Panthik Meeting in Chandigarh Organized by Punj Singhs for Sarbat Khalsa 2016

CHANDIGARH, Punjab—An important meeting was held today in Chandigarh’s sector 38B earlier today, October 18, 2016.  The meeting was called upon by suspended Akal Takht Sahib Punj Piare as per the directions of Jathedar Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara.  A number of prominent Jathebandis, including the Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Dal Khalsa, Singh Sabhas, Gurdwara Parmeshar Dwar, Panthik Talmel Sangathan, Akali Dal Delhi, United Sikhs, Missionary colleges and seva societies, along with noted personalities and intellectuals took part in the meeting.

Along with the meeting at Gurdwara Sahib (Shahpur) in Sector 38B, several attendees also attended via video conferencing which was facilitated by Bibi Majinderpal Kaur from United Sikhs.  The meeting was historical in itself as it gave visibility to various small and large Sikh organizations and brought a number of scholars on the same stage.  Bibi Majinderpal Kaur started the initial dialogue and gave representation to the Sikh women who are often misrepresented during Panthik activities.  It is important to mention here that Majinderpal Kaur has been active in Panthik circles for over one decade.  Her name came to the fore in 2003 when she launched an initiative to seek equal rights for Sikh women in seva of Sikh shrines.

Before the meeting started, Prof. Gurdarshan Singh spoke during the dialogue session and targeted S. Simranjit Singh Mann indirectly several times.  The dialogue session was not officially part of the meeting, however it was broadcasted live.  After him, during the meeting, several other noted personalities spoke about lack of consensus making process in 2015 Sarbat Khalsa.

Bhai RP Singh of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha highlighted the importance of establishing a process for Sarbat Khalsa.  He called upon the Punj Singhs to deliberate upon the vidhi vidhan more than anything.  He suggested that a consolidated document of vidhi vidhan should be drafted, based on the documents earlier created by S. Karamjeet Singh, S. Harsimran Singh, S. Harinder Singh and Bhai Narayan Singh Chaura.  Following his request, Bhai Satnam Singh Khanda invited both S. Karamjeet Singh and S. Harsimran Singh to present their research on the vidhi vidhan of Sarbat Khalsa.

During the meeting, several noted speakers shared their views on the institution of Sarbat Khalsa.  As they discussed the vidhi-vidhan of the Sarbat Khalsa, many speakers also expressed their dissatisfaction over the working of previous Sarbat Khalsa organizers.

After the meeting, the Punj Piare who had facilitated the gathering, issued a press note announcing formation of a new committee to finalize the vidhi-vidhan of Sarbat Khalsa.  The committee comprises of the following scholars: S. Karamjeet Singh (Chandigarh), S. Harsimran Singh (Anandpur Sahib), Harinder Singh (USA), Bhai Narayan Singh Chaura (Sikh political prisoners), S. Tarsem Singh (Dharam Prachar Committee, DSGMC), Advocate Jaswinder Singh, S. Sukhpreet Singh Udhoke, S. Gurpreet Singh (Central Singh Sabha), Mastar Harbans Singh, Prof. Baljinder Singh (Amritsar) and S. Baljeet Singh Khalsa.

Notably, members of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), United Akali Dal and Sarbat Khalsa 2015 appointed Jathedars remained missing.  They held separate meetings encouraging Sikh sangat to attend the event at Talwandi Sabo in November.