Dear Editor

This is in reference to “Letters to the Editors” Section of the World Sikh News (WSN) dated May 13, 1994 (Page S English section) There was an article entitled “Shi Akal Takht Sahib is the ultimate religious & temporal authority of the Sikhs.”

I feel obligated to remind you that this was the only letter that did not have the name of the writer. The writer/author should not be Afraid to indicate his/her identity unless the sole purpose of his/her Writing is simply too muddy the water and confuse the readers affecting his/her objectivity as an unbiased writer.

It is important to bring the facts of the attention of all the readers because there were several misleading statements in the subject article. We have always kept the position of Sri Akal Takht Sahibat the highest esteem and the question about who respects more can only be addressed with the facts. No Sikh would like to see the name of Si Akal Takht Sahib tarnished and misused for anyone’s personal benefit. We all are responsible to maintain the good name of Si Akal Takht Sahib. Sikh Foundation of Virginia’s issue of “a forcible take over” by a handful of individuals was unnecessarily taken to Si Akal Takht Sahib.

There were several letters exchanged between Respected Jathedar Singh Sahib Prof. Manjit Singh Ji and the resident Granthi of Sikh Foundation of Virginia (SFY) Giani Kuldeep Singh Ji. The initial communication was very appropriate where Singh Sahib asked Giani Kuldeep Singh Ji under certain guidelines to mediate the unfortunate situation at SFY. It was these individuals who did not accept the proposals that were presented by Giani Kuldeep Singh Ji. Instead one of them threatened Giani Ji that his involvement is a contempt of Court Order and subsequently filed a motion in the Count against Gian Ji (The fact of the matter is that they manipulate the facts and use Count Order if it benefits them Whereas they believe the Court has no jurisdiction when it does not suit them As an example they are holding Dewan based on same Court Order If they honestly believe that the Court has no jurisdiction why did they accept the Decree of the Court to hold Dewans based on the sant e Decree It is ironic that these individuals have filed more than half a dozen motions in the same Court although they Say Court has no jurisdiction

It is worth mentioning that members of this group tried to take over the management of Sikh Foundation of Virginia by resorting to illegal means and in doing so mercilessly beat several trustees including myself while I was trying to save my husband from the clutches of six (6) unscrupulous and deadly people who were about to kill my husband in the Gurdwara Sahib. After a thorough police investigation four of these individuals including their Coordinator have been convicted by the Circuit Court of Fairfax Country for their violent crimes and received Judgement which has included jail term fines payment of medical expenses for the victims and the community service (a copy of the Commonwealth of Virginia Attorney’s letter attached).

In the last paragraph of the article “Ad-Hoc Committee of the Sikh Foundation of Virginia like all other devout Sikhs “’simply makes a mockery for a Sikh does not.

call Kirtan “Bakwas” when a Kirtani Jatha is reciting Shabad Kirtan in the presence of Sri Guru

Grinth Sahib.

* threaten any one that he would be beheaded if he entered the Gurdwara

*extort money from a handicapped child.

* bet up other Sikhs in front of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

*drag a woman by her hair in the Gurdwara Sahib premises “obstruct justice by telling known aggressors and offenders that they must take off their turbans and lie down on the floor and pretend that they are victims.

*manipulate facts to suit himself / herself.

Attempts have been made by the members of this group in misusing every Sikh religious tenet to their advantage and now the last one is the improper use of the name of Sa Akal Takht Sahib. You be the Judge as to who respects Sri Akal Takht Sahib. Mrs Gurmit Kaur Springfield VA

Article extracted from this publication >> May 27, 1994