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PRESS RELESE: by January 30th 2011 by COALITION of SIKH GURUDWARAS OF SOUTHERN CALIFOR
Southern California Gurudwaras Endorse Sri Akal Takhat Sahib
Approved 2003 Nanakshahi Calendar and Sikh Reht Maryada(1932-1945).
Los Angeles: January 30, 2011
Ramindejit Singh Sekhon
Representatives of the Metropolitan Gurudwaras and sikh institutions which included Lankershim Gurudwara, North Hollywood.Vermont Gurudwara, Los Angeles.Guru Nanak Sikh Temple, Buena Park.Singh Sabha Gurudwara, Walnut.Sikhs for Preservation of Sikh Heritage. Sikh Center of Orange County, Santa Ana.Sri Guru Granth Sahib Foundation, Anaheim. Sikh Temple of Riverside.Khalsa care Foundation Pacoima. Buena Park gurudwara on Stanton and American gurudwara prabhandhak committee participated in the meeting called by Coalition which was held at GuruNanak Sikh temple Buena park over the current Panthic issues and Nanakshahi Calendar. This calendar was approved in 2003 by worldwide Sikh organizations, Dharam Parchar committee of SGPC, General House and its executives of SGPC, and Sri Akal Takhat Sahib.
It was approved by Dharam Parchar committee Mata No. 698, dated December 10, 1997; General House Mata No. 100, dated March 18, 1998; Eleven member committee of Sikh scholars appointed by Sri Akal Takhat then and which still stands, Executive Committee of SGPC Mata No. 178, dated September 15, 1998; Akal Takhat Letter No. A 03/08/3143, dated March 28, 2003. Former Akal Takhat Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, in whose tenure the calendar was adopted, has reported in media that adequate time for suggestions and improvements was given. He recalled that opinions were invited on religious, ideological and historic grounds through a letter written on April 22, 2008, and the deadline was till August 15, 2008. But nobody came forward to suggest any amendment. However, this Calendar was rejected from the start by Takhats of Hazoor Sahib, Patna Sahib and Sant Samaj but they never filed any complaint in writing. . These Organizations participated and approved the Sikh Rehat Maryda document (1932-1945). But 1945 AD onwards never followed this Sikh Rehat Maryada as approved Sri Akal Takhat by themselves. They have been bent upon opposing it without any reason. Please note, after much deliberation and presentations over a period of several years Sikh Activists in Canada, USA and England succeeded in getting several fixed pattern Sikh historical days with schools & Government agencies. There was no complaint on record on the issue between 2003 -2009 and all SGPC run institutions followed it.
Revision in 2003 calendar and other such developments within the Panth have caused great concern to the Sikh Sangat at Global level. It is felt that appropriate steps need to be taken immediately to solve the resulting problems which, if ignored, may lead to disastrous results for the well being of the Panth. At this time anti-Panthic forces are active to dissolve social unity and harm religious identity of Sikhism. As a result Sikh ideology including tenets, history and code of conduct are in danger. For example, these malevolent/antipanthic forces are confusing and misleading the Sikh followers about relevance of Nanakshahi Calendar and sacredness of Sikh Code of Conduct (Rehat Maryada). Because of the upcoming election of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC), some pseudo-Sikh and Brahmnical Agenda oriented organizations are trying to influence the Jathedars of Takhats, Akali leadership and Shiromni Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee to impose/force anti-Gurmat ideology on Sikh Panth. Due to the dirty politics of vote grabbing, the leadership of SGPC is giving way under the political weight of anti-Panthic organizations and seems helpless and reluctant to take a stern stand and action against these dangerous Brahmnical forces. This helplessness of SGPC and Sikh religious leadership is purposely withholding their will, power and ability to provide rightful guidance about the undue problems of Nanakshahi Calendar and Sri Akal Takhat Approved Sikh Rehat Maryada 1932-1945. The current atmosphere created by some of these organizations demand Panthic unity based on Guru Granth and Guru Panth Concept in order to uphold the doctrinal originality of religious and social sacredness of Sikhism/Panth. Time is now to dislodge and discard these anti-Panthic movements and install rightful and original Sikh ideology with zeal and courage. The Deravadi Sant/Mahant Establishments are actively trying to impose the old Brahmnical ideology on Gurmat philosophy established by the sincere efforts of Singh Sabha and Akali Movement. The weak leadership of SGPC may yield to the devious efforts of these ungrateful forces but the Sikh intellectuals/scholars and Sikhs at large will never tolerate and accept such anti-Panthic activities. Appeal is made to all Pro-Panthic organizations and people of Sikh faith in general to join hands together against anti-Panthic organizations.
Therefore it was RESOLVED
1. We appreciate and support Jathedar Bal want Singh Nadhgarh and Former Jathedar Sri Akal Takhat Joginder Sigh Vedanti Stand on the issue of Nanakshahi Calendar 2003. Sikh Panth worldwide accepted Nanak Shahi Calendar 2003 and there was no complaint on record on the issue between 2003 -2009. But revised calendar 2010 has divided the Sikh Panth World Wide. Such division may become Permanent if Sikh Panth does not take any Action now. Therefore Request is made to SGPC President / Jathedar Sri Akal Takhat to take back all revisions and reinstitute the 2003 Version again. For any issue and any complaint they should call for opinion and meeting of Sarbat Khalsa of Sikh Intellectuals/organizations word wide for Consensual Decision in order to have Peace/Chardi kala of Sikh Panth Worldwide because any decision on Sikh calendar carries worldwide Impact. Will publish and distribute Sri Akal Takht properly approved Nanak Shahi Calendar 2003 every year among Sikh Sangat in Southern California.
2. Sikh Nation has One Granth, One Panth and One Rehat Maryada. Sikh institutions and Sikh Sangat of Southern California wants to stay away from Political Tug of war between the ruling Akali/BJP alliance and their opponent Congress Party in Panjab and India. Any sikh organization who does not follow Sikh Rehat Maryada and Sri Akal Takhat approved Matas/Adesh/Gurmatas/Hukamnamas should not have any connection with SGPC and Sri Akal Takhat. Request is again made to SGPC for Need of Establishment of Consensual Decision Making Central Sikh Authority with representation by Global Sikhs . Jathedars of Takhat Hazoor Sahib &Patna Sahib should not be allowed to participate in any meetings at Sri Akal Takhat Sahib until they follow Sri Akal Takhat sahib approved SRM (1932-1945), Nanakshahi Calendar (2003) and Gurmata#1 (June 6th 2008) which enforces last Command of Guru Gobind Singh Ji to follow Guru Granth sahib only ( from 1708 AD onwards). Therefore no other Granth can be kept parallel to Sri Guru Granth Granth sahib Ji
3. If S.G.P.C. Amritsar and Sri Akal Takhat Sahib wants that all its directives must be accepted all over the world, then Sikh Sangat from all over the world must get representation on the selection/election process of central Authority. We request participation of all Sikhs worldwide in election/selection in appointment of the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat sahib living outside 1925 Sikh Gurudwara Act jurisdiction.
4. All Gurudwaras must follow Sri Akal Takhat sahib approved Sikh Rehat Maryada(1932-1945). Chapter 5 of which reads “ In the congregation, Kirtan only of Gurbani (Guru Granth's or Guru Gobind Singh's hymns) and, for its elaboration, of the compositions of Bhai Gurdas and Bhai Nand Lal, may be performed.” Avoid any discourse from Sanatanti Sikh Literature.
5. We resolve to support all Sikh organizations and Punjab government for pressuring the Government of India for passing the ANAND MARRIAGE ACT.
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