Editor:

The responsibility of any media is to be fair, precise, accurate and unbiased. World Sikh News as an international newspaper has as imilar responsibility to adhere to journalistic principles. The Sikh community of North America looks towards WSN to provide Sikhs living throughout the world factual information. Articles on the incident at the Sikh Foundation of Virginia were also published in the Washington post and other local community newspapers: these newspapers published reports, with views from all parties. We expect the same from WSN.

Let us first make it very clear, there is no conflict between the Sadh Sangat and the SFV management. The assessment in the article is incorrect. For more than a decade, SFY has been managed in a most befitting manner: SFV Constitution and By Laws government all its operations. In a short period, with Tan, Man and Dhan, the Sikh community of the Washington area has built this Gurdwara Sahib; SFV volunteers operate a Punjabi School for the Sikh children; hold educational seminars on issues relevant to the Sikh community. In accordance with the Sikh tradition of giving, SFV has also been active in local community services. The creation of Panj Piyaraas by Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji was the most pious concept. According to Rehat Maryada, the Panj Piyaraas in today’s society are carefully selected through a democratic process. Each member is approved unanimously by the Sadh Sangat in the presence of Sn Guru Granth Sahib. The Panj Piyaras mentioned in your article were not ‘Selected democratically; they were the Sikirginia, Yet, on May 15, 1993, the SFV members met with them under a very tense environment. Then on May 16, Dr. Balwant Singh, as a member of the visiting Panj Piyaras spoke to the Sadh Sangal and suggested:

*The local Sikh community must unite and congregate as a united body

*The Organization has a role and we would adhere to its rules and regulations

*The local Sikh community must resolve the conflict in a manner acceptable to all

Dr, Balwant Singh condemned the April 8 beating of the congregation attendees in which four men and a lady were mercilessly as saluted. The SEV members are concerned by the fact than, on May 16, 1993 Dr. Balwant Singh made the above recommendations and, later on, Mr, Buttar came up with his own set of recommendations which he distributed widely. The SFY members are committed to resolving this conflict locally; however, we have nun unto a road block, as the other group refuses to work within the norms of society and established democratic principles. Their approach is intimidation and violence. The fact is, since mid1992, a small group of people have at tempted to take over SFV as a Organization, so that they can use Gurdwara facilities for their agenda. On a number of occasions, through defiance and intimidation, they have disturbed the sanctity of the Gurdwara Sahib. On March 28, the SFV General Body Meeting was forced to be adjourned because of disturbances created by this group, Most recently, on April 8, these individuals staged a premeditated assault on members of the congregation in the Darbar Hall during the evening Kirtan diwan, These individuals did not even spare the main Darbar Hall stage where the Parkash of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is held. The diwan could not continue, In light of the situation, Gianiji was forced to hurriedly do the Sukhasan, without Anand Sahib, Ardas and Sohila ji Path. Are these acts consistent with the Sikh teachings? Certainly not! In the WSN anicle, SFV Bylaws are labeled as the “problem,” These Bylaws were approved and accepted by the members of SEV. A majority of the existing SFV Board members were not involved in drafting the original Bylaws. Two ex-Board members, who kept the bylaws intact during their terms as trustees suddenly have begun to challenge the validity of the Bylaws. We believe that their personal drive to continue to play a decisive role, is exploiting the emotions of the Sangat and is the root cause of the conflict

SFV management openly sup ports the process of amendments to the Bylaws, as advocated by SFV members, these amendments shall follow a duly recognized universally accepted organizational process, which is consistent with the basic Sikh philosophy of democratic principles and rights. The question before us today is: will this group let us operate SFV as a organization in a: democratic manner?

Sincerely, The Members of SFY

Article extracted from this publication >>  July 9, 1993