A Lone Ranger; defending the Sikh cause since 2007
Exploratory article by Dr. Jagroop Singh, student of Sikh Studies without funding or conflict of interest (5 March 2022)
Baldev Singh Sirsa, a lone voice emerging from the ‘deafening’ silence of others but continues the battle unabated
Sikh Institutional failure responsible for the Corruption of Sikh Literature & Gurubani Text is not new! Badal family has long established it’s total control over Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Akal Takht. The Hindutva agenda of a Hindu Rashtar, originally started under the Arya Samaj movement in the latter part of 19th century have continually claimed, “Sikhs are Hindus”. Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha refuted this none sense in his book, “Hum Hindu Nahi”. Principal Labh Singh (2001) rebutted similar claims made in a book by Rajinder Singh Nirala in 1999. In actual fact this ‘ownership’ claim has roots during the times of Guru Nanak about the “revelatory faith”, Sikh Panth.
It is unbelievable that this book, “Sikh Ithihas” in Hindi was produced also in 1999, on the occasion of 300th anniversary celebrations of Khalsa Diwas. Unaligned to Sikh principles and values, this can only have sinister motives of maligning our glorious history. The ‘secret’ publication appears to be the work of Rashtriya Sikh Sangat (RSS), a sister organization of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. And yet, the emblem of Dharam Parchar Committee (a sub committee of the SGPC) is prominently displayed on its cover. This book came to the attention of Baldev Singh Sirsa in 2007 when he filed a petition to the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission. The protracted process of ‘stringing it along’ was to result in its inevitable dismissal in 2013. The official but shameful reason given was prolonged time lapse between the publication and the petition being submitted. However, an in house investigation acknowledged the major errors and made claims of its withdrawal. However, no one has been held to account!
It is worth remembering that in 1999 Gurcharan Singh Tohra at the helm of the SGPC under ‘instruction’ of the CM of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal. The plans were in place for big celebrations for the 300th anniversary of Khalsa Diwas from 2 years earlier with a declaration of publishing 300 new books on Sikh history. People love positive ‘sound bites’ but no one had the wisdom to question, why was it deemed necessary to rewrite Sikh history? Or who was to write such books? What purpose is there in a Hindi publication? There is speculation of 8 books being written but only 1 has surfaced. This book of 722 pages is written anonymously, without place of publication or its designated edition. This is both suspicious and conspiratorial?
This prose conveys the basic narration of Sikh Gurus in an abject manner without veneration with plenty of contentious and offensive material. The following issues have been ‘aired’ on social media, demand our attention, consideration and possible action: –
- Nanak was guided by an Islamic Saint/Guru and under his influence, a Muslim convert. He was later responsible for ‘inviting’ the Mughal invasion. This is both contradictory and confusing since a further claim is that Guru Nanak did not start any new religion?
- Guru Arjan committed suicide as opposed to the widely accepted and documented history of the tortuous martyrdom
- Guru Hargobind became mentally disturbed & unstable following this event. Subsequent fear of death and paranoia necessitated round the clock security/protection. This is not consistent with the Guru who laid the foundation of the Miri Piri concept intertwining the spiritual with the temporal?
- The claim of Guru Hargobind working ‘hand in hand’ with the Mughal authorities is contestable considering multiple battles fought over conflicting ideologies
- Upon Guru Har Rai’s ‘passing’, his older son Ram Rai was overlooked for succession in view of his illegitimacy?
- Guru Teg Bahadur and his accomplices were fugitives living as outlaws in jungles. They were captured by the Mughal authorities and executed ‘them’ as common criminals. How does this book reconcile the narrative of Kashmiri Pundits approaching the Guru in Anandpur Sahib for help? How can the documentation of the Mughal Court scholars be ignored?
- Guru Gobind Singh Ji supposed to have gone to Naina Devi, to do “Tapasia” (devotional practice) to the Hindu deity. Due to the Guru being frightened he thrust forward his sword, and the power of the deity was transferred by her touch. And it was this sword, which was used in preparing Amrit for the ordination of the Khalsa Panth. This is at odds with our belief of “Khande Bate di Pahul” resulting in transformative fearlessness in battles against all odds.
- Guru Gobind Singh Ji supposed to have died as result of being grief stricken after loosing his 4 sons. This may be applicable for ordinary human beings but not our venerable Guru Ji who became the Father of the Qaum.
- Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, the utmost brave, credible and reliable Sikh General is depicted as a rogue and misogynous individual?
- Piara Lal Garg observed numerous spelling and grammatical errors distorting the meaning of quoted passages
Currently, 11th and 12th grade textbooks contain even more falsified information using this “Sikh Ithias” book from 1999 as reference source. The dangers are clear to see for the education of future generations who will not know any better.
Other suspect literature
“Gurbilas Patshai Shevin (6th)” published in 1995, on the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. His conception as a near full term foetus is described as “immaculate” upon the blessing of Baba Budha Ji? There is a derogatory passage referring to the Qazi’s adopted daughter, Kaulan presenting a ‘carnal attraction’ to the Guru and those present whilst delivering his sermon.
Gurmat Parkash, a monthly magazine of SGPC from 2013 has pictures of Sahibzade with cut hair wearing head coverings of a cap or hat.
Nanak Shah Fakir film was initially promoted by Bibi Jagir Kaur only to reverse its endorsement upon the widespread criticism. This demonstrates the lack of accountability of the SGPC and the slippery attitude to apportion blame elsewhere for their misdeeds.
A book pertaining to “Key personalities in Sikh history” (by Roop Singh) states that Baba Deep Singh was not beheaded during the battle for the Durbar Sahib. This contradicts Baba Deep Singh’s picture within the Harmandar Sahib complex and is causing doubt and confusion.
A book on Guru Gobind Singh Ji is published from Nagpur, a central base of RSS. It conveys Guru Gobind Singh’s allegiance to Hinduism and the Hindu Rashtar in a time when there was no concept of Bharat, as we know it today.
Worryingly, the integrity of the Punjab University is also fast diminishing with dubious professorial appointments. Recent appointment of the new VC, Dr Raj Kumar is an example of intellectual dishonesty. The short list did not contain anyone from minorities, schedule castes or tribes with direct involvement of the Chandigarh BJP president Sanjay Tandon. Appointment of a known BJP-RSS aligned person undermines the autonomy and the secular character of Punjab University. Singhal reported in the Indian Express that ‘backhand’ moves were afoot to dismantle the senate with personnel directly appointed by the Central Government.
Senior roles in all sections of the bureaucratic and administrative organizational appointments are from outside of Punjab. This undermines the morale of Punjabi people and heightens their suspicion of Central Government agendas. Unfortunately, the Sikh institutions are unable to muster a unified approach to the multifaceted literary corruption of Sikh ethos in its entirety. Furthermore, the abuse of power by Government Agencies through ‘psychological warfare’ is a constant cause of destabilization of the Sikh Qaum. Without adequately resourced surveillance or strategic thought, the Qaum remains in a constant state of flux. Only weak in response but constantly ‘firefighting’, the Qaum is heavily reliant on individual efforts. The people are “caught between a rock and a hard place”, reluctant to criticize the SGPC and SAD whilst knowing the full extent of the prevailing corruption. How long can we continue like this when the obvious need is for a moral ‘realization’ of SGPC in directing the SAD rather than the other way round. This can only happen by ditching the currently corrupt democratic process imposed upon us by ‘outsiders’. Those with a track record of voluntary service should be lined up for preferential opportunities and measures to exclude self-interested politicians.
Reference:
Singh, Bir Devinder (2018) Appointment of RSS man as the PU VC disturbing (Yes Punjab, Chandighar) 24 July 2018
Now RSS after Punjab University (Pro Punjab)
TikTok video@tractortotwitter
Garg, Piara Lal Dr. (2022) Wake up call to Sikhs as history and religious texts are being corrupted (Sanjha TV HD Canada) 23 February 2022
Sidhana, Lakha (2022) Lakha Sidhana protest in Mohali Rally against Punjab School Education Board (YouTube) 25 February 2022
Sirsa, Baldev Singh (2013) Breakfast News – SGPC Presents Sikh Gurus in Negative Shades – 16 March 2013 (Day & Night News, Chandigarh)
Singhal, Pallavi (2021) Panjab University: Former student leaders protest at varsity, alleges VC a puppet in the hands of ‘BJP-RSS’ (Indian express, Chandigarh)
Khalsa Diary 