Global Sikh Council responds to Dasam Granth ‘video directive’

| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 5 Aug 2016 | Asia Samachar |

[A press release, dated 4 Aug 2016, from the Global Sikh Council (GSC), in response to a video purportedly a “directive from the Sikh Panth’s supreme authority” on Dasam Granth. GSC was condemned in the video distributed by some Malaysian-based persons via the social media]

[A press release, dated 4 Aug 2016, from the Global Sikh Council (GSC), in response to a video actively purportedly a "directive from the Sikh Panth's supreme authority" on Dasam Granth. GSC was condemned in the video distributed by some Malaysian-based persons via the social media — [A press release, dated 4 Aug 2016, from the Global Sikh Council (GSC), in response to a video actively purportedly a “directive from the Sikh Panth’s supreme authority” on Dasam Granth. GSC was condemned in the video distributed by some Malaysian-based persons via the social media

To The Entire Sikh World:

This press release is issued in response to an irresponsible statement issued by the Sewadar Iqbal Singh Ji of Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib, Patna Sahib, Bihar, and some clergy of the Gurdwara Sahib declaring the Global Sikh Council to be Panth Dokhi.

Global Sikh Council (GSC) was formed to meet the modern day needs of the growing Sikh community spread all over the globe. GSC is a worldwide Sikh organization with membership of National level Sikh organizations from various countries, from around the globe. In its structural formation, no one in its leadership role is either a self-appointed leader or an agent of any political party, religious clergy, or governmental agency. Its representatives are selected by the member organizations to form the General Body of the Global Sikh Council. The member representatives in turn select the Board, and the Executive Committee. Therefore its leadership is answerable only to its member organizations, and not to any un-connected self-appointed groups of clergy, or agents of any political or governmental agencies.

Representing the collective voice, sentiments, and understandings of the Global Sikh community; the GSC definitely stands firm on promoting the very unifying final order of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, namely “Sabh Sikhan ko hukam hai, Guru Manyo Granth;” meaning the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

The Global Sikh Council believes that Bani enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the only Guru of the Sikh community as ordained by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji himself. The Global Sikh Council believes that the Sikh Guru, Bani enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, is complete Guru of Sikhs in itself and does not need assistance of other RACHNAS, regardless of their source, to help make the Guru complete.

The Global Sikh Council also believes that the Sikh Rehat Maryada is the code of conduct to be followed by the entire Sikh Community, in their daily life.

Global Sikh Council fully support the actions taken by Malaysian Gurdwaras Council (MGC) to keep the Gurdwaras in Malaysia united under ONE GRANTH ONE PANTH. Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Sikh Rehat Maryada. GSC considers the above position completely in line with the beliefs of the Sikh community worldwide.

As for the Sewadar Iqbal Singh Ji and the rest of the clergy, at Harmandir Sahib, Patna Sahib, Bihar they have no authority to issue any Hukam Nama to the Panth. Presence of two other Sikhs who were dismissed from the post of the Jathedar by Panj Piaray actually diminishes the value, if it had any, of their statement even further. In addition Sewadar Iqbal Singh Ji and his clergy themselves are in violation of the Sikh Rehat Maryada by placing another Granth at equal level with Sri Guru Granth Sahib and reciting Bani from sources other than allowed by the Sikh Rehat Maryada. They are also in violation of the Resolution No: 36672 passed by SGPC declaring “Charitro Pakhyan” in Dasam Granth as not Bani of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, but Hindu Mythology. From this and other information world Sikh community already has about Sewadar Iqbal Singh Ji, world Sikh community can decide for themselves who is Panth Dokhi, Sewadar Iqbal Singh Ji and his clergy or the Global Sikh Council.

Global Sikh Council, with this press release, requests all Sikhs, who believe in uniting under “One Granth One Panth”, to please have their National level Sikh organizations join Global Sikh Council and strengthen the voice of the Global Sikh Community against such self-appointed, misguided, and antisikh leaders dividing the Sikh Panth.

Global Sikh Council would be open to entertaining any input and suggestions presented to it by credible Sikh individual or Sikh organization.

In Service of the Global Sikh Community

Secretary, Global Sikh Council,

On behalf of Global Sikh Council

[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]

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