American Sikhs Support Panthik Front In SGPC Elections

File Photo: Sukhdev Singh Bhaur

WASHINGTON DC, USA—Prominent Sikhs in America are watching the SGPC elections with a keen eye.  Many are pleased that there is now a credible opposition to the domination of the Badal family in the SGPC power structure. Panthik Front led by Sukhdev Singh Bhaur is fielding their own candidate to run for the position of SGPC. Bhaur had resigned from the executive of SGPC following the incidents of desecration of Guru Granth Sahib in 2015 and due to failure of Badal government to handle the sensitive matters.
 
Amritpal Singh, Founder of the Visalia Gurdwara in Fresno area, stated “We would appeal to all the SGPC members to really vote with their conscience. They must take a stand in supporting Panthik Front and not support Akali Dal Badal which did not do anything even after the beadbi (desecration) of Guru Granth Sahib in Bargadi.”
 
Malkiat Singh Bassi, Founder of the Dundalk Gurdwara in Baltimore, said, “We are now hopeful that there are some honest people who are ready to take stand for Guru Granth Sahib and stop the corrupt people controlling our institutions. It is shameful how Akali Dal Badal manipulated SGPC and Akal Takht to give clean chit to Ram Rahim.”
 
Sarabjit Singh, member of the Khalsa Care Foundation Gurdwara in Los Angeles, said, “SGPC is such an important institution and so much good can be done but unfortunately in the last two decades it has been converted into a private enterprise for Badal family and their cohorts. They have let Sikh youth go astray and crores of budget has been used for their own benefit or for their own political campaigns. Sikhi needs to be saved from these anti-Panthik people. So we appeal to all the current members to think about Guru Ramdas ji before voting.”
 
Dr. Avtar Singh Tinna, a prominent Dentist and well-respected Sikh leader in New York, said, “We are always upset with the way Akal Takht’s institution has been weakened and used by Badal and his puppet SGPC presidents. It is about time that we restore the glory and respect to this highest institution. Only way that can be achieved is if we have SGPC in the hands of the people who think about Sikhi rather than themselves.”
 
Dr. Rajwant Singh, Secretary of the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation and Founder of the National Sikh Campaign, said, “SGPC is so critical for the survival of the Sikhi in Punjab. All its resources have not been used for the betterment of the Sikhs in Punjab especially those who are from the poor and weaker sections. It is so critical that this institution is run efficiently by people who have a vision rather than by the people who are a rubber stamp in the hands of corrupt politicians.”
 
Inder Paul Singh Gadh, Chairman of the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation in Washington, said, “Current Akali leaders have ruined Punjab economically and they have done enormous damage to the respect of Sikh institutions. SGPC has been reduced to a doormat by Sukhbir Badal and his family. They have no record to show how have they used crores of funds to help common Sikhs. or have strengthened Sikhi in villages. Sikhi spirit is down among the youth and they have no role models. All the jathedars and religious leaders have a tarnished image. It is about time we ask our SGPC members to vote for the right people. So we urgently appeal to all SGPC members to vote for the Panthik Front candidate.”
 
Harpreet Kaur, Managment member of the Sikh Gurdwara in Washington, DC, said, “In the past, SGPC was run by people who had high moral character and who were inspirational through their own personal examples. Unfortunately, the credibility of the Sikh institution has been reduced nowadays due to the manner the SGPC has been functioning. It is high time that we stand up for the values taught by our Gurus. Sikh women and common people ought to be involved in the functioning of the our institutions and our Panthik affairs. I would support honest people to run SGPC.”

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