In Gurdwaras the so-called Sants. Raagis, preachers and Sikh politicians often narrate irrelevant and unfounded stories along with the perverted Gurbani to justify the perversion to brahmanize Sikhism. Unfortunately nobody from the executive or from the sangat (congregation) takes courage to stop the propagation of perversion of Gurbani and citation of unfounded stories. Because it has been implanted in the minds of the sangat that it is not Sikh-like to ask question to the Sants and the Raagis. When sangat cannot ask questions to remove their doubts and misconceptions then it becomes one way communication. Then the subject being presented in the Gurdwara is either incompletely or wrongly understood by the sangat. Until and unless a subject is presented by keeping both lines of communications open it will not be helpful in understanding the subject. Once I asked a question from a Raagi (after the Diwan because during Diwan one cannot ask questions, the present practice) he refused to answer my questions on a plea that I had not attained that spiritual level he had attained by taking Amrit. This is a common reply when such Sants and Raagis cannot answer a question. It is also often quoted by these Sants and Raagis that to hold Ph.d or any other high degree means nothing to study religion. Religion is entirely a different field of study unrelated to modern science or any other known fields. They profess that to reach a certain spiritual level tens of years of continuous recitation of Gurbani is required, whether Gurbani is understood or not it doesn’t matter. It is a pity that such persons even cannot imagine that a very sound knowledge of modem science and other fields is essential to understand the real perspective of Gurbani. Mere recitation of Gurbani without understanding will lead nowhere (For more information see reference # 15).

In some Gurdwaras nobody except Amritdhari Sikhs can recite the AGGS and nobody other than Amritdhari can speak from the dais or even distribute parsad or langar. However, according to Rahit Maryada of SGPC any Sikh has the right to do that. Unfortunately the definition of a Sikh given in the Rahit Maryada is not understood properly by these Amritdharis. (For more information on definition of a Sikh see reference # 16.) The above action of the Amritdhari Sikhs is just an equivalent to Brahmanism according to which only Brahman can recite Vedas or mantras to non Brahmans. Some of the Amritdhari Sikhs even don’t cat any thing, if prepared or served by a non-Amritdhari. It appears that such Amritdhari Sikhs look at nonAmritdhari Sikhs as equivalent to the sudars (low caste). They are the worst persons than the Brahmans because at least Brahmans cat sarahds or other bhojans from non-Brahmans without any hesitation

Akhand Paths (recitation of AGGS without any interruption) has become a fashionable socio religious function for most of the Sikhs and a profitable commercial enterprise for the pochis (who recite AGGS), Rangis (18), and for the management of Gurdwaras. The irony is neither any member of the host family nor any member of the sangat finds more than an hour to listen out of 48 hours of recitation of the Gurbani. Moreover, recited Akhand Paths are also available in some Gurdwaras, especially at Darbar Sahib, Amritsar in case of emergency for the Sikh tourists visiting India for

short limo Bhai (Dr) Harbans Lal (19) quoted Bhai Kahn Singh in his article about the Institution of Gurdwara as follows: “The author (Bhai Kahn Singh) sincerely offers his prayer before the Akal Purkh (God) that time may soon come when we see virtuous persons like Babba Budha, Bhai Gurdas, Saint Almust (?). Bhai Kanhya. Mahant Gurbakch, and Bhai Mani Singh as Custodians of Gurdwara so that Nanuk’s message can reach every where in the world.”

What do the readers think about the situation explained above? Is it not the Gurdwara whore degeneration and brahmanization of Sikhism are going on, although there are many other avenues, c.8. Publication of books chapters in various books, articles in Journals, weeklies, dailies; in news on TVs, and specially prepared documentaries and serials for TV.

When all the facts given above are considered it becomes very clear to me that the executives of most Gurdwaras in particular and the sangat in general are unaware of the real meanings of Gurdwara and its principles. Or the executives are deceiving the Sikhs sangat intentionally.

Article extracted from this publication >> January 27, 1995