Dear Editor:
An Earnest Appeal to The Readers of World Sikh News I was immensely pleased to find out that Professor Devinder Singh Chahal, after a distinguished career as a microbiologist, has decided to dedicate the rest of his life to propagate the true message of the holy Gurbani. Professor Chahal was trained as a scientist. However, due to his devotion and commitment to the Sikh faith, he has been a serious student of Gurbani and other literature about Sikhism. He is eminently qualified to undertake this urgently needed noble project. His column “Understanding Sikhism: An open forum for discussion” will go a long way in eradication of myths based on superstition and ignorance regarding the holy Gurbani and Sikh history. Furthermore, it would stimulate a rational and enlightened dialogue between Sikhs and others interested in Sikhism. The management of World Sikh News deserves applause for making this column a regular feature. I would also like to urge fellow Sikhs to become regular readers of WSN and support WSN through subscriptions and donations.
About a century ago, a British civil servant, Mr. Max Mc aullife pointed out that Sikhs were not Hindus and Sikhism was not a sect of Hinduism. However, Sikhs have been very slow in grasping this message. More recently, Ms. Alice Basarke made a remarkable observation by stating that what the Sikhs consider as their religion is actually their culture which is a Hindu culture whereas Sikh religion is enshrined in the holy Gurbani about which the Sikhs know very wee There could be several reasons: for this situation,. Generally, Sikhs do not have interest in lit erasure. There are not many Sikhs: who have studied Guru Granth Sahib with understanding and vast majority of them have not even seen Janam Sakhis, Da Granth, Vars of Bhai G Rehit Namas, Hukam Names, Rehit Maryada, Suraj Parkash and other literature concerning. Sikh religion which were written by people under strong Brahmanical influence. In some cases these are the writings of those who were inimical to Sikhs and Sikhism. Generally, Sikh preachers and pseudo saints use these texts instead of Gurbani as a source material for their sermons and discourses. However, some of the material contained in these publications is contrary. And offensive to Sikhism. For example, in his recent article, Professor Chahal demonstrated unequivocally that Bhai Bala’s” Janam Sakhi was not prepared under the supervision of Guru Angad Dey. It is the Hand alias who tried top’s Sikh religion and participated as the extermination of the Sikhs.
I appeal to the readers of WSN to read, understand, and analyze professor Chahal”s articles very carefully. Read the original text for comparison, draw your own conclusions and then ‘send your comments to WSN. A rational and enlightened dialogue between professor Chahal and others will help us in understanding the true message of Gurbani
Baldev Singh Collegeville, PA.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 9, 1996
