Dear Editor,
With reference to your editorial dated Aug.13th I respectfully submit the following. I regret 10 say that your advice to various organizations not to raise the issue at this juncture when tie Nation is fighting the war for its survival, is too late, The issue is boiling and everyone is so excited that no one is in a mood to listen,
There are certain questions which remain unanswered.
1-What was the need in 1988 to change from official maryada to Taksal Maryada?
2-If and how the Taksal Maryada was essential to achieve Khalistan?
3-Before adoption did the Panth have the opportunity to discuss it and was the approval obtained by the Sarbat Khalsa called at Siri Akal Takhat by Jathedar Akal Takhat for the specific purpose of approval?
4-If the participants at the Sant Samagam held at Ludhiana do observe the Taksal Maryada at their own Deras, Isn’t it a fact that each Sadh Sant or a mahant has its own maryada? How come they become authority on Maryada?
After getting rid of tie horde of various sadh sant and mahants on Gurdwaras a need was felt to have a unified Maryada. In 1934/2 unified Maryada popularly known as Akal Takhat Maryada was prepared after a careful and collaborate discussion on the subject by all the Sikh school airs, representatives of all the organizations and Sikh religious per sons for 7-8 years, All efforts were made to arrive at unanimity. A Sarbat Khalsa was called at Akal Takhal by Jathedar Akal Takhat specifically for this purpose. At which Maryada popularly known as Akal Takhat Maryada was adopted. The Guru Panth had putits official seal of approval and The Panth had its official and uniform Maryada. Till 1986n0 one changed it and no one asked for its revision.
Damdami Taksal and Akhand Kirtani Jatha had its own grouses, They continued to observe theirown Maryada at their deras which was permitted by one of the clauses in the official mayada, But they too recognized the Akal Takhat Maryada as official maryada, It is a historic fact that Sant Gurbachan Singh Bhindranwaleinstructed Sant Kirpal Singh of Damdami Taksal when appointed Jathedar of Akal Takhat to observe the Akal Takhat Maryada only. Even Sant Jamail Singh Bhindranwale respected the official A.T.maryada. He slapped his relative and follower Swaran Singh when He deviated from the official Marvada. After the martyrdom of Sant Jamail Singh Bhindranwale ai Siri Akal Takhat while defending it His Father and Brothers were looked upon as hero’s, during the lifetime of Sant Bhindranwale these people were always at a distance and never shared his views. It is irony of fate that they became leaders of the Panth after his death. Jathedar Jasbir Singh Rode was appointed as Jathedar of Akal Takhat in)1986. He has the full backing of the militants and Damdami Taksal. He arbitrarily replaced the official Maryada with the Damdami Taksal Maryada and thus violated the decision of Guru Panth and sowed the seeds of dissention in the Panth. Out of fear for life or fear for an adverse effect on the Khalistan Movement people were silent. S.G.P.C. did pass are solution which remained on the paper only as the SGPC did not have guts to implement it. It is a bitter truth that militants had become so self-centered that they became immune to any advice.
When Prof, Darshan Singh ex Jathedar of Akal Takhat tried 10 reestablish the A T Maryada he was threatened and declared traitor. Now when Prof, Manjit Singh the present Jathedar of Siri Akal Takhat, on the advice of Dharmmik Salahkar Committee (Religious Advisory Body) is reintroducing the official Maryada He is deemed a traitor too.
My humble request to all is let us not involve personalities in it. Only ‘The Akal Takhat Maryada has the approval of Guru Panth let us follow it.
I agree with Baba Thakur Singh that no one has the authority to make changes in Maryada and hence changes made by Jathedar Jasbir Singh should be deemed as violation of the Guru Panth’s decision and no time should be wasted in establishing the official Maryada: Not only that but also action should be taken according to Sikh traditions for the violation of Guru’s decision.
A word of caution is needed here. The Holding of Sant samagam and appeals for postponing the implementation of Guru Panth’s decision is nothing but a back door effort to block the ratification which should be looked upon as sabotage. If certain people feel that there should be a change they must follow certain procedure called Sikh Jugti and must be approved by the Sarbat Khalsa called by Jathedar Akal Takhat at Siri Akal Takhat Sahib and called for this specific purpose.
Amrik Singh Gill Stockton, CA.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 3, 1993
