Dear Editor,
On August 27, 1994; a charitable religious symposium was held in the Sikh Temple, Dixie Road, Mississauga. There have already been considerable reporting and commenting in the vernacular media. Through this rejoinder, I would like, as well, to elucidate the greedier aspect, involving a famous Ragi (Hymn Singer).
A few years ago the Late Bhai Devinder Singh, a famous Radio singer turned Sikh Preacher/Ragi, was staying with very close and trusted friends, in East London (England). Ina very intimate mood he mentioned to the family, “Kanwal (Lady Host) today it is the Martyr Day of two young sons of Guru Gobind Singh. I am going to present most heartrending shabads (hymns from the Sikh Scriptures), and narrate their story in most Sympathetic manner. It will make people cry, their hearts will pull their hand towards their pockets, and they will shower the notes on the stage.” The result in the Gurdwara Shepherds bush, West London, that afternoon, was astounding. Perhaps the Sikh Religion’s top most Ragi, Bhai Harjinder Singh Srinagar, visiting North America, right now, is utilizing the same principles.
A few months ago one of a Ragi Jatha (Group of Hymn Singhers) staying at the Sikh Temple Dixie Road, Mississauga clasped with a very severe brain stroke, He had no medical insurance but he was lucky to have the backing of the affluent Sikh Temple. With the help of thousands of pound, paid by the Gurdwara Management Committee towards hospital and medical bills, his life is, no doubt, saved, but unfortunately he will not be able to continue with his preaching work and cam living for his family, wife and three young children. To help him to go back to India to join his family, Bhai Palwinder Singh, Head Priest Dixic Gurdwara, arranged a Keertan Darbar. A number of famous Ragis, visiting Toronto at the time, participated. The contributions made to them by the congregants were, most profusely, denoted by them to Bhai Sirmor Singh, except, however, by Bhai Harjinder Singh Srinagar wale (who was the top of the bill) and Bhai Mohinderjit Singh Delhi wale. Probably, Bhai Hanjinder Singh adopted the principle of Late Bhai Devinder Singh. During his discourse he often reminded people of the pitiable condition of Bhai Sirmor Singh, and the predicament his family would be in, without his income in the future. There was no shortage of tears appearing in the eyes of the congregants, their hands were led to their pockets, and five, 10, 20 and even 50 dollar bills were showered on the stage in front of that Ragi Jatha. Most of the denotes went forward more than once. But the whole house was shocked, bewildered and astonished when the Jatha of Bhai Harjinder Singh took all the collection in their personal bag and left the Gurdwara without dishing out even one cent to poor Sirmor Singh, whose pathetic condition they had exploited to cam such huge undisclosed amount. During his expositions, he impressed the audience with Gun Nanak Day’s hymn:
If one remaineth Detached in the midst of attachments, one attaineth to the (true) state of Yoga.
One becomes not a Yogi by mere talk.
(Suhi M.) Guru Granth Sahib, P.730, Eng. Tr. Dr. Gopal Singh)
But for him the word “Detachment’ has the reverse purport what can be the effect of the teaching and preaching of such high profile clergy?
In the words of Martin Luther, “they (religious men) must first have righteous principles, and then. They will not fail to perform virtuous actions.”
Pritpal Singh Bindra, Mississauga, Ont. Canada.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 16, 1994
