Below is published the response of Dr. .S Mann to an article by Joseph T. Conell editor of Sikh history and Religion in the 20th century, Toronto, Canada, under the heading “open letter regarding thesis of Dr. Pashaura Singh. The January Issue, Abstracts of
This in reference to I.J Singh’s letter in WSN dated May 21,1993 where he sidetracked the real issue and was unable to answer the questions the Sikh Panth wants to know from those researchers who after 400 years have started seriously claiming that they have discovered Sachi Bani or have greater sense of discrimination than Guru Arjun Dev Ji. But, Sikhs are fortunate that the Sikh Religion is the only religion where a living prophet compiled an authenticated Scripture in order to eliminate all possibilities of mischief, confusion, Or controversy by doing landmark work of sifting all available Bani, excluding Kachi Bani and including only what is Sachi Bani in Guru Granth Sahib. The concept of blasphemy and Ppunishmentcan never change with time. The Seventh Master has already set the doctrine how to handle it m Gurmat tradition to which neither time nor man can change.
Dr.Singh has raised the question as to what the Sikhs think. Pashaura Singh’s thesis has evoked wide spread criticism from all over the world and many Sikh scholars have reviewed it thoroughly and has come with the conclusion that he has challenged the separate Sikh identity by denying its authentic record of revelation based on unauthentic evidence. I would request that Dr.Singh use his influence to publish these articles in a publication of Center of Study of Religion in Toronto or Columbia University, in doing so, such centers of higher learning can be regarded as unbiased, literary, endeavor rather than an apparent hot bed of calumny against Sikhs, by a medium of research.
Along with several not available authors SGPC appointed committee of eight Gurmat scholars and 70 scholars representing all organizations of the Panth and ‘Punjabi & Punjab Universities on ‘Jan.28, concluded that the conclusions drawn by Pashaura direcily attack the Sikh Guru, Guru Granth Sahib which is revered in all Sikh homes and Gurdwaras and his case should be referred 10 Akal Takhat. That’s what the Sikhs think about the issue whether Inderjit likes it or not,
Tam fully aware of the fact that University Professors can do civil OF criminal activity by misrepresenting and misinterpreting the religious doctrines and appreciate Inderjit promoting such a cause. But, he should keep in mind that the every religion has its own religious code and if somebody commits blasphemy, the decision has to be taken according to religious code,
Although Dr.Singh is in possession of critical academic articles he still says that GNDU#1245 needs research when he knows clearly that a very significant feature is its sudden appearance, almost from the blue, on the shelf of an Amritsar dealer, and its purchase by the University in 1987. The appearance of ghost article in 1987 recommending textual criticism and announcing the start of work by western Sikh friends then appears. In 1987, Pashaura takes the subject, it is difficult to dispel the thought that this triple coincidence of events in 1987 has an adverse significance for the authenticity of MS#1245. Thorough physical scrutiny of the manuscript by Drs.Balwant, Piar, Charade Singh, and Gumam Kaur, have shown that it is a work of Meharban group (Meenas), Even the dealer now has confessed its Meharban Antecedents. I will humbly request Dr.Singh or his friends to make a rebuttal academically of those conical articles (15 of them by PHDs),
How the Sikhs attempt should to influence what goes on around them? Fortunately or unfortunately, whatever the case may be SGPC is the only apex body of the Sikhs, who since 1925 has looked after Sikh shrines and religious affairs. The Jathedar of the Akal Takhat is the only Supreme Authority to make final decisions involving Gurmat. Nobody objects to academic research genuine of even faulty, only blasphemy and libel needs corrective action, Sikhs are thinking people, that’s why 29 Sikh scholars gave their opinion which is on record and SGPC and Sikh Universities and all Panthic Organizations did there procedural duty. Now the Jathedar of the Akal Takhat will give the final verdict. What goes on around Sikhs in religious matters is and has been in the past and future only influenced by Akal Takhat, Amritsar. Jasbir Singh Mann M.D. Anaheim ‘Editor’s Note: A list of scholars and their respective Universities is available upon request for those who wish to further research this matter.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 4, 1993
