Op/Ed: Fremont Gurdwara Election Updates – Keen Interest by Akali Dal (B) and Kabaddi Clubs

FREMONT, California—As Gurdwara elections are just around the corner on Sunday, we have witnessed a growing interest in who will manage the well known and highly politicized Gurdwara for the next few years.  In this editorial, Sikh24 wishes to shed some light on the Bay Area Sikh Alliance Organization (BASAO), its supporters and their questionable practices.  We have witnessed that staunch supporters of BASAO are not a part of the regular sangat at Fremont Gurdwara and have received numerous reports that BASAO leadership also rarely attends the Gurdwara.

What has turned into an interesting, never seen before trend, a number of Kabaddi and sports clubs have declared full support for BASAO.  Why kabaddi clubs have developed an interest in this year’s election is beyond reason.  For the past two weeks, Kabaddi clubs in California have called on their supporters to come to Gurdwara Sahib on March 9 to vote for BASAO.

Over time, a serious concern has also emerged that the Bay Area Sikh Alliance Organization is being supported by the Government of India and by individual members of the Shiromani Akali Dal (B).  Sikh24 had previously exposed a meeting between Gurcharan Mann (BASAO and Radio CK) and the Indian Consul General in San Francisco.  Sikh Panchayat had asked BASAO to answer why it has continued relations with Indian Officials while at the same time raising funds for Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana and other families of Shaheeds.

Gurcharan Mann, who is a BASAO candidate, has also come in the limelight for issuing checks from Gurdwara Sahib Fremont to Radio CK when he was a part of the Gurdwara’s management previously.  Using Fremont Gurdwara’s check book, Mann issued checks close to $15,000 as advertising expenses.  Some of these checks were in his own name while others were issued to Sports Clubs and Radio CK.  We feel this is a clear conflict of interest that is worrisome if he were to come in control of Gurdwara finances.

In addition, we have also published a news article expressing concern over blatant lies and fraudulent documents being fabricated by BASAO to seek support in the upcoming elections.  We have also witnessed personal attacks leveled on Sikh Panchayat members by BASAO and its supporters.  As seen in the screenshots below, administrators of BASAO can be seen using harsh language to respond to allegations against them.

BASAO has also claimed that it is a non-profit registered organization, however as per Bizapedia, Bay Area Sikh Alliance is a for profit corporation.  Are they here to generate a profit from the Gurdwara?  We were also unable to find BASAO on the IRS’s exempt organizations list.

In addition to Gurcharan Mann, Avtar S. Dhami’s connections with anti-Sikh elements is also questionable.  Dhami is known to be a supporter of ex-communicated Gurbaksh Kala Afghana and Hardev Shergill (Sikh Bulletin).  Kala Afghana was excommunicated by Sri Akal Takht Sahib for writing blasphemous books against Sikh practices and history.  Kala Afghana and Shergill have continued to question core Sikh practices.

We feel that Gurdwara committees should be transparent and reachable—and most importantly Panthik—hence malicious organizations such as BASAO should be boycotted not only in Fremont Gurdwara Sahib, but throughout California.