As a co-promoter and participant of the first-ever Panthic Assembly, the author, who is also the editor of the World Sikh News, is provides a ring-side view of the proceedings as well as the fall out of the same in the last few days in newspapers and on social media.

I present an insider’s view and analysis of the two-day proceedings of the first-ever Panthic Assembly, which did not come a day too soon as Sikhs are distraught with the failure of their established institutions and there is a need for a new Sikh leadership.   

Put together by activists Giani Kewal Singh, Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, Prof. Jagmohan Singh, Navkiran Singh, Kanwarpal Singh and Jaswinder Singh Advocate, with support from many volunteers, to discuss the issue of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib in Punjab and the role of the police in firing at peaceful protestors three years ago in October 2015, the Panthic Assembly was an attempt to use the Westminster model of the legislature, yet compare it with the age-old tradition of the Sarbat Khalsa when the Khalsa Panth used to assemble at the Akal Takht Sahib twice a year, to iron out differences and bring forth acceptable solutions on matters of concern to the community from time to time.

““Let’s make the Panthic Assembly a permanent platform” was the call from most speakers, as well as from comments on social media, with many viewing it as the “utopian solution” to all problems. Generally the organisers seem pleased with the response during and after the Assembly.”

Talking about the timing of the Panthic Assembly, young professional Amanjeet Singh from Dubai was on the dot when he said, “no one can stop an idea whose time has come.”

The contradictions in the approach were palpably visible during the proceedings and were vehemently pointed out by thinker and historian Ajmer Singh. He was skeptical of reaping in results in such a situation, but was appreciative of the attempt to get together and talk to each other rather than talking at each other.

Nevertheless, there was no wavering in the intention and push of the promoters to give a full chance and opportunity to around 80 of the 110 members of all walks of life from Punjab, outside Punjab and the Diaspora who expressed their opinion not only on various aspects of the subject but digressed to other local issues as well.

As the appointment of the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib was the very next day of the conclusion of the Panthic Assembly, the body rejected the appointment of Jathedar by the SGPC, “without Panthic consultation and in the absence of norms for appointment, removal and framework of work for Takht jathedars.” However, how the unique character of the Akal Takht Sahib being “a state within a state” which makes the Sikhs a unique religio-political nation, has been eroded by the Sikhs themselves and how today there are Jathedars one too many with no possibility of unanimity in sight, was not touched.

“A Punjabi newspaper called “the Panthic Assembly a step-sister of the SGPC.” At the very first session, if the PA is the step-sister of SGPC, then surely, becoming the real one is not far away.”

As the proceedings were telecast live, a few speakers played to the gallery. They were not participating in the proceedings; they were actually addressing someone.  Sikh nationalist representatives stretched the argument to say that a Sikh state is a panacea for all evils. They tremendously enjoyed their own voice.

 Citing conspiratorial attempts by the Sauda Sirsa Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim and his destructive cult, the Panthic Assembly, considering all Commission reports, sought a ban on the Sauda Dera in Punjab and Haryana and sealing of all their Namcharcha Ghars which were dens of conspiracy to undermine Sikhs and Sikhism and conspiracy proceedings for sacrilege and blasphemy against their cultist chief. The recent detention of three Premis is a pointer in this direction.

All Sikh representatives from out of Punjab were unanimous that the Sikhs of Punjab do not pay much intention to their concerns and problems and only in times of dire need that they start thinking about them. They said, “Sikh leaders in Punjab fail to understand that everything that they say and do affects the lives and politics of the Sikhs living outside Punjab.” One speaker, however rightly said, “It is time that the Sikhs living outside the state, start considering Punjab as their motherland. It is time for them to take more interest in Punjab if the vice-versa is not happening.”

Popular Sikh missionary Bhai Panthpreet Singh pointed out the various sacrileges willy-nilly carried out by various people within the Sikh community and how the community shuts its eyes to them. He called for looking within too as equally necessary while we are focussed on looking outside.  

The ire of the people was reflected in the resolution for political boycott of the Badals. All attempts to evolve a political outfit out of the Panthic Assembly proceedings were tactfully scuttled by the core committee which had convened the meeting.

“The pioneers will do well to remember, “Rome was not built in a day.”

Lawyer activist Navkiran Singh in a deeply satirical manner questioned the Sikh leaders playing the victim card and blaming external forces and said, “We are ourselves responsible for many things and it is time to look within also.”

Young activists Gauravdeep Singh from Ludhiana and Gurmeet Singh from Ranchi emphasized the need for more youth participation and a more thorough preparation for such meetings.

Over a period of two days, deliberations were conducted in a pretty democratic manner in which some speakers insensitively usurped the time of others, while many were to the point and direct. I must confess that the peaceful and democratic proceedings of the day were marred by the last one hour or so when the resolutions were discussed and resolved. All hell broke loose and members were debating what was not within the purview of the Panthic Assembly.

The images of the Panthic Assembly proceedings broadcast live by Akaal Channel inspired a lot of hope. Generally speaking, Sikh opinion makers admired the democratic structure of the Assembly, the mannerisms and procedure. On social media, a few thousand people from across the globe listened to their favourite speakers as well as some patiently sat through the entire proceedings.

Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann endorsed the resolutions adopted by the Panthic Assembly but suggested that it should have expanded the scope of the topics taken up for discussion.

Taking a holier-than-thou attitude, some activists through their long diatribes on social media tried to create a wedge between the organisers of the Panthic Assembly and the Bargari Insaaf Morcha without reading the resolutions of the Panthic Assembly endorsing everything that the Morcha stood for. Despite their best efforts, they could not hide their malafide intentions.

A Punjabi newspaper called “the Panthic Assembly a step-sister of the SGPC.” At the very first session, if the PA is the step-sister of SGPC, then surely, becoming the real one is not far away.

“Let’s make the Panthic Assembly a permanent platform” was the call from most speakers, as well as from comments on social media, with many viewing it as the “utopian solution” to all problems.   Generally the organisers seem pleased with the response during and after the Assembly.

I felt that the surge of sentiments arose out of a desire to achieve something in the 2019 Indian general elections and the anytime-possible SGPC general elections. Such forums can achieve something only if a long term view can be taken and as far as Sikh systems are concerned, “the dichotomy between the traditional and the modern can be resolved and haste can be avoided at all costs.”   

Launching a frontal attack on India, the Panthic Assembly said that “the Indian state allows by default the nefarious designs of sacrilege and blasphemy to happen and then reduces it to a law and order problem, allowing the police and other forces to kill innocent protestors as has happened in Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan.” It is with this in mind that the Panthic Assembly, even though, it has adjourned sine die, decided to publish a White Paper “to go into the entire gamut of the Bargari, Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura incidents in the context of the role of the Sauda Dera organisation and its chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim.”

Recalling that sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib is not a new occurence, the Panthic Assembly reminisced that “in February 2, 1986, four Sikh youth were killed in a cold blooded murder spree by the police at Nakodar when they were protesting the sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib. The Panthic Assembly resolved to follow the government for making the Justice Gurnam Singh Commission Report into the Nakodar killings public.

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Former scribe and author Jaspal Singh Sidhu made an interesting observation by saying, “This is a step to show the capacity of Sikhs for self-rule.”

The first steps have been taken. We will do well to serve the community if we remember and work taking into account, “Rome was not built in a day.” “Kabul de rehn valyan lahi nitt muhima” The Sikhs as residents of Kabul “are always on a mission”. Let this be the mission of the decade, if not of the century!