In a speech delivered through Skype to the participants of the International Sikh Conference in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 1 December,  the President of the Global Sikh Council, Lady Kanwaljit Kaur raises core issues of sovereignty of Guru Granth Sahib, uniqueness of the Panth-adopted Sikh Rehat Maryada and exhorts the Sikh youth to follow core values, focussing on Sarbat da Bhala and ignoring rituals and unnecessary practices.

We the Sikhs have a glorious history and are proud of our ancestry and we have to work hard so that our future generations are proud of us. Following the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib, treating all human beings equally, with an absolutely big no to the caste system, respect for equality of women and zero tolerance for dowry and female infanticide and foeticide, Sikhs are ordained by God Almighty to work for Sarbat da Bhala in a spirit of Chardikala.

Global Sikh Council is privileged to play a crucial role in the International Sikh Conference in Jakarta, Indonesia, organised by GSC member Balwant Singh. The conference will see the participation of members of the GSC playing a leading role. GSC is committed to help all engaged in spreading the message of our Gurus and to enable Sikh Sangats and institutions worldwide to resolve problems and difficulties.

The International Sikh Conference is the confluence of Sikhs from different countries, especially of Southeast Asia to discuss issues and evolve solutions thereto. We Sikhs wherever we are -Jahan Jahan Khalsa Ji Sahib -we strive for unity of thought and action on social and cultural practices as enunciated in the Guru Granth Sahib.

“The International Sikh Conference is the confluence of Sikhs from different countries, especially of Southeast Asia to discuss issues and evolve solutions thereto. We Sikhs wherever we are -Jahan Jahan Khalsa Ji Sahib -we strive for unity of thought and action on social and cultural practices as enunciated in the Guru Granth Sahib.”

Such gatherings are a strong reminder of our unwavering allegiance to our Guru Sahibs, a reiteration of our commitment to Guru Granth Sahib and a resolve to follow the teachings contained in Guru Granth Sahib. We join heads to convey to all that the Sikh way of life is a life devoted to Nam Japna, Kirat Karni and Vand Chhakna while keeping rituals and superstitions at bay.

GSC is a worldwide Sikh organisation with membership of national level Sikh organisations from around the world. The Global Sikh Council -GSC was formed in 2014 in an endeavour to address serious concerns of the Sikh Diaspora over mushrooming of deras run by sants and babas, who mislead gullible Sikhs to follow distorted versions of our Gurus’ teachings.

The Global Sikh Council is dedicated to promote the clear-cut final unifying diktat of Guru Gobind Singh, ‘Sabh Sikhan ko hukam hai, Guru Manio Granth’ -all Sikhs are ordained to follow only and only Guru Granth Sahib. GSC believes that Guru Granth Sahib is the only Guru of the Sikhs. My message to the Sikh youth in Indonesia is that they should read and understand the Guru Granth Sahib in any language that they are fluent in and live true to the teachings. Read and understand the Rehat Maryada of 1945 and follow it for Sikh religious and social practices. Do not indulge in rituals and superstitions that are not part of the Sikh religion. Ignore the culture that has made inroads into your home and create a culture based on Sikh teachings.

“GSC is a worldwide Sikh organisation with membership of national level Sikh organisations from around the world. The Global Sikh Council -GSC was formed in 2014 in an endeavour to address serious concerns of the Sikh Diaspora over mushrooming of deras run by sants and babas, who mislead gullible Sikhs to follow distorted versions of our Gurus’ teachings.”

It us up to the young Sikh men and women to separate the true Sikh practices from the false ones, stick to these yourself and promote them among others. It is imperative to debate the issues that are worrying you with Sikhs who have knowledge of Sikh religion -scholars, philosophers, and historians. Get your Sikh fundamentals clear from the educated one and do not give the Gurdwara stages to those who talk about mythology and subtly mix it with Sikhism. You should remember that when you were hounded and made to leave home and hearth, the Sikhs of yore made jungles their homes, looked up to the sky in a positive spirit and continued their lives.

The Global Sikh Council unambiguously endorses the Sikh Rehat Maryada published in 1945 by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, which is the code of conduct to be followed by Sikhs in their daily life. GSC stands committed to safeguard the sovereignty of Guru Granth Sahib and promotion of the Rehat Maryada of 1945 that was passed by the Sikh Panth and issued by the SGPC.

Let me share that there are many problems confronting the Sikh community -from within and without. There are more problems facing the Sikh community from various deras, babas, and saints who distort Sikh teachings to suit their own purposes, establish their own sangats to collect funds for their personal benefit.  SGPC needs to overhaul its working to become a true representative of the Sikhs and embark on an ambitious program for propagation of the Sikh faith. They also need to have a more democratic mechanism to resolve Panthic disputes.

Issues of Rehat Maryada, Gurmeet Ram Rahim, use of tables for Langar, reverting of the Nanakshahi Calendar to Bikrami, celebration of Parkash Purab of Guru Gobind Singh twice a year and during the martyrdom week of Sahibzade are a sample of the mess that we are in today.  We need to develop either from Punjab or from the Diaspora a new set of individuals who would provide leadership on the understanding and promotion of Sikh teachings and the unique Sikh identity in the modern world.

GSC is committed to uphold the supremacy of Guru Granth Sahib and contend with these and many other issues in different countries through member organisations and activist individuals. We hope to increase our membership beyond the present 20 in the months and years to come.

I believe that East Asia Sikhs have  been relatively inactive in their relations with Punjab in the past. I think with active participation of the GSC, this is bound to change as there will be interaction with Sikhs from many countries.

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Sometimes, coming to a new country, we face new problems and pressures, and take time to settle down. Now that the Sikhs in Indonesia are pretty well settled, it is time to go to the next level and strengthen links with the Diaspora as well as Punjab. GSC has resolved to work closely with Sikh Indonesians.