Psuedo-Nihang Niddar “Singh” Receives Flak for Spreading sanatan teachings in UK

LONDON, UK—In a letter, the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras in Birmingham (CSGB) which represents all the Gurdwaras in Birmingham, the psuedo-Nihang Niddar “Singh” has been banned from teaching at all Gurdwaras in Birmingham.  The letter is addressed to the Central Gurdwara (Khalsa Jatha) Shepherds Bush in London which is being currently used by Niddar to spread his ‘snatam’ ideology.

Our Ref: DPB/NSSBG
Date: 31/07/2013

Dear honourable and respected President and Management Committee
Central Gurdwara (Khalsa Jatha) Shepherds Bush, London

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh
We write to you with deepest respect and humility for the historic platform that
Guru Ji has blessed you to serve.

We have been contacted by various members of the Sikh community who have
visited Central Gurdwara with veneration, but have asked us to formally share
concerns with you, of which you may not already be aware, in relation to the
teaching of Shastar Vidya at Sheperds Bush Gurdwara Sahib, which we
understand is administered under the tutelage of a Gatka Akhara headed by
Nidar Singh.

For some years now there have been substantial anxieties about the nature of
practices passed on by, the ideology espoused and preaching done by Nidar
Singh and/or his associates. Many people, some of whom have been former
students and close associates and social friends with him and those close to
him, have raised concerns that they have found the teaching of Shastar Vidiya
to be misleading to vulnerable and impressionable young people who may
come to learn this Sikh martial art. For example many young people have laid
witness to the propagation of the use of Alcohol and Marijuana and even the
practice of removing bodily hair for amritdharis. There are incidents shared
where Sikhi aspirants who never drank or consumed drugs, are now socially
active in these practices; more concerning, however, is that the social practice
is often taking place within the same social group that the Shastar Vidiya akhara
students form, rather than a circle that some students may frequent
inadvertently.

There is direct evidence of Nidar Singh and his associates actively propagating
contra Khalsa Panth ideology by actively promoting a “Snatan Hindu-Sikh
ideology” and stating that Sikhs are part of Hindu religion, not unique and
separate (i.e. not a vakhri kaum or nation from Hindu ideology) which
undermines the foundation of the establishment of the Khalsa Panth. Please
see attached quotations from his websites (www.shastarvidiya.org /
www.sarbloh.info) on which Sikh history is distorted by attributing misquotes to
historic figures, and misrepresenting key historic events, in order to substantiate
this Snatan ideology.

In this respect all Sikh Gurdwaras in Birmingham and the surrounding areas,
since becoming aware of the nature of Nidar’s beliefs, his teachings and
practices have banned Nidar Singh from teaching at the Gurdwara Sahibs
including Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara, Wolverhampton

These moves were initiated by Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Handsworth Wood,
Birmingham cancelling classes taught by Nidar in early 2012, which culminated
after a large meeting of over 150 people of broad backgrounds and jathas. After
which the Committee of the Gurdwara Sahib took a decision to deny a platform
to the anti-Sikhi ideology that is presented through Nidar Singh and his network,
and the danger they pose to our youth to take them away from Guru Granth
Sahib ji’s philosophy.

We hope that you will take this correspondence in the spirit intended, and we
trust that along with other Gurdwara Sahibs, The Council of Sikh Gurdwaras in
Birmingham, Sikh Societies and jathe bandies (as per attached documents),
that the committee of Shepherds Bush Gurdwara Sahib distance themselves
from Nidar Singh and ensure the protection and safeguarding of the sangat who
come to spiritually and physically excel in Guru Ji’s sanctuary.

Please support these steadfast efforts to deny any group or individual a platform
at any Gurdwara Sahib, to spread ideology that in itself contradicts Sikh
teachings and practice, and takes Sikhs away from Guru Ji.

We are available to provide any further evidence or support you may require.

Dr P.S.Bhogal
signed
Chairman – Council of Sikh Gurdwaras in Birmingham (CSGB)

Original letters, which are being sourced from www.shastervidiya.org are available here –