(Provided by: Manjit Singh, Calcutta)

The SGPC offers its regrets that due to certain unavoidable circumstances, it had to postpone the holding of World Sikh Conference. It has been decided to hold it from Sept. 2125, 1995 at the political center, Sri Darbar Sahib complex, Sri Amritsar, under the aegis of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib. On behalf of Professor Manjit Singh, the Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib and S. Gurcharan Singh Tohra, the President of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, a cordial invitation to participate in the conference and render much needed help in the process of arriving at final formulations of the solutions to different problems facing the Panth.

The World Sikh Conference is an important occasion, for the first time in the history of Sikh Panth Sikhs from all over the world will gather together, at a time when the Sikhs are faced with multiple challenges. The Conference, therefore, issue to reach some decisions that will be landmarks in the history of the Sikhs. The Khalsa Panth since its creation in A.D, 1699 has been encountering onslaughts, sometime from religious parochialism, sometime from various vested interests, some from contemporary political powers. The thrust of onslaughts have been the sullying and distorting of the image of the Khalsa Panth. Different governments at different points of time in the history have played havoc with the sentiments of the Sikhs and even have gone so far as to desecrate their senctumsanctorum Sri Harmandir Sahib, and Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, the highest seat of spiritual temporal authority. In this back ground, it is but natural to seek guidance from the August gathering so that such ghastly events do not recur. ‘The Sikhs living outside Punjab in India and abroad have also been facing problems and challenges, though different in nature, By virtue of different cultural environment and belief—systems in alien lands, there is a possibility that Sikh belief systems and value patterns are affected, Also the gap between the old and new generation and its fascination for opulence, constitute a palpable threat to the religious values and self-identity of the Sikhs. It is heartening that the Sikhs settled in distant lands have made commendable efforts to promote and protect Sikhs values and to ensure Panthic solidarity, but their efforts have been disjointed and uncoordinated, There have emerged no bridges of understanding between the Sikhs living abroad and Sri Akal Takhat Sahib and* their apex religious body, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar, The ground is therefore, fertile enough to breed sects, culls and dears, much to the detriment of ‘Not only this, there are other problems equally serous requiring immediate attention. Apostasy among the Sikhs is on the increase. Our youth have grown indifferent to Sikh values, an environment of Sikhs getting delinked from the Sikh institutions prevails today. The concept of Guru Panth is not being comprehended nor is it being heeded to appropriately and adequately.

The fast changing world scenario has forged fresh challenges. The Sikhs have to adjust themselves both at individual and community levels in the context of globalization at cultural and economic levels. An appropriate response has to be fashioned in such a way that it reflects Sikh values and Sikh tenets, for it is our faith that the Panth is the heir to.

In quest of identifying proper responses, the SGPC ever keen to strive for Khalsa Ji Ke Bole Bale and Chardi Kala of the Panth, has deemed it appropriate to hold this world Sikh Conference. The Sikh Scholars, Sikh theologians Sikh intellectuals and representatives of different Sikh Organizations are being invited to gather together to charter definitive course to be followed by the Sikhs so that their self-identity both in religious and political terms is preserved and they have a free atmosphere to play their historical role in reshaping the humankind as a whole. A lot has already been done in connection with the conference. An organizing committee consisting of 14 members including Dr. Darshan Singh and S. Kulraj Singh who are to work as Secretary and Convenor respectively has been constituted. The central theme of the conference ‘Sikhism Today: Challenges and Responses? has been determined. Different issues within the ambit of this theme have also been identified. Different Sub Committees have been formed to take care of different aspects of the conference. You are also requested to send your suggestions in writing or telephonically to enable us to put them before the gathering.

Article extracted from this publication >>   June 9, 1995