Editor,
The effort of the “Panj Pyaraas” to resolve the conflict at the Gurdwara Sahib, Fairfax Station, Va. is laudable. With this act the Pyaraas involved have hit home the following messages for all the Sikhs living in the West; Instead of any non-Sikh methods, the institution of the “Panj Pyaraas” is the real Sikh way of our conflict resolution.
We need to revive this extraordinary institution in case we have any desire to become a sovereign and dignified religion in our new settings. Unfortunately, intoxicated with our newly found wealth in the West, we have lost sight of the very basic Sikh approaches which have guided us in our problem solving through the centuries of our existence. Today we are more interested in grabbing or hanging on to the Gurdwaras “Chowders” by hook or by crook rather than the maintenance of the dignity, sovereignty and respect of the Sikh faith and its principles.
To the embarrassment of our own community, and the embarrassment of our non-Sikh police and judiciary, we have developed a tendency to call them in (with bags of community money to be wasted) at the drop of a hat.
Haven’t we been left with enough intelligence to do better than that? Why have the decisions made by the non-Sikhs in our Sikh matters become acceptable to us, while the decisions made by our very own esteemed institutions like the “Panj Pyaraas” are not? Is it a sign of our religious, intellectual and political bankruptcy?
Very humbly, I would like to request every Sikh and every Sikh Organization to ponder this.
Regarding the recommendations made by the “Pyaraas” in the Gurdwara Sahib, Fairfax Station Va. conflict, it seems to be a fair package for both the parties, Therefore I would like to request all of my brothers and sisters involved in this conflict to rise above their disputes and accept the recommendations in the wider interest of the Sikh Community especially the recommendations for the immediate withdrawal of the case” from the non-Sikh courts and the removal of the non-Sikh police from the Gurdwara premises, This will be a real step on our “way to Our real Sovereignty.” Kirpal Singh Nijher Painted Post, NY.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 9, 1993
