In the view of the decision of Gurmat Scholars on January 28,1993 we have refrained from making any comments on the many charges of blasphemy against Sardar Pashaura Singh and Sardar Plar Singh, which have been placed before the Jathedar Akal Takht. But it is extremely unfortunate that this silence is being used by the accused group to denigrate the highest Sikh institution of Akal Takhat and to misstate facts. For example, it is well known to this group that (1) Heads of the Departments of Guru Granth and Sikh Studies, at the Patiala and the Punjab Universities, had both written articles, calling Pashaura Singh’s work to be academic and blasphemous; and, (2) both of them were not only present in the meeting of Jan.28,1993, but also supported the resolutions passed on the concerned issues. Evidently, what has disturbed this group, is the decision of Jan.28, that since the facts and circumstances of the cases, suggested a planned blasphemy, a Committee. of experts should be appointed to go into the entire affair and unearth the other participants of the accused. Hence their attempts to camouflage the issues, so that the truth remains covered. For reasons stated already, at present facts and realities are not being publicized, but will be exposed at the appropriate time.

As clarified by the Jathedar Sri Keshgarh Sahib, what is sought to be stopped, is not any research of interpretation regarding Guru Granth Sahib or the Bani, but blasphemous attacks on its authenticity and integrity, because the same stand authenticated by the Guru himself, Hence, it would be illogical and ridiculous for anyone to claim that he has abuser sense than of the Guru. No one says that there will still not be persons who will make such tall claims or make blasphemous at tacks on the Guru. The tradition to deal with such arrogance has been set by Guru Rai Sahib himself by punishing his own son. Should that tradition be set aside as is being pleaded by some so called academicians and Liberals? What the Guru and the meeting of Jan.28,93 stopped, is blasphemy and not any research.

In the West, too, blasphemy is punishable both by the Church and the Law. Nowhere has blasphemy been over adjudged by academician oral the publicity, an academician is employed on the assumption that he or she would not question or attack the Christian Gospel. guru Granth Departments have been established on the basis that an authentic Guru Granth was given to us by the Guru himself. If that basis is to be questioned, the very rationale for having the Department of Guru Nanak Chairs is knocked out. Of course, there are, and will be persons who will question the integrity of the Gurus and the Guru Granth Sahib, but the fact alone will determine on which side of the line they stand. ‘The entire Criminal Law is based On two assumptions, namely, that man has a free will, and is responsible for his voluntary acts, and that there is an existing standard of public morality. Both of these assumptions are question able. For, there are persons, religious and otherwise, who assert that man is a determined being incapable of free activity, or that public morality is too much of a changing and vague concept to be defined rigorously. And yet no one has ever argued in a court of Law that the accused should be set free and declared faultless, because he or she is as determined as a river flood or a volcano, or that a certain offence is no longer considered objectionable by modem standards of public morality. Dr.Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon Punjab University, Chandigarh.

Article extracted from this publication >>  April 2, 1993