Sir,
It is sad when Sikh institutions which are supposed to project the true image of Sikhs and Sikhism themselves unwittingly become the tools of Propagation of false beliefs rituals and customs which have been vehemently condemned by the founders of Sikh religion. Please allow me to draw your attention to World Sikh News.
Over the last several years we have noticed advertisements by various organizations and individual’s displaying pictures of our Gurus for the celebrations of Gurpurbs the recent one on page 7 of World Sikh News dated Dec.141990. I am not in the position to comment on the intentions of the advertisers of these pictures or the motives of the artists who created them but I have two objections to the display of the pictures. First to my knowledge the real portraits of the Gurus and their contemporary Sikhs do not exists Second these pictures are becoming objects of veneration not only among the ignorant and gullible Sikhs but also among the educated and so called Gursikhs In some Sikh families these pictures have taken the place of those idols their ancestors use to worship. The futility of icon worship is emphasized again and again throughout the pages of Guru Granth Sahib. Don’t these advertisers of these pictures read Gurbani with understanding? If not then they are indulging in “Karm Kand” which is also devoid of spiritual values according to Gurbani.
About a century ago the heroes of Singh Sabha Movement fought an uphill battle to eradicate Brahminical practices among the Sikhs. Idols vanished from the Gurdwara’s as well as Sikh homes. In recent times on the other hand Sikh artists like Sobha Singh knowingly or unknowingly have played into the hands of those who want Sikhs to follow the traditions of their idol worshiping ancestors so that they can claim that Sikhs are a Kesadhari branch of Hinduism. I have seen Sikhs who may have revulsion at the thought of worshiping a statue have no compunction in paying homage to the portraits of Gurus created by Sobha Singh. In the end appeal to all Sikhs to be aware of the present day Brahmins (Bhais Ragis and Kathakars) and Masands (people who control Gurdwara’s and Sikh foundations).
N.K. Singh
3 Blue Mt. Trail E. Greenbush N.Y
Article extracted from this publication >> January 4, 1991
