Dr.J.Singh stirred a debate by asking some thought provoking questions and urging gurdwaras to take a firm and leading role in addressing some of the vital issues that are innate to our survival and individuality as a community. Langar which has been transmuted’ as a gourmet delight catered by rich and affluent (not served) is one of them. (WSN Oc29, 1993).
It is a tragic irony that gurdwaras the repository of our Faith have been brutally mutilated beyond recognition, it is a sad commentary on the current events of gurdwaras all over U.S.A, The places of worship have become arenas of power struggle, Physical violence and verbal abuse has become order of the day. No decorum and dignity is maintained in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib. Rival parties do not hesitate in launching vicious personal assaults which transport victims to hospitals and ultimately to court houses. We are paying exorbitant sum of money to lawyers to defend us in the courts. American judges are at a loss as how to solve this surge of law suits that the Sikhs have brought against one another. I wish we would find a better and more cost-effective way to educate Americans about Sikhism if this is our intention.
Unfortunately, the real purpose of going to gurdwaras has been clouded. We are cither in a fighting mood or festive mood. Consequent if there are no fighting’s then some festivities are going on, Most of these gurdwaras have aptly earned the title of “Social Clubs of the Sikhs, We go there dressed in our best outfits, bedecked with Jewelry to eat gourmet lunch and chit chats.
Come Vaisakhi and almost all the gurdwaras will be humming with beat of drums accompanied by gidha and bhangra, songs of Malkiat Singh and love lom talks of Heer and Sahiba. I would recommend to those who love their Punjabi culture so dearly to forma Punjabi Cultural Society and beat the drums of cultural survival and revival there. One group organized a romantic musical evening and invited some professional singers of ghazals (they do kirtan as well) to raise funds for Gurdwara. What would be done next beats my imagination.
In this respect, | would like to highly commend the firm stand taken by Guru Gobind Singh Foundation in Washington, DC. Inspite of all nearby gurdwaras actively engaged in converting gurdwaras to social clubs, G.G.S.F. has never organized or endorsed such programs.
Many of our problems stem either from ignorance or egocentricity. Gurdwaras in the west are, in many cases, our only solid link to our roots. People who have been’ here for a long time may be genuinely unaware of the implicit significance of our in but it institutions Pun} Piaras, Sangat Pang at, Miri Pin, etc. For some langar may be lunch only and Gurdwara facility a place for socialization, they have to be shown the right way. In my humble option this job can be best done by the granthi of the institution.
We need dynamic, aggressive, learned, reform oriented granthis with high moral conduct who can guide the course of everyday mis happenings in our community, who can infuse spirituality and instill values in the audience, who can revive the dead spirit of service, who can bring us closer to the fundamentals of Sikhism. If opportunity ever calls for they should be daring enough to challenge the mismanagement.
These religious leaders (granthis) will discover that their lone voice is not a cry in wilderness. If they are true to the spirit of Sikhism, they will definitely need supporters to back them up. Their honest efforts to bring the religious renaissance will be crowned with SUCCESS.
Amrit Kaur Chantilly, VA.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 19, 1993
