Dear Editor

With reference to the letter of Dr. Arjinderpal Sekhon (WSN May 16) regarding the interpretation of in Japji, I may state that:

  1. Principal Teja Singh in his Sundar Gutka Steek “has given the following interpretation « (p.6):
  2. A similar meaning has been given by Giani Harbans Singh of Chandigarh in his published after five or six years of intensive study and research as follows :( p. 65)
  3. The most distressing part of the story is the disparaging remark made about Mr. Macauliffe and his work which is most uncharitable. It was due to the request of representatives Sikh. Societies in 1893 that he resigned his judicial appointment and undertook a translation of the sacred works. He submitted every line of his work to the most searching criticism of learned

Sikhs and published invitations: in Sikh newspapers to visit, inspect and correct the translation. Giani Sardul Singh of Golden Temple, Bhai Sant Singh of Kapurthala and Bhai Prem Singh of Amritsar, to name only a few, revised the translation and reported about its corrections, His translation apart from being accurate has all the charms of a poetic work and vibrates with dainty rhythm and music as it was revised by a board eminent Sikh scholars of that time. He considered all rational interpretations and selected only those which seemed most suitable to the content and most in harmony with Sikh doctrines. Mr. Macauliffe was nicknamed as “Macauliffe Singh’

  1. Lastly, Giani Manmohan Singh, advocate, accomplished the unique task of bringing out the first complete English and Punjabi translation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in 1962 after 14 years of labor. This was published by the S.G.P.C. During this stupendous work, Giani Manmohan Singh consulted Sikh religion by Macauliffe,

Faridkot Teeka of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Teka by Bhai Bishan Singh Gyani, Shabad Ratnaker by Bhai Kahan Singh of Nabha, Sri Guru Granth Kosh, English version of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib by Dr. Gopal Singh and dictionaries of various languages and descriptions.

He was honored by the S.G.P.C The Chief Khalsa Diwan and other religious organizations of U.S.A and U.K. for his contributions to the world of religious literature and was invited to the World Religious Conference in 1985 and represented the Sikh community.

I have given the translation of Giani Manmohan Singh in my letter May 2, 1986, both in English as well as in Punjabi which is similar to the one given by Mr. Macauliffe,

I respectfully submit that unbiased approach to the explanations of various scholars can be useful but for proper understanding of the Divine Bani, one need to merge one’s being with its Creator.

Amarjit Singh Buttar’

Dear Editor,

The present Plight of Sikhs reminds me the pre-independence days and the popular song “Pagri Sambbal Jatta, Pagri Sambhaal Oey, Lutt Lya Tera Maal Jatta, Lut Lya Tera Maal Oey”, convveying to the Sikhs to take care as they were being cheated out of their honor and their livelihood.

It makes me feel so sad and anguished that I am reminded of Guru Nanak’s complaint to God “Eiti Maar Pai Kurlane Tainki Darad Naa Aya.” In India, our most sacred place has been discredited for two times, one time with the approval of a Sikh President and thousands of our innocent Sikh brothers and sisters have been burnt alive and gang raped in broad daylight, But inspite of all this in United States and other foreign countries, the Sikhs instead of making a unified effort to fight India Govt’ false propaganda are fighting among themselves for President ship of this Gurdwara or Secretary ship of that Sikh organization

Even the World Sikh Organization with such a zeal and unity has failed to accomplish any tangible results. The consequences are that what to speak of making the foreign countries condemn India for the gross human right violations of Sikhs in India, these countries are anxious to help India extend its cruelties to Sikhs settled in foreign countries. England and Canada have already signed extradition treaties with India and U.S.S.A is in the process of drafting one. If the Sikhs keep fighting famous themselves and their public relations efforts continue to remain in the same sorry state, the day may not be far off when many ‘of us might be sent back to India to be killed in false encounters or Jailed for life like our other Sikh brothers there.

So I plead to all the Sikh individuals and Sikh leaders that if they have love and regard not only for the lives and honor of their brethren in India, but of their own families and children here then better stop all the infighting and irresponsible speech making and unite under one banner.

In order to achieve this unity I suggest the following steps.

  1. Being already in existence WSO should be utilized as the vehicle organization for a united World Sikh voice. But in order to rebuild the confidence of the Sikh masses in the WSO, I appeal to is leadership particularly at the international level to immediately publish their past achievements and their future programs or line of action in the World Sikh News or send individual letters to all WSO members. If these leaders feel that they have really contributed and achieved some tangible results and feel they are the best persons to guide the Sikh nations, then they should ask for a fresh vote of confidence. If on the other hand they realize that they are not competent enough to provide the Sikh masses with a really dynamic and charismatic leadership they better step down and let somebody else have the chance. It is better to be an ordinary member of a reputed and successful organization rather than the President or Secretary of an ineffective and unpopular Association,
  2. We should set up a machinery or process to resolve conflicts between rival’s factions in Gurdwaras or Sikh societies. One way could be that whenever a conflict arises, a three or five member mediation or arbitration panel is chosen with equal number of nominees from both sides and one neutral person from the general sangat. Both sides then should abide by the decision of this panel.
  3. In order to back the different Sikh associations under one banner, hold a WSO conference and once again reopen its constant and leadership for a fresh vote of confidence. If some genuine objections against particular clauses of the constitution or the working methods of particular members are brought to notice, they should be rectified in a true friendly spirit.
  4. After that, let all the experienced and educated Sikhs put their heads together and chalk out a program of action of WSO with particular reference to the public relations side and then give this program of action a wide publicity.
  5. Invite dynamic Sikh individuals to take charge or participate in the implementation of the least costly sections of this program within the shortest possible time.
  6. Lastly, publicize the achievements of the Action Program so that more and more Sikhs should feel encouraged to join WSO and then move on to the more costly or more difficult tasks.

I pray to Akal Purakh to grant all the Sikh individuals and Sikh leaders the wisdom and courage to recognize the need of this critical hour.

Yours Sincerely, Daljit Singh Jawa.

Article extracted from this publication >> May 30, 1986