OP/ED: Sarbat Khalsa is Panthik Will

Sarbat Khalsa 2015. Coutesy: The Anad Foundation

By most accounts, Sarbat Khalsa numbered close to half a million Sikhs. Representatives from most jathebandis and global regions arrived to attend. These are facts we cannot ignore.

 

Many of the decisions, such as an independent Darbar Sahib Complex similar to Vatican City and a global Sikh parliament are crucial to going forward as a panth and are needed regardless of if we have a Khalistan or SGPC leadership and Jathedars of our choosing. Many Sikhs forget that even during the Sikh Raj, Sikhs required an independent Akal Takht that even Raja Ranjit Singh had to answer to.

But it seems that some sections of our Panth have already begun the backbiting, criticisms, and internal bickering that are the hallmark of our Kaum for the last few decades. Instead of one path, we have 30 million different ones, as we all each follow our own minds. This is exactly what Badal and his puppet jathedars want. Whenever one Sikh does something well, we all join together to tear them down. Is this how gursikhi works? Is this the famous spirit of Chardi Kala?

Fact: Newly appointed Jathedars are Interim

Regardless of who the interim Jathedars are, we as Sikhs—as a single Khalsa Panth—have an opportunity for real change. If we work hard globally to create a democratic and representative system by Vaisakhi, we can change the Jathedars if we are not happy with them. But until then, let’s give them a chance. Today, they have shown they are willing to be jailed and tortured for the Panth. How many of the Facebook warriors criticizing them are willing to do the same?

This can also be an opportunity to bring our Panthik Jathebandis back into the mainstream, to free Jathedar Hawara, just as Jathedar Ranjit Singh was freed after he became the Panthik Jathedar.

Let’s be one Panth and speak with one voice. If and when our new Jathedars don’t act according to gurmat and the Panth’s will, then we should speak out. But let’s all work hard to make the rest of the resolutions happen. As one of the directives said, let’s put aside our differences until Akal Takht Sahib is independent and Sikhs as a religious body can make decisions without government interference.

Guru Sahib gave his blessing to the Sarbat Khalsa with the hukamnamas from the day:

Hukamnama from Initiation of Sarbat Khalsa

Hukamnama from Samaptee of Sarbat Khalsa

Hukamnama from Darbar Sahib Following Sarbat Khalsa

It is also important to understand that all Takhts are independent of each other, however Akal Takht Sahib (and its Jathedar) does enjoy supremacy.  Are we not convinced with Jathedar Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara’s seva in the past 30+ years that he is the most suitable person for this post?  If Bhai Hawara feels, he can at anytime suspend the acting Jathedar – Bhai Dhian Singh Mand.  Bhai Hawara is not just a warrior who stopped a genocide, he is an educated intellect.  His deep profound thoughts and resolve on Panthik unity in Guru’s wisdom is clearly evident from his letters.

Sangat Ji, whatever our reservations may be, this is the time we all need to stand united.  Sarbat Khalsa 2015 may not have been perfect, but it’s the best system we have so far.  It took Guru Sahibs 10 human lives to lay the foundation of Sikhi.  We are expecting 100% favorable results overnight just after having a Sarbat Khalsa after 25 years.

4 COMMENTS

  1. It is certainly not a Panthic will.
    It is a will of only 5 % of vocal Sikh people .
    The will of Sikh people is with the SGPC and SAD .
    It is impossible to have a will of Sikh people given there Global Spread.

  2. Vahiguroo kirpa SABH SAT SABH TAP SABH CHANGIAIAH SARBHAT KHALSA NU, JATHEDAR BHAI HAWARA SINGH JIO NU, SIKH PANTH NU ATEY SAB NU CHARDHI KALA VICH EKTA GURMAT PYAR HOVEY…BAPU SURAT SINGH ARDAS PUREE HOVEY KIRPA GURU GRANTH SAHIB JIO_/\_

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