Dear Editor, This is in reference to S.S, Mann’s article in WSN, dated Feb.26, 93. It is an ill-assorted mixture of a school masterly lecture on a subject which is not in dispute and an ignorant or a deliberate attempt to confuse the issue and mislead the public, as explained by the Jathedar Sahib, what is stopped is not research, but blasphemy or any claim that he or she is wiser than the Guru. The fact is that the heads of the Departments of Religious Studies, Patiala University and the Punjab University, Chandigarh, have both published statements that Pashaura Singh’s thesis is blasphemous, The world over blasphemy is dealt with cither by the Church of the religion, the law of the land or by both. The Committee of Experts of the SGPC recommended that Pashaura Singh should be dealt with both under the Sikh religion and by the law of our land, the tradition to punish blasphemy was laid down by the Seventh Master when he banished his own son Ram Ral for altering one word of Gurbani, No one can deviate from that tradition. To follow the tradition is to follow the Guru. Blasphemy, being offense under the law, every Sikh or Sikh institution has a right to complain about the offense in a court as well, never has blasphemy or fat that matter, any crime, been discussed or decided on a public or academic platform.

The recommendation of the Expert Committee was discussed in detail on January 28, 1993 by representatives over 70 in number of: Patiala University, Punjab University, Guru Nanak Foundation, Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, Chief Khalsa Diwan, Damdami Taksal (both sections), the SGPC, the Delhi Gurdwara Committee, U.P.Sikh Pratinidhi Board, Kendri Singh Sabha, Taruna Dal, Sewa Organization, Institute of Sikh Studies, Exprincipals of Gurmat College, The Sikh Missionary College, and many others. Unanimously the recommendation of the Expert Committee was endorsed, Although representatives from the UK and Canada including S.Arjan Singh, who had sponsored Pashaura Singh were present, no one said a word in defense of Pashaura Singh even while the Chairman suggested that views could be expressed for or against the writer.

Let it be known that it is a misstatement that any of the critics of Pashaura Singh or their helpers applied for a job at Michigan, In fact, his critics have consistently opposed the very concept of the study of Sikh Hermeneutics, theology, and its doctrines by proxy. For, nowhere in the world has any religion, instead of doing its primary duty of study and exposition of its system, through its own institutions, entrusted that work to others. Otherwise, we should get products of the type being dealt with, and the suggestion that we should not follow the tradition set by the Seventh Master to determine blasphemy, but appoint a Committee of foreign experts to judge blasphemy against the Sikh Gurus, The very demand and defiance of Gurus’ tradition should open the eyes of the Sikhs about the intentions and objectives of Pashaura Singh and his helpers, Otherwise, he should abide by the process laid down by the Sikh tradition.

What is offensive, is blasphemy and not research, In fact it is the lamentable lack of scientific methodology that has led Pashaura Singh to his irrational, illogical and blasphemous conclusions. We do not want to give the details of Pashaura Singh’s blasphemous conclusions because the matter is under the consideration of the, Takhat. However, the facts, case will be shared with the in the next issue of the of journal “Abstract of Sikh Studies, “Published by Center of Sikh Studies, Warner Avenue, Santa Ana, California.

Can Dr.Sukhbir Singh help vide the following academic servation which the young S: scholars promoted by him fall answer: ’

1) When and how they came across GNDU manuscript #1245 and where it was before 1987 and its authenticity.

2) Who published articles under authorship of Dr.Loehlin in 1987 and 1990 in Sikh courier and Sikh review when he was invalid ¢ dead, respectively; suggesting Western friends of Sikhism and the Sikhs likewise, have noted this lack of critical interest on part of the Sikhs. Fortunately, many of their scholars and research experts are doing research on textural and, historical problems.”

Hope Waheguru will give strength to Sukhbir to respond to the real issue rather than sidetracking.

Jasbir Singh Mann, M.D. Whittier, California

Article extracted from this publication >>  March 12, 1993