Dear Editor,
The controversy tried to be initiated by S, Sunt Singh over the name of God Almighty in his letter WSN di Mar 28 is unfortunate unproductive and, in fact, un-called for, It is neither important what name you give to God, nor whether or not it is in agreement to the views of Bhai Randhir Singh or anybody else; because, firstly, the Sikh nation, as a whole, presently is confronted with a much gigantic problem and should be more concerned to tackle more serious knots, like question of their political, ‘economic, social, spiritual and even physical survival than fight over the name of God. Secondly, the father of our nation Guru Gobind Singh ji, has categorically said in his Jap Sahib that God has NO name and that we remember Him by His attributes which are as countless as the names that He is remembered by all over the world,
He is fathomless and you comprehend Him only as per your individual capacity of apprehension. He is Omni-potent, omni-present, formless and yet real and truthful. He is manifested by his virtues and is felt and appreciated by His ‘omnipotence’, being the ‘creator of everything that we can and cannot see, feel or understand, “All those numberless prophets, Sears, Saints, Bhagats, Gurus, who have been always nearest to the God who have been to this Universe and those who will be this world over in future do only praise Him, as best as they could, for His qualifications, virtues and merits as envisaged by them. They have tried to contain their praises and ideas in their millions of Holy books for the benefit of the mankind; but this, according to their own admission, Covers but a fraction of His unlimited marvels.
I think I have a bit been carried away from the point. The point is that the controversy is, to my mind, the most unwarranted one, as there is hardly any point of argument. God is formless and ‘nameless’. You can remember Him by any name that pleases you best. It does not matter a bit to Him so long as you do remember Him sincerely, devotedly and honestly. He likes you to keep Him in mind ‘and heart all the time, in whatever way and by whichever name that may be convenient to you, for your own solace and salvation
After all why do we have name. For purpose of recognition and identification. We give name to persons because of their ever multiplying number. We also give name to various countries, states, towns, streets, rivers, seas for the same purpose. But there is no name for this universe. There is no name given to Sun, Moon, Stars for there is no problem for their identification or inventory. Each one of them its own kind and so is God. There is but one God, the self-existent creator of Himself and everything else with no rival and parallel, Moreover, one has to be a little apart/above a thing that is to be named, A son does not name his father nor does he name himself, so how can we expect any name for God. God is our father, ‘and we being His children are not justified in arguing over His name.
Narendra S. Chopra Denver, Colorado
Dear Editor,
With eight governors (two after the infamous attack on the Golden Temple and demolition of the Akal Takhat and desecration of the 40 Gurdwaras) and an equal ‘number of police chiefs (3 after the June 4 1984 black day) Punjab ‘continues to be tom in violence worse still, Now it has taken the shape of sectarian killing, Will someone with intelligence, maturity and administrative experience tell the Prime Minister of Indira that at the governmental and police chief changes will never get the more desired peace in the state? The lasting peace can only be achieved in the Indian Govt. negotiate with the real leaders of the Sikhs like Simranjeet Singh Mann and lock up the Barnala Govt. in the docks and punish them for their crimes against the people,
‘Amarjit Singh Buttar
Dear Editor,
Often there is considerable discrimination and harassment against Sikh officers in the army at the hands of their superior Hindu Commanders. Result is, some have been fired for no fault of their own and the process is still continuing with a vengeance,
Those at the helm of affairs forget that such persons when thus discharged from the army will only swell the ranks of those fighting for the rights of Punjab and further provide leadership for a difficult and complicated situation in the state, Such an attitude on the part of Hindu officers smacking of sectarian high handedness is unfortunate particularly when the army chief, General Sunderji, high regards for the bravery, courage, ‘outgoing and practical nature and devotion to duty of Sikh soldiers and in the interests of the wellbeing of the country such an attitude of vindictiveness and utter disregard for fair play should be curhed with a strong hand. Balwant Singh Buttar
Article extracted from this publication >> April 11, 1986
