TOPEKA,KANSAS: Keeping in view the growing problem of many differences among Sikh Sangats in different gurdwaras which have many times led to violence and costly legal battles, a group of dedicated neutral Gursikhs have peacefully resolve these differences. From now on any Sikh Gurdwara or any Sikh institution in America, which finds itself in the middle of a serious conflict which may or already has resulted in violence or legal battle, can call this group to help in resolving the differences peacefully in accordance with Gurmat and applicable laws. From Now On there is no need for the Sikh Sangats To Waste Their Time, Energy And Resources by trying to Resolve their differences through Violence Or Costly Legal Battles.
The services of the group are entirely voluntary and will be offered only when both sides of the conflict ask for the services in writing. These services can be for the purposes of (1) mediation, (2) arbitration. In the case of mediation the representative of the group will try to bring the two sides closer and help resolve the issues. But it is entirely up to the parties to reach a compromise or not. In case they do reach a settlement it shall be reduced to writing with signatures from both the parties and the group’s representative, so that parties stick to their agreement, in case of arbitration, after hearing both the parties and collecting necessary evidence the representative(s) will render their decision which will be final and binding on both the parties. For this purpose a written affidavit will be procured from both the. parties before proceeding on to arbitration.
In order to maintain the neutrality and impartiality, all the expenses incurred by the group’s representatives will be done by the representative up to his/her own capacity. If it involves expenses much more than ordinary in that case the expenses will be shared by all the group members.
Following is a provisional list of Sikh gentlemen/ladies who have already taken their vows to protect justice & human rights by receiving Guru’s Amrit. Further as per their general reputation they hold a certain degree of neutrality and sense of fair play and have not committed any of the four “Kurehats” as mentioned in Sikh Rehat Maryada. However it may be clarified that even though the representative(s) of the group are Amrit Dhari Sikhs, they are duty bound to render all their recommendations or decisions absolutely in accordance with Gurmat and applicable laws even if their decision goes against the party led by Amritdhari Sikhs or their friends/ relatives.
If anybody has any solid evidence against the neutrality or the conduct of these persons, please contact the coordinator within a month of this news, so that appropriate investigation/action could be initiated. After that all those names against whom no complaints have been received and who have signed a pledge of neutrality and have not violated their oaths taken at the time of Amrit will become final. In the meantime if anybody likes to suggest any additional names of Gursikh gentlemen/ladies who are willing to provide this much needed service to Sikh Panth and who meet the qualifications indicated above may contact the coordinator immediately.
The provisional list of persons who have agreed to provide their voluntary service is as follows:
- S.Amarjit Singh Buttar-CT.
- S.Amolak Singh-CA.
- Dr.Balwant Singh-MISS
- S. Gurdarshan Singh-D.C.
5.Dr.Gurbakhash Singh-D.C
6.S.Harminder Singh Jassal-D.C
7.S. Hari Singh Everest-CA.
- Gyani Harbhajan Singh-NY
- Dr Kuldip Singh-OH
10.1 Singh-NY
- S. Sandeep Singh ChhabraMASS
- S.Surinder Pal Singh Kalra-IL
13.S.Manmohan Singh -CA
14.S.Sukhmandar Singh-CA
15.Dr.Prithipal Singh-MO
16.Dr Surinder Pal Singh Mac-NC
17.Dr Kanwaljit Sethi-D.C
- Mrs. Rajinderjit Singh-N.Y
19.Brig Sangat Singh Syali-N.Y
20.S.Surjit Singh-KS
21.S.Daljit Singh Jawa-KS.
It may be clarified that the above named persons are not in any way self appointed judges or leaders. Rather after great persuasion they have agreed to offer their services to help the Sikh Sangats and Gurdwaras avoid violent scenes and costly legal battles which bring bad name not only to the concerned Gurdwara, but also to the whole community and even turn off our coming generations against Sikh Religion. It may also be clarified that this committee/group will be more than willing to cooperate/ unite with any other organization which is already providing such service or may do so in future and if it appears in the best interest of Panth to join hands with them. The committee will also be open to any sincere suggestions for enlarging the scope and objectives such as increasing cooperation/ coordination among Gurdwaras and sharing common lecturers and Kirtimi Jathas In the end we pray to Waheguru to help us live like brothers and sisters and help us resolve our differences through mutual love and understanding and help us invest our resources and energies for the betterment of our Sikh Panth rather than wasting these in unworthy fist fights or costly legal battles.
Daljit Singh Jawa
Topeka,KS
Article extracted from this publication >> January 20, 1995
