A Critical evaluation of the PH.D. Thesis of Pashuara singh entitled “The Text and Meaning of the Adi Granth” by Dr.S.S Kholi, was earlier published in WSN. Upon further research, Dr. Kholi provided WSN with the following revision to the original article Editor.

Here also he (Mr Pashuara Singh) has tried to prove that Guru Arjan refined the language of certain passages and polished the meter. While writing about the concluding shaloka of Japu he says that traditionally this shaloka is understood to be Guru Nanaks own composition but there are scholars who regard Guru Angad as the real author. Along with this he has made a very obnoxious suggestion: “Guru Nanak may have initiated his successor Bhai Lehna into the poetic skill of verse composition in the literary form of a shalok and the training may have been a part of his designation to the office of guru ship. The two Gurus may have worked together on the text of the epilogue of the Japji and accordingly both may be regarded as its joint authors.”

Another marvel that has come to our notice is the reference of the researcher to an article of Dr.C.H.Loehlin entitled “The Need for Textual and Historical Criticism” in his Bibliography. This article was published in “The Sikh Courier (Spring-Summer 1987). The actual article of Rev. C.H.Lochlin entitled “A Westerner Looks at the Kartarpur Granth” was published in the Proceedings of Punjab History Conference (First Session dated November 12-14-65). A rebuttal of this article entitled “A note on Kartarpur Granth” by the eminent Sikh Savant Bhai Jodh Singh was published along with the above mentioned article in the same Volume. If we have a close look in Loehlins article published in 1965 and then published in “The Sikh Courier” in 1987 and later on published in “The Sikh Review” again in its March-April 1990 issue we find additional material after the actual article of Lochlin of about 90 lines in “The Sikh Courier” (a London Journal) and 100 lines in “The Sikh Review “(a Calcutta Journal). This addition is the same in both these Journals The article is published under the name of C.HLoehlin. Dr.Lochlin presented himself his article personally in 1965 in the Punjab History Conference. He passed away on August 271987 at the age of 90. He resided in West Minister Gardens Presbyterian Retirement Community Center in Duarte CA from 1981 till his death According to the catalogue (Memories of West Minister Gardens) of all the academic papers published by the residents of the above facility during their stay Dr.C.Loehlin did not publish any article during his stay at the above facility. Now the question arises as to who has tampered with the actual article of Dr.Lochlin published in 1965 and sent the additional matter along with the actual article to “The Sikh Courier” in 1987 under Dr.Lochlins name? The title of the article has been changed from “A Westerner Looks at the Kartarpur Granth” to the “Need for Textual and Historical Criticism.” It was in 1987 itself that our researcher Pashaura Singh started his research in Toronto under the supervision of Dr.McLeod and the Guru Nanak Dev University Manuscript No.1245 was purchased in the same year at the end of March which was made the basis of his Textual Analysis. We have every reason to believe that all this is the work of a clique with which the researcher is associated. The additional matter contains such blasphemous and obnoxious statements.

“If the problem of the Adi Granth is so acute much more so than of the 10th Granth is. Who wrote it? How really was it compiled? What is its authentic text? What is the purpose of its various books? The Adi Granth is not given an exclusive preference over the bani of Guru Gobind Singh. Western friends of Sikhism and the Sikhs likewise have noted this lack of critical interest on the part of the Sikhs. Fortunately many of their scholars and research experts are doing research on textual and historical problems.”

The Sikh scholars and research experts mentioned in the above quotation can be none else than the members of the above mentioned clique. We do not understand how the editors of the prestigious Sikh Journals like “The Sikh Courier” and “The Sikh Review” could publish such blasphemous material which has been deliberately introduced in order to rake up new controversies regarding the well-established Revelatory Character of the Sikh Scripture and mislead the faithful adherents.

The researcher has willfully indulged in an irreligious exercise and act of blasphemy knowing full well as a Sikh the sentiments and beliefs of his own people. He has been given a wrong advice in selecting an undated manuscript Which is unauthentic and has no locus standi Many of his statements about the Gurus and their works are ill-conceived and ill considered. They are illogical assumptions. A great disservice has been done through this research. The Sikh religious institutions should take note of such blasphemous works which try to demolish the spiritual foundation of their faith.

Article extracted from this publication >> November 6, 1992