Sir,

In the issue of World Sikh News (October 21992) there was an article “Center of Sikh Studies or Blasphemy” by Mr. Sukhminder Singh which provides an un-academic treatment of my Ph.D. thesis. The accusations of blasphemy leveled against me by the author are completely baseless. By Gurus grace 1am a believing Sikh and a loyal one. I must ask your readers to wait for the publication of my thesis as a book when they will be able to read and judge for themselves.

Pashaura Singh

Professor of Sikh Studies

Ann Arbor MI

To our Readers;

WSN delayed publication of Prof. Pashaura Singhs letter in hopes that he would comment on the specific questions that have been raised regarding his scholarship and the accuracy and merit of using questionable manuscripts for his sources.

WSN does not wish to question the faith or depth of religious beliefs held by any of our readers or contributors.

The comments labeling Prof. Singh’s work as “blasphemous” are those of the writer and do not reflect any intent on the part of W.S.N. to personalize scholarly criticism.

-Editor–

Sir,

There was a series of review articles on my unpublished Ph.D thesis “The Text and Meaning of the Adi Granth” (University of Toronto1991) which appeared in the recent issues of World Sikh News These reviews do not respond to my dissertation in a scholarly manner The accusations of blasphemy leveled against me by the authors of these articles are completely baseless. These accusations howsoever emotional are not based on fact.

In my thesis I have established the authenticity of the Karlatpuri as an authoritative text of the Adi Granth compiled by Guru Arjan in 1504. I have also resolved the issue of Guru Arjans two lines in Ramakali raga raised by Dr.W.H.McLcod an issue which was the main focus of Cartarpur Banno debate for the last 17 years. Prior to this no one had provided a satisfactory answer to this question. These glaring omissions in the reviews of my crilies reveal that they had not read my thesis in its entirety as careful researchers would do. Rather they adopted a langentsal approach to my work with a preconceived intention based on prejudice. These reviews hardly provide a fair critique of my thesis thereby losing their academic credibility.

Throughout my thesis I have reiterated that the unity of Guru ship was the main criterion in the making of the Sikh scripture. Guru Arjan carried the spiritual authority of Guru Nanak. In fact he was imbued with the spirit of the founder of Sikh faith All the editorial decisions made by Guru Arjan were valid as if Guru Nanak had made them himself. For me Guru Arjan was fifth Nanak.”

Textual analysis is a recognized discipline in the academic study of the sacred scriptures of world religions. The Sikh scripture is thus an important focus for scholarly inquiry which until now has been rather neglected by historian’s philological theologians and scholars of religious studies. My research is indeed an initial attempt to provide an academic perspective on the text of the Guru Granth Sahib. To understand the issue of variant readings of the Mul Mantar for instance I have used the same techniques that scholars of other major religions use. The early version of the Mul Mantar as recorded in the Goindwal volumes: can be seen on the jacket flap of Dr.Mripinder Singh’s book The Sikh Tradition (Manobar Publications/ South Asia Books 1990) and one can easily sense that the Gurmukhi script was not fully developed when the Goindval volumes were written during the period of Guru Amar Das. 

My observations interpretations and inferences are based on the available data. Other scholars may through vigorous study and analyses provide a different perspective. It is my hope that my work will spot other scholars to undertake further research and bring to the rest of the world the unique features of the Guru Granth Sahib. No single scholars can afford to claim that he/she has found absolute answers to academic questions. The academic techniques are certainly going to be different from those of theologians or traditional scholars. To understand a religious tradition from academic perspective one must follow the established scholarly techniques.

Once again I reiterate my claim that by Gurus grace I am of believing Sikh and a loyal one. I would urge my Sikh brethren to be objective and fair so that they may understand my research in its proper perspective. I am always willing to sit down in any personal dialogue and explain my point of view I have an open mind to learn from other scholars. I would like to assure the readers that the goal of the program of Sikh studies at the University of Michigan is twofold. We seek both to provide second generation Sikh Americans with university-level instruction in their religious and cultural tradition and to make that tradition accessible to the wider now Sikh community This is the only way through which Sikh tradition can take its rightful place alongside other major world religions.

It is my sincere hope that you will publish this letter in the coming issue of World Sikh News and support the principles of fairness reasoned debate and academic freedom.

Pashaura Singh University of Michigan

Article extracted from this publication >> November 27, 1992