While there are fewer Sikh activists and bodies talking about peace or taking sides in the Israel-Palestine war which is endangering world peace, the stand of the Global Sikh Council in making an appeal for an immediate truce in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict during its recently held annual general meeting convened online is likely to reverberate among the Diaspora Sikh communities and even through international humanitarian corridors. WSN reports.

Representatives of Sikh organizations and activists from across 31 countries, during the recent Global Sikh Council digital summit, passed a resolution imploring the United Nations Security Council to spearhead efforts for a ceasefire in the Gaza region. This call comes amidst escalating tensions that have seen numerous civilian casualties, including women and children. The Global Sikh Council’s voice adds a significant moral weight to the global outcry for peace and humanitarian aid in this beleaguered zone.

Echoing the council’s commitment to global humanitarian causes, transcending geographic and cultural boundaries, she stated, “Our heart goes out to those suffering in this conflict. It’s high time for a peaceful resolution, and the UN must step in with both aid and diplomacy.”

The Global Sikh Council resolved that “The reports of deaths and injuries to thousands of women and children are deeply distressing. While every nation has the right to safeguard its country from any foreign aggression killing innocent women and children is a crime against humanity. Global Sikh Council calls upon the world leaders and the United Nations to put an end to this misery of the people in Gaza and work for a peaceful settlement.”

Lady Singh of Wimbledon, Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur -wife of the illustrious Lord Singh of Wimbledon Indarjit Singh and President of the Global Sikh Council, delivered a resolute message, condemning the air strikes ravaging Gaza.

In a poignant intervention, the meeting which saw the participation of legal, religious, judicial, and social stalwarts from many countries, also resolved to applaud Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s initiative to investigate the murder of Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh and called upon India to actively participate in international investigation.

The resolution in this context passed by the Global Sikh Council reads, “While the Global Sikh Council condemns all sorts of violence and acts against any country on foreign soil, the killing of Nijjar allegedly by agents of a third country has shocked the Sikh world. We urge the Canadian government to expedite the investigation into this case so that the family of Hardeep Singh Nijjar can get closure. We also call upon India to actively participate in the international investigation into the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.”

We urge the Canadian government to expedite the investigation into this case so that the family of Hardeep Singh Nijjar can get closure. We also call upon India to actively participate in the international investigation into the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Turning its gaze inwards, the Global Sikh Council urged Sikhs in Punjab to proactively engage in the forthcoming elections for the Sikh Parliament -the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). In an impassioned plea, Lady Singh urged, “I call upon every Sikh to exercise their right to vote. Your participation is crucial in shaping the future of our community.”

The keynote address by Advocate Jeewan Singh from Tamil Nadu sparked a dialogue on caste issues within the Sikh community, advocating for an egalitarian society that echoes the founding principles of the Khalsa. Jeevan Singh dwelt on the caste issue at length and emphasized the need for urgent steps to undo the damage done to the Sikh ethos and the Sikh way of life by a majority of the Sikhs -both in the homeland and elsewhere by superimposing caste in social, religious and political spheres. He said, “The future of Sikhism can be secured by annihilating the caste system which despite the Guru’s dictum has percolated into Sikh society.”

“The future of Sikhism can be secured by annihilating the caste system which despite the Guru’s dictum has percolated into Sikh society.”

Giani Kewal Singh, former Jathedar Takht Damdama Sahib, who completed an extensive tour of the country to highlight the contribution of the Singh Sabha movement as part of the 150 years of the Singh Sabha appealed for the religious and spiritual upliftment of Sikh character to bring the Sikhs out of the rut, they are in. He repeated ad nauseam the urgent need to join hands, hearts, and minds for the Chardikala of the Khalsa Panth.

Giani Kewal Singh emphasized the urgent need to join hands, hearts, and minds for the Chardikala of the Khalsa Panth.

Editor of the World Sikh News Jagmohan Singh, giving graphic details of state intervention through lacunae in the various legislations governing the management of historical Gurdwaras appealed for working for reform through advocacy and legal outreach.

Kiranjot Kaur highlighted the pivotal role of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) as the representative body of Sikhs not only in Punjab but across India, with provisions for nominated members from other regions. However, she noted the absence of a system for including Sikhs living abroad and urged them to connect with the SGPC to voice community concerns, especially since they face fewer media restrictions and can thus serve as the community’s eyes and ears.

SGPC member Kiranjot Kaur noted the absence of a system in the SGPC for including Sikhs living abroad and urged them to connect with the SGPC to voice community concerns.

Addressing the sensitive issue of gender fluidity and the recent controversy over a same-sex Anand Karaj ceremony, she called for open discussions outside India due to the limited acceptability of such debates within the country. She also responded to S. Jagmohan Singh’s query regarding caste in voter lists, explaining that it’s necessary for identifying those eligible for government benefits.

Others who participated in the Zoom conference included Harbir Singh Bhatia from Australia, Jagir Singh from Malaysia, Dr Karminder Singh, Gurdial Singh of France, Karanbir Singh of Canada, Rajinder Singh, Harjeet Singh, Satnam Singh and Parmjeet Singh.

Harsimran Singh, continuing from his previous discourse at the GSC, expressed concern over the manipulation of sentiments by a minority amongst the majority, with their anti-Sikh agenda, emphasizing that internal strife is more alarming than external threats. On the issue of leadership, he said it is said the time has come for collective decision-making instead of looking for an illusory perfect leadership which will probably never happen.

Sikh researcher and ideologue, Singh called for a unified and multilingual propagation of the Guru’s teachings to ensure that the Sikh perspective is effectively communicated to the global audience.

On the issue of leadership, Sikh researcher and ideologue Harsimran Singh said the time has come for collective decision-making instead of looking for an illusory perfect leadership which will probably never happen.

Retd. Col Jagtar Singh Multani provided an update on the initiatives undertaken by the ISC and the Kendriya Singh Sabha. He went on to describe projects focused on the Sikligar and Vanjara communities in Telangana and Maharashtra. Emphasizing the importance of education in nation-building, he called upon the GSC to allocate resources towards educational initiatives.

Emphasizing the importance of education in nation-building, Col Jagtar Singh Multani called upon the GSC to allocate resources towards educational initiatives.

Additionally, he shared insights from their nationwide yatra celebrating 150 years of the Singh Sabha movement, along with Giani Kewal Singh, Khushal Singh, and others, which broadened their exposure to diverse Sikh philosophies, particularly noting the growth of Sikhism in western and southern India.

Harsaran Singh from Pondicherry made appropriate interventions and coordinated the meet.

The Global Sikh Council has taken appropriate steps in the right direction from time to time, may be it will do well to hold regular meetings with focussed projects for maximum impact in the chosen area of domain.