SURREY, BC, Canada—Surrey police had to intervene and disperse a group of people from outside of Khalsa School, Newton campus last night again. Sikh24 has learned that at least 10 cars arrived outside of the school with alleged intention to break in and “recover” the saroops. Khalsa School security informed the police, which arrived swiftly. There was no interaction between the youth and the police, as all of them reportedly left as soon as police cars arrived.
Sikh24 also contacted Giani Gurbachan Singh, the appointed Jathedar for comment. He is currently out of country to attend some functions in the United States, however the office of Akal Takht Sahib requested Sikh Sangat of British Columbia to remain calm.
Giani Bhupinder Singh told us that the Jathedar will only be able to comment on the issue when he returns on October 10th. Meanwhile, a delegation of SGPC is set to attend programs organized in Surrey, BC, where they will address concerns of Sikh Sangat.
The situation in Surrey has now calmed down from the last few days, however much needs to be done by community leaders to ensure lasting peace.
In a statement that was shared with Sikh24, an individual on Facebook stated, “What’s been most disappointing in this whole thing has been the language and rhetoric being used by some of the youth. We’ve heard crazy claims that are nothing more than personal attacks – here’s a family that has spent more than its dasvandh in both time and money to create long lasting institutions for Sikhs. That family is being attacked personally and not being given the benefit of the doubt in terms of intent – this is no way to air grievances with fellow Sikhs. This is what is wrong with our community – we rarely let cooler heads prevail. Hopefully we will learn.”
A letter has now emerged which is signed by Bhai Ripudaman Singh Malik on September 24, which was shared with Sikh leaders and Gurdwara representatives. Text of the letter is being shared below. It has also become evident that many Gurdwaras were made aware of the plan, however many remained quiet until after saroops arrived.
At the end of this month, 414 Saroops will be arriving from Amritsar into BC. The Saroops will be coming in a special bus and will follow utmost Maryada and respect for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The bus left Bombay, made a stopover in Yokohama, Japan and is currently en route to BC. The bus is due to arrive in BC on September 27th in Annacis Island in New Westminster. The bus is specially made to carry Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the bus is on board a ship that carries vehicles only. The bus is carrying 284 medium sized padh chedh saroops. 138 will be going to Surrey, BC, 46 will be going to Houston, Texas and 100 will be going to Los Angeles, California. The bus is carrying 30 large sized padh chedh saroops. 25 will be going to Surrey, BC and 5 will be going to Los Angeles, California. The bus is also carrying 100 large sized lareevaar saroops. 75 will be going to Surrey, BC and 25 will be going to Los Angeles, California.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) representatives are coming to attend this event and to visit Khalsa School. This delegation will be comprised of:
Roop Singh, Secretary SGPC – Arriving October 6 from Los Angeles at 12:46pm and departing October 12 to Toronto at 7am.
Dalmegh Singh, Secretary SGPC – Arriving October 4 from London at 4:30pm and departing October 12 to Toronto at 11:30am.
Balwinder Singh Joura, Additionary Secretary SGPC – Arriving October 4 from London at 4:30pm and departing October 12 to Toronto at 11:30am.Manjit Singh GK, President of Delhi Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee will also be attending the function and will be in town from October 4 to October 7. He will be arriving in the afternoon on October 4 and departing in the evening on October 7.
There is an open invitation to sangat to attend the program. Kulwinder Singh will speak at different Gurdwarai to announce the program to sangat. The program will be at [Khalsa School, Newton] because there is large Sach Khand room there. It would be best if the school does a Gurpurab-style Program on October 7 at 10am at Khalsa School Newton Campus to commemorate the arrival of the Saroops to Canada. High School students should also be involved in the program.
Originally we wanted to do the event on the weekend, but ports are closed on the weekend and so it cannot happen on the weekend so OCTOBER 7 was chosen as it is a Tuesday and fits into the schedule of our guests from outside. There should be a procession from the port to the school with motorcycles and other vehicles to give a level of importance to this event. A.S. Dhillon to be contacted regarding motorcyicles. Permission may be needed from the Cities of Surrey and Delta.
When the bus arrives, enough sangat will be needed to carry Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji with chavar and chathar like what was done at the Aghan Bhet program at Khalsa Centre last June. We can use those chavar and chathars. We will have two large stations to change the rumaalay in the gym and there will be some Kirtan going on in the gym along with the children doing Kirtan in the Gurdwara.
The bus with 176 Saroops for LA and Houston will leave to LA probably on the next morning. For bus leaving to LA, there needs to be a 7-seater accompanying the bus as the bus will be going straight back to Mumbai from Los Angeles.
Sukhasan arrangements are as following: 1) KSN 110 Permanent Sach Khand, KSN 14 in big bed, KPS 9, OYR 13, KSS 13, RS Residence 9, HS 5, NS 9, GS 9, JS 5, GS 9, BS 6, DK 9, SS 9, JS 9, GS B 10. We have space for 248 Saroops and we will have 238 Saroops staying in Vancouver so we have some flexibility in case someone cancels.
We need at least 5 cars (and 25 people) on October 7 to take Saroops to houses.
Sangat is invited for their input on September 28th at 2pm at Khalsa School Newton (6933 – 124th Street).
Thank you.
R S Malik
Editor’s Note: The above letter has been edited to not disclose names of persons hosting the saroops.
Why can’t Sikhs be united and discuss … and avoid such shameful publicity. Please may Waheguru bless Sikhs … we need to be united, for every disagreements, there’s always peaceful resolutions, rather than making clowns of ourselves.
Waheguru mehar kare.