The Editor, The World Sikh News writes a comprehensive Open Letter to Giani Gurbachan Singh -Jathedar Akal Takht Sahib, elaborating the genesis of the issue relating to the pardon by the Sikh religious leadership to blasphemous pseudo-saint cultist- Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh, who has and continues to the challenge the fundamentals of Sikh religious ethos. He seeks immediate reversal of the decision and a determined effort by the Khalsa Commonwealth to undo the damage, should the religious leadership fail to do so.

Respected Jathedar Sahib Ji
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

The life and times of the Sikhs is going through a serious metamorphosis. Sikhs are confused about their status and destiny. They are more materialistic today than ever before. The various divisionary trends –in the Sikh world on the religio-political spectrum are increasing by the day. Very few realize the extent of the damage and those who do, are stuck in their own their own unbending calculations and stances.

The religio-political leadership of the Sikhs is virtually non-existent. Willy-nilly, we are engaged in a self-destructive campaign of undermining and denigrating Sikh ethos and Sikh institutions. The social and cultural leadership of the Sikhs has a small canvas. The religious leadership is helpless. The apex religious body –the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, functions more like a branch than the main source, from which should flow the various roles of the community. The political leadership has its own petty political agenda, with the tag line -the community be damned, who cares!

The concerned Sikh is entrenched in a bitter struggle to save our traditional mores.Dejectedly, the general prognosis is that we have either lost the battle or are fightinga lost one.

Notwithstanding the dispute about the historic status and role of the Akal Takht and its Jathedar; since the last four decades, the incumbent of the highest temporal authority of the Sikhs, has had to play a greater role in current religious and political developments. This role has rarely been bold, may be revolutionary on an occasion or two but generally has left the community more divided –questioning the very rationale of such an authority or even worse -denigrating the very importance of such an authority.

Before penning these thoughts, I waited in hope that you will catch the bull by its horns and call a spade a spade, although in the last few years and decades, there has been little to strengthen such an expectation. Your present decision with your companion Jathedars to exonerate a pseudo-saint –euphemistically calling himself Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh, has further confused, divided and challenged the role,

status and authority of the temporal seat of the Sikhs. This heretic, ably assisted by the Indian state and the Indian judiciary at all levels through acts of omission and commission, who faces charges of molestation, sexual assaults and murder, is systematically building a dangerous cult -not a sect -seriously threatening and challenging the teachings of the Sikh Gurus and norms of civilized social behaviour.

The pressure of pardon touted by a cross-section of the Sikh leadership is also a wrong tune based on an ill-understanding of Sikh ethics. It has been rightly observed that even the use of the nomenclature Sacha Sauda to describe the cult is a deep-rooted insult to Sacha Sauda -the true-bargain parable of Guru Nanak as a child. Blasphemy has to be punished not pardoned. Remorse must follow blasphemy not covert dialogues and relief in the face of a possible judicial verdict against the cultist chief and social opprobrium. Any political gain out of such a chicanery will be a death-blow to ethical behaviour and would be rightly perceived as crass political opportunism.Some time back, as a political activist, I had the opportunity to interact with members of the diplomatic community and senior journalists to deliberate and discuss the Sikh distinct identity question and the scope and paradigm of aspirations of the Sikh nation.

The salient questions that cropped up, perhaps based on an understanding of oriental religious studies were “Is the Sikh religious leadership a theocratic leadership?” and “Will the projected Sikh state be a theocratic state?” Also, the oft-repeated query, “In modern times, how can one mix politics and religion?” and “What is this religio-political approach?

The Akal Takht Sahib –‘the state within a state” has to uphold its own dignity and status. Without compromising the ideals, all the Jathedars, of all the Takhts and the Sikh people have to evolve and propagate the philosophy of Akal Takht Sahib and that of other Takhts in modern political idiom. This has not just to be described but also demonstrated. This is by no means an easy task, but it has to be done.

With all the humility taught to me by Guru Nanak, let me humbly submit that whatever the pressure, you need to stand upright as the true upholder of the seat of the Sixth Master –Guru Hargobind Sahib and reverse your decision granting pardon to the blasphemous cultist of Sirsa. Should this not happen soon, the Khalsa Panth –the Khalsa Commonwealth –the Sikh people will have no choice but to revive the old tradition of assembly at Akal Takht Sahib twice a year to make their own religio- political decisions. The collective will of the Khalsa Panth must and will prevail. After all, the “state within a state” has to function. The Throne of the Almighty cannot be usurped or undermined, devalued or denigrated by worldly powers.

You have no choice. Nobody has.

With humble regards and prayers for the Glory of the Khalsa.

Faith-fully yours

Jagmohan Singh