Sikh Panth has been passing through a critical stage since the destruction of Akal Takhat and the massacre of Sikhs all over India. It may be a significant warning from the Guru. It’s in fact a severe jolt given to the Panth, which had forgotten the Guru’s teachings. The identity of a Sikh is ‘connected with our Bani (Gurmat) and Bana (Form). We have forgotten both We claim that we are better Sikhs, even if we don’t adopt Guru’s form. We hanker after positions to control Gurudwaras.

These days, we find a definite tendency on the part of the present management that Sikh affairs and the present tragic plight of the Sikhs should not be discussed in Guru’s Diwan. The tenth Guru made us NIARA-unique by giving us unique form, but those who disown Guru’s form try to become custodians of Gurdwaras.

Next week, we will be celebrating the birth of the Khalsa. Unfortunately, at many places, including here, the celebrations will be marred by the tensions caused by elections. Each year the tension increases.

The system of elections breeds sunethical politics and unwarranted criticism by one candidate against the other, which brings disharmony amongst us. We humbly submit to the Sadh Sangat who might have voted for us that we are compelled to resort to boycott of the elections although we are extremely grateful to many of them ‘who would have supported us.

Therefore, we, the undersigned candidates for the forthcoming elections, boycott this election system and humbly suggest to the sangat to unanimously nominate any three representative true Sikhs who can give proper lead to the Sikh Religious Society.

Reasons we are Boycotting the Election:

  1. The contest is not amongst Sikhs subscribing to ‘Bani’ & ‘Bana’.
  2. The vast majority of voters ‘come once a year to Gurdwara— the day of the elections and do not represent the Sangat.
  3. There is block system of voting and there is every likely hood that the elections may not be fair.
  4. There are no specified qualifications of a board member.
  5. Elections split the community and thus hinder the panthic cause and unity.
  6. We are confusing sewa with Haume—EGO (KURSI)

Jasbir Singh ‘Jagdisher Singh Surinderpal Singh Mahanbir Singh

Article extracted from this publication >> April 18, 1986