Damdami Taksal and Akhand Kirtani Jatha Give Message of Unity

DERBY, UK—On Saturday 5^th January 2013, Singh Sahib Giani Ram Singh of Damdami Taksal (Sangravan) visited Singh Sabha Gurdwara Derby to meet the Executive Committee of Akhand Kirtani Jatha UK. The visit and meeting was a gesture of good will and gave a strong message of Panthik unity and working together whilst agreeing to disagree on the minor differences in Maryada and issues that the Panth has not made a decision on.

In a two hour long meeting, memories of the past were rekindled with Singh Sahib Giani Ram Singh sharing stories of how the past great leaders of both Jathebandis showed great love, affection and respect for one another. Singh Sahib Ji discussed how Akhand Kirtani Jatha Singhs would do Kirtan every year at the Barsi of Sant Kartar Singh Bhindranwale and how Taksal Singhs would attend and help the Akhand Kirtani Jatha with the Smagam at Narangwal, Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Ji’s birth place. Giani Ram Singh showed concern at how some parchariks were stirring controversy and hatred in the Sikh Sangat through making ridiculous and manmat claims regarding Mool Mantar, Raagmala, etc. and stressed that any genuine student of Damdami Taksal who respects Sant Gurbachan Singh Ji and Sant Kartar Singh Ji would never make such comments and cause rifts in the Panth. It was discussed how anti-Sikh forces have infiltrated Sikh organisations and don’t wish unity amongst Sikhs, in particular the two main Jathebandis of the Panth – Damdami Taksal and Akhand Kirtani Jatha.

Leadership of both groups agreed to work together on the common Panthik platform of being united with Sri Akal Takht Sahib and respecting the Panthik Sikh Rehit Maryada authorized by Sri Akal Takht Sahib. A joint statement was issued by both groups on Saturday night following the meeting.

Read Press Statement in  Gurmukhi / English

The following day, on Sunday 6^th January, Singh Sabha Giani Ram Singh visited Singh Sabha Gurdwara Derby again to do Katha in the morning Diwan. Singh Sahib also sat with Singhs of Akhand Kirtani Jatha to do Kirtan.

In the afternoon, Singh Sahib Giani Ram Singh of Damdami Taksaal and Jathedar Bhai Raghbir Singh of Akhand Kirtani Jatha shared a stage with other Gursikhs and gave a message of Panthik unity and rising above small differences on issues like Raagmala, Mool Mantar, the length of Rehras Sahib, etc. and instead focus on unity and come together on the common ground of respecting what Sri Akal Takht Sahib instructs us. The programme was telecasted live on Sangat TV (Sky channel 847) and was watched across Europe and the world. Various leaders of Sikh organizations and representatives of different Gurdwaras attended the event and gave well wishes, extended the message of unity and hope that the youth and the rest of the Sangat can take inspiration from both leaders of the Jathebandis showing love and respect for one another.

Some of the photos of well wishers:

The weekend showed that if the elders of both Jathebandis can unite and show common love and respect and put aside differences in maryada, then the youth and wider Sangat can also do so. Recently the Internet, in particular Facebook and other social websites, have become a ground for individuals to stir hatred and controversy against Jathebandis and slander older Gursikhs in attempts to poison the minds of naïve youth to hate one another and weaken the Sikh Panth. However, this step of unity has shown that such propaganda trying to divide Damdami Taksal and Akhand Kirtani Jatha and rake up issues like Mool Mantar, Raagmala, Dasam Granth Sahib and others is not accepted by the elders of both Jathebandis. All should be cautious and aware of troublemakers that directly or indirectly try to create rifts or don’t wish to see Panthik unity.