CHANDIGARH: The five-man Panthic Committee (Dr Sohan Singh) dissociated itself from certain “irresponsible meaningless and absurd Statements” made under the garb of the social reforms movement
In a press note issued here the committee said these Statements had been issued by certain so-called federationists who could be easily identified. While certain government elements had infiltrated this movement many among “our militant brethren have also become active in giving a wrong direction to the movement to win cheap popularity” in the name of Sikh tenets.
The committee said neither it nor the five militant outfits working under it had anything to do with threats being issued to consumers of eggs and meat closure of their shops writing threatening letters cutting the plates of Punjabi sisters or forcing them to have only a single plait or forcing them to wear only a particular dress putting a ban on Punjab’s magnificent cultural Heritage giddha and bhangra or issuing “orders” to sing only certain songs and poems issuing threats to ban a particular language forcing press correspondents to publish all sorts of statements hurting the sentiments of a particular community or pouring scorn on them and putting a ban on tuitions.
On the contrary the committee felt that the time had come to start a fight against such stunts The committee also had nothing to do with the statement regarding tying or untying of beards. Certain so-called federationists and militants were trying to spoil the atmosphere through such a statement. “We may have a direct confrontation with them any time” it warned.
The committee did not wish to interfere in the personal affairs of any individual. It respected the independence of thought and the freedom to live in any way one liked. Addressing itself to fellow militants who were also engaged in their common Struggle it asked them why they were concentrating their struggle on issues that would make a mockery of Sikh tenets.
The committee however said it would like Punjabi sisters to wear a dress that would enhance the states culture. Its experience was that by wearing salwar kameez and covering the head with dupatta she showed respect to her elders. “But if you have been bedazzled by the West if you like to wear jeans and a top and do not wish to cover your head and if you have discovered some big truth in such a dress then Panthich Committee will like to request you to visit in this dress the villages haunted by the souls of your elders. You should also see the delicate phase through which your brethren are passing. You should search your conscience and enlighten us about your role in the Khalsas struggle for freedom. Only then will you understand the real significance of the dress.”
As regards the dress code for school children the committee said it was allowing the heads of institutions to introduce the new dress from the next academic session. The five militant outfits working under it had been directed to ensure implementation of the decision from the next academic session only. If certain so-called militants issued any threats they should be identified and exposed. The morning prayers in schools it said should include one or two shabads but not more than five. As far as Christian and Islamic schools were concerned they could select a shabad of their own scriptures. But Sikh students in these schools would have to wear salwar kameez and dupatta. As regards the medium of instruction in Christian schools the committee would take a final decision in consultation with missionaries.
The statement was signed by Dr Sohan Singh Bhai Wadhawa Singh Bhai Mahal Singh Bhai Satinderpal Singh and Bhai Har mandar Singh Sultanwind.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 25, 1991
