaw unprecedented decay and anti-Sikh activity at the Gurdwara. �The Sikh youth committee led by Bhai Bikramjit Singh has overseen three years of dynamic growth for the Gurdwara with unprecedented accomplishments. �The weekly Sunday night youth darbar, regular youth camps along with constant engagement with the youth are only part of the impressive legacy left by the outgoing committee.

However, internal politics and a desire for power are threatening the progress at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara and may open the door for the “Moderate Sikh” group to return to power. �Over the past two months, discussions have been had over the composition of the next committee. �In order to set an example about not holding onto power, the current committee members have pledged to not seek re-election. �A new committee is being chosen but personality clashes and egos threaten the unity of the Sikh youth movement. �Certain nefarious figures in the community are plotting a division in the Sikh youth camp, or rather, the appearance of division, which may seal the return of the “Moderate Sikhs” to power. �It is very possible that shortsightedness and a lack of leadership may lead to multiple committees running under the “Sikh Youth” banner, thus confusing the community and leading to a tragic setback for the Gurdwara.

Sangat members are urging the involved parties to put aside their egos and personal differences and form a united slate that is focused on carrying on the impressive accomplishments of the current committee.

5 COMMENTS

JSB November 17, 2012 At 5:14 am

three slates nominated today for the coming dec 16,2012 elections.two moderate slates and one panthic slate.current treasurer of the guru nanak sikh gurdwara s. rajinder singh dhaliwal has been nominated to lead the panthic slate.there are few other members from the current executive who are part of the new panthic slate.nomination withdrawal date is nov.21,2012.

JSingh November 12, 2012 At 9:24 pm

HS jee, the census always underreports Sikhs. There are over 100,000 Sikhs in Surrey although it may be reported otherwise in the census.

HS November 12, 2012 At 3:02 pm

This is sad.. hopefully the troublemakers go away.

In regards to the article. It should be factually correct, according to Wikipedia in 2001 census, 16.5% of the surrey population identified themselves as Sikh. Its probably close to 20% now.

gsingh November 12, 2012 At 12:09 pm

The 5 Singhs in charge of selecting the Committee have decided that none of the old committee may run. So for them to seek reelection is out of the question, unless this decision is overturned, and honestly I can’t say that is unlikely, because anything is possible with Gurdwara Politics.

Hopefully the Sikh Youth slate can stay united and the power hungry can be pushed aside. We don’t need another Ross Street Campaign where two slates under the Sikh Youth tittle ran against each other, allowing the Moderates to win.

JS November 12, 2012 At 9:26 am

“In order to set an example about not holding onto power, the current committee members have pledged to not seek re-election.”

It is better that Power remains with the Good People, even though some might perceive this as ‘holding on to power’. Power going into the wrong hands is many folds worse than Good people remaining in power.

It is my humble request to the current committee to please stand for the current elections and come back to power.