Lord Singh Refuses to Accomodate UK Sikh Prisoner on Basis of Sikh Rehat Maryada

File Photo: Lord Singh at his home in Wimbledon, southwest London

LEICESTER, UK—Lord Indarjit Singh of Wimbledon, the Director of the Network of Sikh Organisations (NSO), has expressed views which have offended Sikh sentiments.

A conversation regarding Sikh dietary practices and regulations had arisen as a result of the dietary requirements of an Amritdhari prisoner. Gurpreet Singh Palak, 25, had recently received a lengthy sentence on the grounds of conspiring to commit violent disorder in relation to the Moghal Durbar restaurant raid – a vigilante raid which took place in response to a perceived lack of police action regarding a Leicester grooming ring.  

Gurpreet Singh had sought accommodation for his dietary requirements. As an Amritdhari Sikh, Gurpreet Singh observes a strict diet as a result of both his interpretation of the Sikh faith and the instruction given to him by the Panj Pyare during his Amrit Sanchar. As such, his following of a lacto-vegetarian diet and only eating food which has been cooked by spiritually disciplined Amritdhari Sikhs and prepared in sarbloh (iron), are aspects of his spiritual life which cannot be compromised or questioned – a discipline which is in accordance with the Sikh Rehat Maryada.

Lord Singh was called upon by a friend of the prisoner, Mandeep Singh, to intervene in the matter and contribute to finding a solution that will offer Gurpreet Singh a more balanced diet during his sentence. Mandeep Singh had hoped that the Sikh Chaplaincy service would jump at the opportunity to help the Gursikh maintain a Gursikhi lifestyle whilst serving his sentence. 

However, Lord Singh bluntly rejected the suggestion that the NSO should intervene to accommodate the requirements of the prisoner. Gurpreet Singh’s beliefs, according to Lord Singh, are not in line with the Sikh Rehat Maryada, and attempts to accommodate them would therefore give a distorted view of Sikhi to the prison authorities.  

Lord Singh’s initial claim that the dietary beliefs are not in line with the Sikh Rehat Maryada was contested by Mandeep Singh, who provided evidence in order to demonstrate that such dietary beliefs are very much in line with both the Sikh Rehat Maryada and traditional Sikh practices.

Lord Singh has as of yet avoided discussion on the specific topic of the dietary laws and their inclusion within the Sikh Rehat Maryada, in spite of persistent attempts to engage him.  

Lord Singh had also written to Chaplaincy HQ after they requested advice regarding the situation following an e-mail sent to them by the Sikh Council. In his response, Lord Singh rejected that Sikh scriptures support such dietary beliefs and branded them “superstitious” and “totally contrary to the whole thrust of Guru Nanak’s teachings.” He continued that the dietary practice of Gurpreet Singh has nothing to do with Sikh teachings, and that adherence to such practices is directly contradictory to the letter and spirit of Sikhi.

What began as a request from a friend of Gurpreet Singh had led to a rash exertion of judgement, and Lord Singh has been accused not only of exerting judgement rather than supporting the needs of the Sikh prisoner during a difficult time, but also of using his position to exert judgement in matters relating to Sikhi. The case has prompted many questions, relating to the perceived authority of Lord Singh to speak on behalf of Sikhs; the processes and procedures which govern the Sikh Chaplaincy Service and whether basic Sikh principles are being adhered to; and the transparency of the organisation.

 

References:

Page 30 (Sikh Rehit Maryada, Punjabi original version)

ਸਿਰਗੁੰਮ , ਨੜੀ ਮਾਰ (ਜੋ ਸਿੱਖ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਇਹ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਨ) ਦਾ ਸੰਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਨਾ |

English translation: “You must not associate with [those that whilst being a Sikh have become] Sirgum (cut-haired person) and Narhee-maar (smokers).”

Page 31 (Sikh Rehit Maryada, Punjabi original version):

ਠ)      ਤਨਖਾਹੀਏ ਇਹ ਹਨ:-

  1. ਮੀਣੇ, ਮਸੰਦ, ਧੀਰਮੱਲੀਏ, ਰਾਮਰਾਈਏ, ਆਦਿਕ ਪੰਥ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ  ਜਾਂ ਨੜੀ ਮਾਰ, ਕੁੜੀ ਮਾਰ, ਸਿਰਗੁੰਮ ਨਾਲ  ਵਰਤਣ  ਵਾਲਾ ਤਨਖਾਹੀਆ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ |
  2. ਬੇ-ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੀਏ ਜਾਂ ਪਤਿਤ ਦਾ ਜੂਠਾ ਖਾਣ ਵਾਲਾ |
  3. ਦਾਹੜਾ ਰੰਗਣ ਵਾਲਾ |
  4. ਪੁੱਤਰ ਜਾਂ ਧੀ ਦਾ ਸਾਕ ਮੁੱਲ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਜਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ |
  5. ਕੋਈ ਨਸ਼ਾ (ਭੰਗ, ਅਫੀਮ, ਸ਼ਰਾਬ, ਪੋਸਤ, ਕੁਕੀਨ ਆਦਿ) ਵਰਤਣ ਵਾਲਾ |
  6. ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਤੋਂ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਕੋਈ ਸੰਸਕਾਰ ਕਰਨ ਕਰਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ |
  7. ਰਹਿਤ ਵਿਚ ਕੋਈ ਭੁੱਲ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ |

 

  1. The following are Thankhahie (individuals liable to be reprimanded involving automatic social boycott):
  2. Anyone maintaining relations or communion with Meene, Masand, followers of Dheermal or Raam-Raae, or any other anti-Panthik individuals or groups, Narhee-maar (users of tobacco), kurhee-maar (those who kill or abort their daughters), and Sirgum (those who cut their hair). [You can associate with any of these if they take Amrit and join the Panth.]
  3. One who eats/drinks leftovers of the non-Amritdharis or Patit (fallen Sikh)
  4. One who dyes their beard [or Kes]
  5. One who marries their son or daughter in exchange for financial gain
  6. Users of intoxicants (hemp, opium, liquor, narcotics, bhang (marijuana), etc.)
  7. One holds any ceremonies against Gurmat.
  8. One who [knowingly] makes any mistake in Rehat.

 

Sikh Rehit Maryada, the footnote on page 31 (original Punjabi version) states:

ਵਰਤਣ ਤੋਂ ਭਾਵ ਰੋਟੀ-ਬੇਟੀ ਦੀ ਸਾਂਝ ਹੈ, ਜਿਸ ਦਾ ਸਪਸ਼ਟ ਅਰਥ ਰਿਸ਼ਤਾ-ਨਾਤਾ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਬਰਾਦਰੀ ਦਾ ਸੰਬੰਧ ਪੈਦਾ ਕਰਨਾ ਹੈ| ਗੁਰੁ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦਾ ਭਾਵ ਪੰਥ ਨੂੰ ਇਕ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਰਖਣ ਦਾ ਸੀ ਤਾਂਕਿ ਵਖਰੇ ਗੁਰਿਆਈ ਦੇ ਸੈਂਟਰ ਜਾਂ ਮਿਲ-ਗੋਭਾ ਸਿਖੀ ਦੇ ਅਡੇ ਨਾ ਬਣਨ|

Translation: “This means Roti-Beti dee saanjh (sharing relations via eating food and marriage), which in a clearer sense means social boycott. The reason for Guru Ji for this Rehat was to keep the Panth united and one so that different centres of Guruship and watered-down versions of Sikhi do not form.”

 

Our Guru is Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the Guru Panth, which is represented in the Panj Pyaare. Assuming you have taken Amrit, you should very well know that the Panj Pyaare at any Amrit Sanchaar give the following instruction after receiving Amrit:

“ਖਾਲਸਾ ਦੇ ਰੋਟੀ ਬੇਟੀ ਸਾਂਝ ਖਾਲਸੇ ਨਾਲ ਹੈ |” “Khalsa keeps the relation of food/dining and marriage within the Khalsa.”

The above Rehat is orally given at Akal Takht Sahib and other places by the Panj Pyaare who follow and abide by the Sikh Rehat Maryada of the Panth. This should be common knowledge.

 Furthermore Gurbani instructs us the following regarding company and dietary Bibek:

  • ਸੰਤਨ ਕਾ ਦਾਨਾ ਰੂਖਾ ਸੋ ਸਰਬ ਨਿਧਾਨ|| ਗ੍ਰਿਹਿ ਸਾਕਤ ਛਤੀਹ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਰ ਤੇ ਬਿਖੂ ਸਮਾਨ||੨||

“The dry bread of the Saints is equal to all treasures. The thirty-six tasty dishes of the faithless one are just like poison.” (Bilaval M:5, p. 811)

  • ਬਾਬਾ ਹੋਰੁ ਖਾਣਾ ਖੁਸੀ ਖੁਆਰੁ॥ ਜਿਤੁ ਖਾਧੈ ਤਨੁ ਪੀੜੀਐ, ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਚਲਹਿ ਵਿਕਾਰ॥

“O Baba! The pleasures of other foods are false, eating which is unhealthy for the body and the vice and corruption enters the mind.” (Siree Raag M:1, p. 16)

  • ਕਬੀਰ ਸਾਕਤ ਸੰਗੁ ਨ ਕੀਜੀਐ ਦੂਰਹਿ ਜਾਈਐ ਭਾਗਿ|| ਬਾਸਨੁ ਕਾਰੋ ਪਰਸੀਐ ਤਉ ਕਛੁ ਲਾਗੈ ਦਾਗੁ||੧੩੧||

“O Kabeer! Do not associate with the faithless cynics; run far away from them. If you touch a vessel stained with soot, some of the soot will stick to you.” (Salok Bhagat Kabeer Ji, p. 1371)

  • ਸੰਤਨ ਸਿਉ ਮੇਰੀ ਲੇਵਾ ਦੇਵੀ ਸੰਤਨ ਸਿਉ ਬਿਉਹਾਰਾ||

“My dealings are with the Saints (i.e. Gursikhs), and my business is with the Saints (i.e. Gursikhs).” (Sorath M:5, p. 614)

  • ਊਤਮ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਊਤਮੁ ਹੋਵੈ|| ਗੁਣ ਕਉ ਧਾਵੈ ਅਵਗਣ ਧੋਵੈ||

“In the uplifting society, one is uplifted. He chases after virtue and washes off his sins.” (Aasa M:1, p. 414)

  • ਨਾਨਕ ਕਚੜਿਆ ਸਿਉ ਤੋੜਿ ਢੂਢਿ ਸਜਣ ਸੰਤ ਪਕਿਆ||

“O Nanak!  Break away from the false, and seek out the Saints, your true friends.” (Maaroo M:5, p. 1102)

  • ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਬਾਝਹੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਨਹੀ ਕੋਈ ਨਿਗੁਰੇ ਕਾ ਹੈ ਨਾਉ ਬੁਰਾ||੧੩||

“Without the True Guru, there is no Guru at all; one who is without a Guru has a bad reputation.” (Aasa M:3, p. 435)

  • ਗੁਰ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਕੀਨੀ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਮਨਮੁਖੀ ਦੁਹੇਲਾ | 

“The Khalsa associates with the Guru’s Sangat (company), whilst the Manmukhs (those who do not obey the Guru) remain in duality.” (Bhai Gurdas Singh)

9 COMMENTS

  1. Dear Sikh24 Editor, I was wondering if you’ve received my comments as I received not acknowledgement do you send any notifications to commenter if their views helped?
    Thank you
    Arvinder Singh

    Your comment is awaiting moderation.
    There’s no such thing in Sikh Rehit Maryada, I understand that this practice is still in use after Khalsa panth has made ONE Maryada for all Sikhs. I experienced in our Gurdwara (observed) some Singhs came and took pershad and threw it away after learning it was not made by their sort of way. I was quiet hurt by their behaviour. These are practices like Brahmins follow, Such/Bhit. However, I think its dividing our Sikhi big way as there was need to unite Sikhs before they (Panthic Sihks including Bhai Randir Singh)wrote Maryada in 1920s when there were 38 types of other maryadas in practice. Are AKJ’s are in Sikh mainstream or they’re better (Bebeki Sikhs???) This whole thing is very sad. Lord Singh could be helpful but if tomorrow some other cult come up with some other demands it would be hard to practice such faith where Guru Nanak ji Sikhi will in question.Asa Ki War denounce such pakhand and kira kandh. look up for Chunka Bhit, Suche eh na ahkhea… soch kareh din raat…sukhmani. I wish Gurpreet singh the best, hope he gets on better in Sikhi. Sikh24 and Preetam Singh should also look in to Panjab Jails see if they have some arrangements for such cases.
    Arvinder Singh

    [email protected]

  2. Wonderful article on the subject of Sikh dietary principles and ethics. There are so many, so-called ‘intellectual’ and ‘learned’ Sikhs, with their top jobs, high and mighty positions, friendly relations with the British establishment figures (who are all liars, cheats, deceivers – as continuously exposed in weekly headlines stories – paedophile ring at Westminster, stalling on Iraq enquiry, Prime Ministers associations with Andy Coulson (the notorious convicted journalist) and much much more. The strength and beauty of Sikhi and those who dare to follow this distinct, revoluntionary, ethical path – “finer than a hair, and sharper than a sword”, lies in their commitment and PRACTISE of such a beautiful lifestyle. This jeevan has been rejected, persecuted, blocked, attacked throughout time, and is still being attacked now in this ongoing crooked modern world. We as individual Sikhs and collective Sikhs, will only get the strength and benevolent force from Guru Gobind Singh jee, when he demonstrate in heart, mind and practise, our positive, loving willingness to follow this unique path. 80% of ‘Sikhs’ want to mimick and follow the human world around. The very few, genuine, authentic ‘Sikhs’, barely 20%, are striving to be living souls of a real, beneveolent, ethical Sikhi. Let us persevere on, on this tough, arduous, but spiritually uplifting path. One day, if we are lucky and worthy, we will be gifted through our earnest struggle and effort with a KHAALSA RAAJ for the KHAALSA citizens of this earth. In this world, which is awash with a rampant, corrupt, selfish majority human population, the sincere, ethical minority will never succeed on the basis of numbers. We will always be a minority, in numerical terms – always! We need a KHAALSA SOVEREIGN TERRITORIAL STATE – strong, powerful, independent, ethical, where the KHAALSA jeevan can be lived, promoted, projected and profiled to the world at large.

  3. The above comment is inaccurate and a distortion of both the Sikh Reyat Maryada and of the real situation.
    The Sikh Chaplaincy Service with my support has helped in every way to support the prisoner’s needs, but we are not prepared to bend the Gurus’ teachings to justify the whims of every the whims of every sant or baba.

    For the record, I have never refused to discuss this issue openly and in fact wrote to the Sikh Council inviting their view There was no response. I will be more than happy to debate this issue on any Sikh TV Channel.
    Lord (Indatjit) Singh of Wimbledon

    • Mr. Lord Indarjit

      Sikh Rehat Maryada cannot be twisted to suit your personal beliefs (or lack of belief I could say). Since you are not a practising Sikh (someone who has taken Amrit from Panj Pyaare and follows the discipline laid out by Gurbani), I don’t think you have the authority to comment on such matters. However, this was some years back and you stabbed the Panth in the back when you were asked to help. I can say for sure that you’ll have to pay for this in the court of Vaheguru.

      “bend the Gurus’ teachings to justify the whims of every the whims of every sant or baba.” You have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA what you’re talking about. The attitude shown by you at that time is the reason of all the problems in the world – all the intolerance, all the facism, all the genocides that’ve happened in the world. Don’t be shocked to hear these defamatory comments, it is all a difference of magnitude of actions, your directions is indeed the same. In clear words, that attitude is, “I’m right, I’m right and I’m right, it does not matter how ignorant and narrow minded I’m, but I’m right.”

  4. your translation about narhe maar is wrong.Naree maar refers to those who practice female infanticide –it does not refer to smokers!

  5. Is it surprising?Inaderjit is an opportunitist, and makes allegatiosn that HE represents sikhs!!!Now the pandoras box has opened and the truth abt him is out!

  6. I am appalled to read this post. It is so sad to see that Sikhs like Lord Singh get into positions of authority in Sikhi and like the others they completely neglect their responsibilities to the panth. Where they should be supporting our Sikh brothers and sisters, they instead choose to let their lives become more difficult. This is a shocking example of abusing power and not fulfilling your duty. I wanted to speak a lot more stronger but I have had to restrain myself. I urge others to post their thoughts.

  7. Extremely disappointed reading this. I don’t believe Lord Singh is even a practising Amritdhari Sikh – what gives him the right to comment on Sikh Rehat let alone dismiss it??

Leave a Reply to jagdeesh singh Cancel reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here