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California Sikhs deprecate proposed installation
of Dasam Granth
Dr.Baljeet Sahi
LOS ANGELES: The political tug of war in the
Punjab region has now entered a new phase. Sikh religion is being
turned into a ploy in grabbing the attention of the local
electorate. Under the guidance and auspices of political parties
that are anti-Sikh, efforts are under way to install Dasam Granth in
Sikh Gurudwaras. While Dasam Granthis considered an important
reading reference by many Sikhs, its authenticity has been
questioned by numerous learned Sikh scholars. Dasam Granth according
to Sikh scholars has no bearingas a religious Granth for the Sikhs
because as per the Sikh Rehat Maryada, which dictates the doctrine;
One Panth and One Granth, there is only one Granth – Sri Guru Granth
Sahib.
In a joint statementon October 29th, 2006, the Coalition of
Gurudwaras ofCalifornia and the watchdog group Sikhs for the
Preservation ofSikhism and Sikh Heritage in a referendum to the
Sikhs of the world had pointed out that Sikhs have only One Granth
and One Panth and groups such as Rashtriya Swamsewak Sangh, and
Rashtriya Sikh Sangat are responsible in conspiring to commit a
concealed as well as public onslaught on Sikhs and their religion to
divide the Sikhs and redefine Sikhism and that they must stop such
nefarious activities.”
On hearing the news of the possibility of installation of the Dasam
Granth in Sikh Gurudwaras the members of the two groups were
appalled and said that Indian politicians are stooping to new and
low degrading standards for winning the oncoming elections. A member
of Coalition speaking anonymously said that Shiromani Akali Dal
(Mann) and Longowal have denounced such a move. There is a general
consensus of the Sikhs of California that they do not approve of the
installation of Dasam Granth as a holy book in any Sikh Gurudwara in
India or for that matter anywhere in the world.
Spokespersons of the Coalition and the watchdog group unanimously
endorsed the statement of Dr. Manohar Singh, Chairperson, World Sikh
Council - America that the “The Sikh Rehat Maryada explicitly
prohibits the installation of any book in a Gurdwara in any manner
used for Guru Granth Sahib.” They further retreated that “Guru
Gobind Singh Ji sanctified only one granth which is Sri Guru Granth
Sahib.” The authenticity of the published Dasam Granth, compiled and
based upon Sodhak Committee Report 1897, needs a thorough and
independent inquiry by panthic scholars of all shades and by a
committee under the guidance of the SGPC and Akal Takhat as
soon as possible.
They further added that there is substantial evidence that the Dasam
Granth was planted in Punjab by the British, in the 18th century, to
divide the Sikhs and their psyche. Unfortunately, the idea of the
British, according to them, is now being exploited by Mr. Rulda
Singh, President, Rashtriya Sikh Sangat who under the supervision of
Rashtriya Swamsewak Sangh, sponsors renegade scholars such as
Dr. Jodh Singh, Mr. Harpal Pannu, and Mr. Gurcharan Lamba to endorse
Dasam Granth against the wishes of the Sikhs.
22 November 2006
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