Tuhady Patar (Your Letter)

siqkfrXog igafnI joigMdr isMG jI jQydfr (ik syvfdfr ?) akfl qKLq sfihb aMimRqsr.

1- inmrqf sihq bynqI hY ik, imqI- 22 julfeI 2000 qoN afrMB ho ky dfs ny quhfnUM ijMnIaF vI icTIaF ilKIaF AunHF ivclI hr dlIl gurU sLbdF dy aDfr qy, (quhfzy vloN jfrI hoey sMGrsL ivc jUJdf) inrMqr ilKdf af irhf hF. afp jI dI sLfn nfl sbMDq koeI vI bcn dfs ny inwj miq nfl nhIN sgoN sdf gurU sLbdF dy aDfr qy inrol gurUmiq anusfr hI iliKaf hY. eyhI kfrn hY ik, dfs dIaF AunHF icTIaF dI scfeI qoN Gbrf ky, aQvf mjbUr ho ky, afpxf Auh "guriblfs pfqsLfhI 6" gRMQ, ijs dI punr sMpfdnf bVIaF afsF AumIdF BrIaF pMQ ivroDI swDrF dI pUrqI leI inwj miq dI ivAuNq nfl Aucycy qOr qy qusF iqafr krky iswK jgq ivc sugLfq vjoN vMzxf afrMB kIqf hoieaf sI, afpxy Aus prm-ipafry gRMQ nUM vfps lYx dy afdysL qF aKLbfrF ivc CpvfAuxy qusF Jwl ley sn, pr "GtIaf sLbdfvlI" vrqx df dUsLn dfs qy kdy nhIN sI lfieaf. hux imqI 10-5-2003 nUM ilKy hukmnfmy dy hvfly nfl aKLbfrF ivc CpI KLbr ivcly ienHF bcnF pRqIN "s: gurbKLsL isMG kflfaPLgLfnf ny pMj isMG sfihbfn dy afdysL nUM axizwTy krky Aultf sRI akfl qKLq sfihb dy isMG sfihbfn iKLlfPL afpxy imqI 6-5-2003 dy pwqr ivc "GtIaf sLbdfvlI" vrqI-" dfs jo kuJ ilKxf cfihaf Aus dy ivcfr qoN ihrdf ies kfrn ivsLysL pIVf mMn irhf hY ikAuNik, Auprokq bcn pMjF isMG sfihbfn ny bVIaF dIrG ivcfrF AuoprMq ajyhy hukmnfmy qy ilKy hn ijs Auqy quhfzy pMjF hI isMG sfihbfn dy pfvn pivwqr hsq awKr hn . ies ivc koeI sMdyh nhIN hY ik, "ies hukmnfmy ivcly Auprokq bcn vI imqI 23-12-2002 dy hukmnfmy vFg hI, afpxy asl QfAuN inKyV ky vrqy hoey, BulyKf pfAU iek duKdfeI "JUT" qoN vwD hor kuJ nhI hn. imqI 23-12-2002 qoN jfrI kIqy hukmnfimaF dI rOsLnI ivc ivcfiraF dfs dy mn df ieh sLMkf hor vI pwkf ho igaf hY ik, ies pMjvy hukmnfmy ivcly Auprokq bcn vI inrol bdlf lAU rucI aDIn dfs nUM bdnfm krn dI XojnF aDINn hI ilKy gey hn. so, ies aqIaMq duKdfeI dy siQqI kfrn ieh inmfxf inqfxf dfsrf hyT ilKI cnOqI ilK Byjx qy mjbUr hoieaf hY jI:-

cnOqI;- pMj isMG sfihbfn vflI pMc-prmysLvrI pMcfieq dy muKI, hy isMG sfihb igafnI joigMdr isMG vydFqI jIE! sujfn gurmuK swjxf df ieh inrxf ik, ijs kutl mMqv dI pUrqI leI qusF bcn bdlIaF-rUp pRqwK hyrf PyrIaF nfl JUT qMdF df eyzf duKdfeI qfxf qixaf hY, Aus gmMqv dI pUrqI qoN quhfnMU sfzf koeI vI cfrf rok nhIN skdf . iPr vI "jb lg sfs qb lg afs"-khfvq anusfr, jy afp jI dy pfvn pivwqr vjUd ivc scfeI nfl aKIaF imlfAux dI jLrf vI dlyrI ajy bcI hoeI hY, aQvf jy ajy qusIN scfeI aqy inaF df iqafg pUrn qOr qy nhINN kIqf qF imqI 6-5-2003 vflI Auprokq icwwTI (ijs df ijLkr qusF afpxy hukmnfmy ivc kIqf hoieaf hY), nUM aKLbfrF ivc CpvfAux dI dlyrI kr ivKfAu. sujfn pfTk afp hI inrxf kr lYxgy ik, ikhVI iDr afqmk mOqy mrI inrol JUT-ivDIaF dy shfry mnmuKqfeI dy "pUrny" pf rhI hY . siqguurU gRMQ sfihb jI vloN inrMqr iml rhI icqfvnI:-"

aMqir kptu mnmuK aigafnI rsnf JUTu bolfie ] kpit kIqY hir purKu n BIjY inq vyKY suxY suBfie ] dUjY Bfie jfie jgu prboDY ibKu mfieaf moh suafie ] iequ kmfxY sdf duKu pfvY jMmY mrY iPir afvY jfie ] shsf mUil n cukeI ivic ivstf pcY pcfie ] ijs no ik®pf kry myrf suafmI iqsu gur kI isK suxfie ] hir nfmu iDafvY hir nfmo gfvY hir nfmo aMiq Czfie ]2]{512}

2- ivsLysL bynqI:-aprYl/meI 2003 ivcly amrIkf dysL dy dOry smy dfs dy hmdrdF vloN (isLkfgo, nIAUXfrk, sYnhOjLy afid) QfvF qy kIqI ieh bynqI -'kflf aPLgLfnf nfl eyQy hI gl kr lvo' qusF ieh kih ky rwd kr idqI sI ik qusIN kyvl sRI akfl qKLq sfihb ivKy hI gl kr skdy ho. quhfzy ies bdlf lAU BfvnF gRsy ijLd-vqIry qoN duKI hoey kuJ gurmuK swjxF ny quhfzI ies bydlIlI ijLd nUM pUrf krn dy ivcfr nfl dfs gurbKLsL isMG leI hvfeI jhfjL ivwc lyitaF hI Bfrq dI PyrI dy pRbMDF df KLrcf Brn df PLYslf kIqf hY. pr ies jLrUrI kfrj dI sPLlqf leI afp jI nUM vI KulH idlI vrqidaF ijnF gwlF df pfbMd rihxf pYxf hY AunHF df krmvfr vyrvf ies pRkfr hY jI:- (A)-KLrcf Jwlx vilaF gurmuK sjxf dy vIzIAu kYmry vfilaF dy smyq s: gurqyj isMG jI, jnrl nirMdr isMG jI (AuGIaF gurmuiK pMQ drdI hsqIaF jo imqI 10 PLrvrI 2003 nUM afpxy sYNkVy sfQIaF dy nfl quhfzy drsLnf dI AuzIk ivc sfrf idn bYTy rhy pr qusF dUroN dUroN pujIaF sMgqF nUM lMgr pfxI dI syvf qF kI puwCxI sI, ahMkfr dI tIsI qy bYTyaF ny qusF AunHF pqvMqy gurU-BfeIaF nUM PLqyih qwk bulfAux dI loV vI nf sI smJI), ivdysLoN pujx vfly dfs dy sfQIaF dy aqy dysLI ivdysLI pqrkfrF dy huMidaF sRI akfl qKLq qy prkfsLmfn siqgurU gRMQ sfihb jI dI hjLUrI ivc, dfs nfl (kyvl quhfnUM aqy dfs gurbKLsL isMG nUM bolx dy aiDkfrI imQ ky) KuwlHIaF ivcfrF, krnIaF svIkfr krn df bcn, aqy-(a)-ikAuNik dfs nUM hvfeI awzy qy hI igRPLqfr kr ilaf jfxf hY, ies leI jLmfnq hox qk dy smyN nUMM muwK rKwidaF 10 julfeI vflI pysLI dI qfrIKL vDfAux dI prvfngI afid, sB kuJ ilKqI rUp ivc Byj idAu" aqy- (e)-kiQq GtIaF sLbdfvlI vflI imqI 6-5-2003 dI icTI aKLbfrF ivc qurMq CpvfeI jfvy. ienHF Xog mMgF dI prvfngI AuprMq dfs afp jI dIaF sfrIaF swDrF pUrIaF krn leI sRI akfl qKLq sfihb ivKy hfjLr hox leI bcn-bwD huMdf hY jI-

3- pMjF isMG sfihbfn smyq iksy nUM vI ieh nhIN Buwlxf cfhIdf ik, vzI qoN vzI pdvI df jlfl vI dUijaF dy mnF-ihridaF ivc pdvI mfx rihaF pRqI, swcy siqkfr dI Bfvnf pYdf nhIN kr skdf. pdvI qy bYTy ivakqI dy inwjI sLuwB guxf dI bdOlLq hI afm lokF ivc siqkfr dI BfvnF jnm ilaf krdI hY. gurU PLurmfn-"ibKu sy aMimRq Bey gurmiq buiD pfeI]""jy sRI akfl qKLq qy bYTy pMj isMG sfihbfn "gurmiq buiD" vfly aMimRq-meI jIvn qoN swKxy hox qF AunHF pRqI drsfieaf sfrf adb-siqkfr kyvl JolI-cuwkF vflf JUT ivKfvf aQvf hAumY nUM pwTy pf rhI inMdf-quwl ibvrijq "Ausqiq" hI hY--gurU PLurmfn-"Ausqiq inMdf doAU ibbrijq qjhu mfnu aiBmfnf ]"{1123} sMq sUrimaF dy pMQ ivc swcy gurmuK inafkrF vflI aqy aMimRqmeI jIvn jugq dI jLrUrI loV nf smJI jfxI, awjokI vzI pMQk-bdiksmqI bx cuwkI hY.

sMsfr dy kyvl mfqR sFJy siqgurU gRMQ sfihb jI dy, kdy inafry rih cuwky KLflsf pMQ dI guafc rhI afBf sMbMDI kuJ jLrUrI gurmiq ivcfrF awzry pwqr ivc ilK Byjx dI afigaF cfhuMdf hoieaf, ies jodVI pwqr nUM ilKx smy hoeIaF BuwlF dI iKmf mMgdf hF. gurmiq anusfr jIvn bqIq kr rhy gurmuKF dI crn DUV- (cldf)

ieh pRkfsLn pMjfb ivc lfpqf hoey lokF bfry qflmyl kmytI vwloN bIqy smyN dOrfn pMjfb ivc hoeIaF mnuwKI aiDkfrF dIaF Gor AulMGxfvF bfry arMBI geI pVcol dI PfeInl irport df pihlf Bfg hY. ijs ƒ rfm nrfiex kumfr, amrIk isMG, asLok agrvfl aqy jskrn kOr ny iliKaf hY. ies irport ƒ jfrI krn df AuWdm nv-giTq ‘pMjfb ivc lfpqf hoey lokF dy pirvfrF dI sMsQf’ (A.F.D.P.) aqy mnwuKI aiDkfrF bfry sfAUQ eysLIaf Porm (sPLr) vwloN sFJy qOr ’qy kIqf jf irhf hY. pMjfb ivc lfpqf lokF dy pirvfrF dI ieh sMsQf BivwK ivc iensfPL dI lVfeI ƒ awgy vDfAux leI vcnbwD hY. ‘sPLr’ jo dwKxI eysLIaf ivc mnwuKI aiDkfrF aqy sLFqI dI sQfpqI leI kMm krdI hY, ies irport dI pRkfsLk hY.

irport dy ies Bfg ivc aMimRqsr ijlHy nfl sbMiDq AunHF 672 lokF dy ivakqIgq aqy rfjsI ipCokV dI ivsQfr sihq jfxkfrI pysL kIqI geI hY, ijnHF ƒ pMjfb pulIs ny jF qF lfvfrs aqy axpCfqy kih ky JUTy muukfbilaF ivc mfr idwqf sI jF iPr lfpqf krn qoN bfad gupq qOr ’qy mfr idwqf sI. ieh sfry kys 1984 qoN 1994 dOrfn vfprIaF GtnfvF AuWqy aDfirq hn. sI[bI[afeI[ vwloN suprIm kort dy afdysL AuWqy kIqI geI jFc qoN bfad pysL kIqI geI irport ivc iehnF sfry 672 kysF df ijLkr hY. sI[bI[afeI[ dIaF iqMn ilstF ivc pCfxy gey, arD pCfxy gey aqy axpCfqy krfr idwqy gey kul 2097 lokF ƒ lfvfrs aqy axpCfqy krfr dy ky pulIs vwloN gLYr-kfƒnI qOr ’qy aMqm sskfr kIqy jfx df ijLkr hY. sI[bI[afeI[ dI ies irport qoN bfad suprIm kort ies nqIjy ’qy phuMicaf sI ik "mnuwKI aiDkfrF dI bhuq hI vwzy pYmfny AuWqy Gor AulMGxf hoeI hY." suprIm kort ny ies mfmly dy aprfDk pwK dI jFc df aml sI[bI[afeI[ ƒ jfrI rwKx df afdysL idMdy hoey ikhf sI ik sI[bI[afeI[ afpxy kMm dI pRgqI bfry hryk iqMn mhIinaF bfad irport pysL krygI. suprIm kort ny pIVqF ƒ muafvjLf dyx aqy mnwuKI aiDkfrF dy AulMGxvF dy hor sfry pwKF df kMm kOmI mnwuKI aiDkfr ƒ sONipaf sI. suprIm kort ny ikhf sI ik muafvjLy leI idwqf igaf kOmI mnwuKI aiDkfr df koeI vI PYslf srkfr mMnx leI pfbMd hovygI. suprIm kort ny ieh vI spwsLt kIqf sI ik ies mfmly dI jFc dOrfn kOmI mnwuKI aiDkfr kimsLn AuWpr mnwuKI aiDkfrF bfry aYkt dIaF sImfvF dI bMidsL nhIN hovygI ikAuNik kimsLn suprIm kort dy inrdysL AuWpr kMm kr irhf hovygf.

6 sfl bIq gey hn. kimsLn dy sfhmxy suxvfeI aDIn ies mfmly ny ajy qk koeI vI kihx-Xog qrwkI nhIN kIqI hY. kimsLn ny ajy qk iek vI pIVq pirvfr dy pwK ƒ nhIN suixaf hY. sI[bI[afeI[ vwloN aprfDk pwK dI jFc kIqy jfx dI pRikRaf iks siQqI ivc hY? ies bfry kuJ vI spwsLt nhIN hY. sI[bI[afeI[ vwloN hr iqMn mhIinaF bfad idwqI jfx vflI pRgqI irport df kI bixaf? ies bfry vI koeI jfxkfrI nhIN idwqI jf rhI. dsMbr 1996 ivc sI[bI[afeI[ vwloN jFc qoN bfad pysL kIqI geI irport ƒ ieh kih ky ajy qk gupq rwiKaf hoieaf ik "ies ƒ pRkfsLq krn nfl mfmly dI aglyrI jFc ivc rukfvt pY skdI hY." sI[bI[afeI[ dI jFc dy irkfrz ƒ vyKx qoN bfad kOmI mnwuKI aiDkfr kimsLn Kud ies iswty ’qy pwuijaf hY ik mnwuKI aiDkfrF dIaF AulMGxfvF dy ies msly dIaF ax-KuwlHIaf prqF ƒ smJx aqy inaF dy aml ƒ awgy qorn leI ies irkfrz qoN jLrUrI mdd nhIN imldI. kimsLn kol afpxI koeI ajLfdfnf jFc eyjMsI nhIN hY. ieh hux qk dI siQqI hY. ajokI siQqI ƒ dyKdy hoey aqy pMjfb srkfr qy kyNdrI srkfr vwloN ies mfmly ivc inaFiek juafbdyhI dy iKlfPL aKLiqafr kIqI pujIsLn ƒ dyKdy hoey, ies irport ivc pysL kIqy gey qwQ, sbUq aqy AuhnF dy kfƒnI ivsLlysLx df kOmI mnwuKI aiDkfr kimsLn ƒ Pfiedf AuTfAuxf cfhIdf hY.

irport dy vwzy ihwsy ivc pysL kIqI geI jfxkfrI pIVq pirvfrF vwloN Kud ibafn kIqIaF XfdF AuWqy aDfirq hY, jo hux qk ies mwudy ’qy cwl rhI ivafpk bihs qoN bfad vI sfhmxy nhIN af skI sI. isDFqk aqy pUrv-DfrnfvF ivc vMzy jf cuwky smfj ivc mnwuKI aiDkfrF dI sQfpqI df ies qoN ielfvf hor koeI qrIkf nhIN ho skdf. ies irport ivc kyvl pIVqF df mnwuKI ichrf hI sfhmxy rwiKaf igaf hY. lfpqf lokF bfry qflmyl kmytI ny afpxIaF sImfvF ivc rihMidaF pUry pMjfb ivcoN 1703 kysF dI ivsQfrq jFc kIqI hY. iehnF ivcoN 889 kys kyvl aMimRqsr ijlHy nfl sMbMDq hn. iehnF 889 kysF ivcoN AuhnF 672 kysF dI jfxkfrI irport dy ies Bfg ivc pysL kIqI jf rhI hY, ijnHF df ijLkr sI[bI[afeI[ ny afpxI irport dIaF iqMn ilstF ivc kIqf sI aqy ijnHF dI kOmI mnwuKI aiDkfr kimsLn vwloN jFc cwl rhI hY. kmytI vwloN jFc kIqy gey aMimRqsr ijlHy dy bfkI 217 kys aqy pMjfb dy 16 hor ijilHaF nfl sMbMDq 814 kysF dI jfxkfrI aqy ivsLlysLx irport dy dUjy Bfg ivc pysL kIqf jfvygf.

ies irport df muwK mksd mnwuKI aiDkfrF dIaF AulMGxfvF dI punr-sQfpnf aqy BivwK ivc dubfrf aijhIaF GtnfvF nf vfprn dy tIcy nfl juiVaf hoieaf hY. mnwuKI aiDkfrF dIaF AulMGxfvF dI kƒnI aqy qwQF ’qy aDfirq shI jFc, pIVHqF dy duwK ivc smwucy smfj dI BfeIvflI, pIVHqF dy aiDkfrF dI punr-sQfpnf aqy jLurm qy aiDkfrF dIaF AulMGxfvF iKlfPL iek smfijk soc dy pYdf kIqy ibnF iksy qrHf vI srkfrI sMsQfvF dy kMmF ivc suDfr dI afs nhIN kIqI jf skdI. mnwuKI aiDkfrF dIaF AulMGxfvF pRqI jvfbdyhI kyvl inaF dy njLrIey qoN hI jLrUrI nhIN, sgoN ies qrHF dIaF GtnfvF dubfrf nf vfprn, smfj pIVqF aqy AuhnF ƒ pRysLfn krn vfilaF ivc nf vMizaf rhy aqy inaF nf imlx dI hflq ivc dubfrf ihMsf nf AuqpMn hoey, ijhy KLqry qoN bcx leI vI aqI jLrUrI hY. pr mOjUdf siQqI ƒ bxfeI rwKx aqy scfeI AuWpr prdf pfAux vfly lok ieh kihMdy hn ik scfeI dI shI jFc nfl aqy mnwuKI aiDkfrF dIaF AulMGxfvF dy punr sQfpnf dI pRikRaf srhwdI sUby ivc ztIaF hoeIaF surwiKaF PorsF aqy pulIs df mnobl zygx df kfrn bxygI. ieh JUTI qy ibmfr-idmfg qoN AupjI dlIl hY. pMjfb pulIs dI kul nPLrI 80,000 dy krIb jvfnF aqy aPLsrF AuWpr aDfirq hY. iehnF ivcoN ijLafdfqr lokF df ies qrHF dy axmnwuKI mfmilaF nfl koeI sbMD nhIN hY. bhuigxqI pulIs vfilaF df aijhy iGRxq aprfDF nfl koeI sbMD nhIN. ieh qF muwTI Br aijhy aPLsrF qy AunHF dy sfQIaF df kMm sI, ijnHF ƒ Kfs qOr ’qy ieho ijhy aprfD krn leI cuixaf igaf sI.

pMjfb ivc bIqy smyN dOrfn vfprIaF mnwuKI aiDkfrF dIaF Gor AulMGxfvF dy pIVHqF ƒ iensfPL idvfAux aqy kOmI mnuwKI aiDkfr kimsLn awgy suxvfeI aDIn lfvfrs aqy axpCfqIaF lfsLF dy mwudy dI kfƒnI pYrvfeI leI pIVHq pirvfrF ’qy aDfirq jQybMdI ‘pMjfb ivc lfpqf lokF dy pirvfrF dI sMsQf’ Association of Families of Disappeared in Punjab (AFDP) df gTn kIqf igaf hY. ies jQybMdI df gTn dysL qy ivdysL ivc mnwuKI aiDkfrF dI sQfpqI leI XqnsLIl jQybMdIaF aqy sKLsLIaqF nfl slfh-msLvrf krn qoN bfad kIqf igaf hY. ieh iek rijstrz sMsQf hovygI ijs df mYNbr hryk Auh pirvfr bx skdf hY ijsdf pirvfrk mYNbr ipCly smyN dOrfn jF qF pulIs hwQoN agvf krky lfpqf kr idwqf igaf hovy jF iPr JUTy pulIs mukfbly ivc mfr idwqf igaf hovy. afrMB ivc jQybMdI dI hfeI kmFz iek pMj mYNbrI gvrinMg-kmytI hovygI. dysL aqy ivdysL ivc mnwuKI aiDkfrF dy Kyqr ivc srgrm AuWGIaF sKLsLIaqF ƒ ies jQybMdI dy slfhkfr borz ivc ilaf jfvygf. gvrinMg-kmytI slfhkfr borz ivcoN do mYNbrF ƒ kfrjkrnI df mYNbr inXukq kr skdI hY. pIVq pirvfr df hryk mYNbr jnrl hfAUs df mYNbr hovygf.

Birmingham - Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer has contested Kirpal Singh badungar and Joginder Singh Vedanti's claim that Patna Sahib has no authority to issue Hukamnamas.

(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer, with 40 books on Sikh Studies to his credit, has written four books on Akal takht Sahib and is former Director of Sikh History Research Board & The Sikh refrence Library)

"I have read the staement of Mr badungar and Vedanti ji with surprise. Here, I am not explaining the concept of a "Takht" and "Hukamnama" but I will deal with the question whether Patna sahib can issue Hukamnama or not. All the confusion has arisen because the Akali leaders and the caretakers of Akal Takht do not know even the concept of Akal Takht Sahib and Hukamnama. They consider Akal Takht a seat of mere Sikh political authority (polity) whereas it is much more than that.

Badungar and Vedanti Ji's statement that Patna sahib can not issue Hukamnama is incorrect. If caretaker (wrongly called Jathedar) Akal Takht Sahib can issue (so-called) Hukamnama then Patna Sahib and Hazur Sahib too can issue so-called "Hukamnams". There are precedents also. In 1914, a Hukamnama was issued by Hazur Sahib asking initiated (Amritdhari) Sikhs not to wear Kirpan of less then one foot length. In 1984 too Hazur Sahib and Patna Sahib issued Hukamnamas excommunicating Zail Singh and Buta Singh from panth for their role in attack on darbar Sahib and Akal takht Sahib in June 1984. At that time no Aklalio leader said that Hazur Sahib has no authority to isse such a Hukamnama because it suited to them. Now it affects one oif their leaders; hence it is wrong.

In fact the issuance of Hukamnama is a very unique phenomenon and it should not be done as it has been done in the past three decades. Moreover, a single person or 5 persons (usually they are simple priest-employees of the SGPC; hence, usually, puppets in the hands of the president of the SGPC) has no authority to do so. It should be issued in very exceptional circumstances and that too through Sikh national procedure, i.e. sanction of Sarbat Khalsa.

In fact, simple leaders of the Sikh Panth are simply ignorant about the concept. They have declared 5 Takhts; whereas it is against basic concept of Takht. I have explained it in my book "Akal Takht Sahib - Falsfa Te Twarikh" (Punjabi edition of year 2000, Singh Brothers Amritsar). See 3 chapters: Sikhan De Takht Kinen Han, Akal taklht sahib da Akhauti Jathedar & Hukamnama.

Wah Gur Ji Ka Khalsa Wah Guru Ji Ki Feteh !

Dear ,
Greeting From Pakistan!

I am sending you some information of Gurudawara at Rawalpindi, I hope you would like it to know.

Gurudwara Narankari at Rawalpindi

This is historical Gurudawara is in Narankari Bazaar of Rawalpindi in fact the Narankari sect was born in this very place. Bhai Dayal Singh was the founder of this sect. Bibi Ladki, daughter of the treasurer of Deshmesh (Tenth Guru), gave him birth on 15th Vissakh Samvat 1840 (1783 AD). His father was Ram Sihai who was a resident of Peshawar.

Bhai Dayal Singh went to live with his maternal uncle Mulakh Singh in Peshawar after his mother Bibi Ladki had died at the age of thirty. He was married again to Mula Devi of Bhera, and had 3 sons from her namely Darbara Singh, Bhara Singh and Ratta Singh. Dayal Singh used to recite the word "Narankar" and opposed idol worship. His companions too where Narankari as such his followers came to be called Narankari. This Gurudwara become the center of Narankaris. Bhai Dayal Singh died on 18th Magh, Samvat 1911. The Samadh of Baba Ji is on the left side of the darbar. There is a small foyer in front of the Samadh and room adjacent to it is Manji Sahib, built in marble, where Palki (carriage) of Guru Granth Ji was kept. The Kesari (saffron) Nishan Sahib (flag) used to be hanging basic Prakashasthan is in a spacious hall facing Manji Sahib. Langar is close to it. There are many rooms to the residence of Sangats. It is a 3-storeyed building with a big courtyard. There used to he a volume of Granth Sahib in his Gurdwara written in Samvat 1842. This volume had one extra verse (Shabd) of Namdev Ji whose first line read:

"Sat Sainandar Jandi hey karni dhrt jaka baito"
The marriage ceremony of Bhai Bhola Singh and Bibi Nihal Kaur was solemnized in 1855 in this Gurudware with great pump and show.

A Sikh by the name of Boota Singh used to perform Kirtan here. Once he started Kirtan after drinking wine and he was physically pushed out of the darbar. He went to Murree and established a new darbar. Boota Singh belongs to Attock. He died in Murree due to leprosy. Autar Singh of Peshawar, a baker by profession was his follower. The wave of fake Narankaries initiated from him. A battle between Fake Narankaries and Guru's Sikh took place at Amritsar in Visakhi on 13th April 1978. 13 Singh died in it. Khalistan movement led by Sant Jarnayl Singh Bhindranwala emerged from the waves of this blood. This war is still going on and it is estimated that 160, 000 have already down their lives fro this movement. The Indian army attacked Harmandar Sahib with tanks, guns and air force. As a result of this Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi was killed as a consequence of the attack.

At present a boy's school is functioning in this Gurdwara. The building is in a dilapidated condition can become a heap of dust any moment.

Gurudwara Singh Sabha at Rawalpindi

This Gurdwara is located in the famous Raja Bazaar of Rawalpindi. It was the center of Akali Sikhs double storey building of Gurdwara Sahib is very big and beautiful. The rooms for pilgrims, Langarhall and Prakashasthan are very elegant. Beside of agriculture land, shope inside the city are endowed to this place. Presently a Govt High School is functioning in this place.

Gurudawara Bahi Mani Singh at Rawalpindi

This sacred darbar is located, in the sarrafa Bazaar of Rawalpindi. This sacred shrine, constructed memory of Bhai Mani Singh, is a double storyed building. The building is beautiful and strong. Langarkhana and residential rooms are beside the Prakashasthan. A Govt School is functioning in this building these days.

As I understand Gurbaani, Guru Sahibaan had treated all human beings as equal and with respect without any distinction of caste, class, status, gender, region, etc. There should not be any restriction for any person whether youth or old or ladies. If any wrong practice is in vogue whether at Darbaar Sahib or any other Takht Sahib, it must be revoked as Guru Sahibaan did during their life span. At the same time all the bipar rituals should be stopped because Sikhs are not supposed to imitate Hindu rituals viz. Banaras/Kanshi/Jagannathpuri or any mandir. Please keep gates open to all including women. If following timings are considered, all can easily participate in Seva/Kirtan/Paath - During summer - April to Sept. from 5 AM to 9.30 PM During winter - Oct to March from 6 AM to 9 PM Kirtan & Katha of the "Asa ki Vaar" should start at 5-30 after the Parkash of Guru Granth Sahib. Also tell the Guru Khalsa Panth who & why oppose seva by Ladies. Any such reference in Guru Granth Sahib or in the Sikh Reht Maryada (SGPC) ?

An ordinary member of the Guru Khalsa Panth,
Gurmit Singh (Australian Senior Citizen)

TV DEBATE BETWEEN
SARDAR GURTEJ SINGH
AND
GURCHARANJIT SINGH LAMBA
ABOUT KALA AFGHANA TO BE TELECAST ON TUESDAY, 20TH MAY, 2003 AT 9.30 PM (IST) AND ON WEDNESDAY MORNING AT 09.00 AM (IST) AT ALPHA PUNJABI TV KHABARSAR PROGRAMME.

Thanks for your valuable information. But billion dollar question - to whom to protest? The same chandal choukri who don't know the significance of "Hukamnama" from the Guru Granth Sahib. When they themselves do not follow the Gurbaani in Guru Granth Sahib and the Sikh Code of Conduct why to approach them? Let us ignore them and continue to read the said books. If I know your full address, I too wish to send one booklet in anticipation of similar 'fatwa' !
Wish you all the best and much more.
Gurmit Singh (Australia)

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Waheguru JI Ki Fateh

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
"Everyone has the right to the freedom of opinion and expression; this
right
includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive
and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of
frontiers."
Also check www.article19.org

The ban on books of KalaAfghana is a clear violation of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights Article 19. How can the Sikhs not respect the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which has defended thousands of them
(asylum seekers) facing persecution from the Indian Government?
Let us all protest against such a ban.
Feel free to download these books from http://gurbani.sadapunjab.com and
www.kalaafghana.com

Guru Fateh
Jasvinder Singh

Why should the Sikhs defy the Akal Takhat?

Is the Akal Takhat functioning on principles of Sri Guru Granth Sahib?

The Akal Takhat has been an important throne for giving directives to the Sikhs. The question is of practice standards. The practice standards have to follow the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The people who have to maintain these practice standards are the Jathedars. The Jathedars as per Prof. K.S. Badungarh are hired and fired by SGPC and SGPC is controlled by Akalis and Akali’s are power hungry and under pressure from the Central Government. So you can figure out for yourself what is the status of the word of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in all this.

A scholar sends the drafts of his books to the Jathedars at least a year before publication, seeking direction. Did the scholar get any direction from the Dharam Prachar Committee, the answer is ‘No’ was their any fault finding in the books over the years, the answer is ‘No’ again. The charges brought against KalaAfghana have been baseless. Nowhere has he defied the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

It is prevalent that a decision from the “Akal Takhat is ultimate” then - why was the videoconference with KalaAfghana not held to this Badungarh had said that they did not want to change the tradition but bringing the Chapati machine in the langar is keeping the Sikh tradition of langar. What a joke?

- Parkash Singh Badal was summoned to Akal Takhat by Jathedar Ranjit Singh but never showed to date so was Badal declared Tankhaya, the answer is ‘No’. Is this the same Takhat where Maharaja Ranjit Singh even had to seek forgiveness. Why has Badal been an exception. We know in the Akali unity campaign Badal to eyewash people will show up at the Akal Takhat and will do it together with Tohra. This is defiance of practice standard of equality. Why are there different rules for different people?

- The Chairs in Langar Hukamnama was a big joke. How can we justify that chairs in Langar were bad tradition and Chapati Machine in Langar is good tr adition. There are numerous other examples of nonsensical Hukamnamas

- When Sri Guru Granth Sahib clearly states equality for women then why have the Jathedars not been able to resolve the Seva at Golden Temple issue. Because the Jathedars are there to please their employer i.e. SGPC, keeping the word of the Guru is not their job.

- In 2000 the Jathedars isuued a directive to stop open debating on the Dasam Granth topic. It has been 3 years, what is taking so long to reach a decision what is not clear about Dasam Granth. There is no way that it was written by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. They will not resolve this issue because " Kabio Baat Bananti Chaupaye " is from “Triacharitaar” where bulk of the pornographic charittars are and this has been part of Amrit Sanchaar so if they do not accept Triacharitaar then they will have to exclude Kabio Baat Bananti Chaupaye. If they accept Triacharitaar for “..Bananti Chaupaye” then they have to justify all the pornographic charittars as being creation of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

The ten Gurus conveyed the same message; their message is now there for us in the form of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Every Sikh has to listen, understand and implement the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Our center for direction is under vested political influence so to expect fairness from Sri Akal Takhat Sahib in this day and age is a mere dream. Until dignity, honesty and fairness is brought to the Akal Takhat there is no reason to follow its directives which are not in accordance with teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

The political environment has gotten so bad that all one can expect is the control of our Akal Takhat by Mahants. The publication of Gurbilas Patshahi 6 which was compiled by Vedanti and endorsed by 14 panthic gems including Jathedar Kewal Singh, Manjit Singh and Ranjit Singh why was no action taken against the 14 panthic gems just because they were politically important. And it is O.K. for an Akali leader / SGPC member to knowingly distort the Sikh history through release of this book Gurbilas Patshahi 6 and guess what the timing of release of this book by SGPC was April 1999. This book was originally compiled in 1718 by Mahants and it is the basis for our current Maryada. It is shocking to hear all this but it is true. The Sikhs had become word worshippers that is why these books made it so far and were being reintroduced to the Sikh sangat. Now the SGPC will say that they had banned this book but why did such a distortion of Sikh history and insult to the Gurus have happened to begin with under SGPC seal. Where was the Dharam Prachar Committee, were they sleeping?

The 14 panthic gems which supported and promoted Gurbilas Patshahi 6 (which is now banned) were not called to the Akal Takhat and declared Tankhaya, the ban was announced in Oct 2000. There has been sufficient time to have called these 14 panthic gems. By the way did Vedanti the compiler of this book ever seek forgiveness. They talk about Ram Rai’s incident in history on the stage but Guru Shabad was distorted through out this book ( Gurbilas Patshahi 6) , but this is not Guru Nanak’s Takhat that is why these Jathedar Vedanti has not punished themselves and the 14 panthic gems.

The prevalent practice has been to fear the word from the Akal Takhat. The present Akal Takhat is just another building, it is a seat of double standards, the practice is not per the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib so until the honor and dignity is established to the Akal Takhat for a true Sikh there is no reason to follow its directive.

They (SGPC) have been consulting the Saadhus, Dere Wala Babbas for direction, because they do not know what Guru Nanak Dev Ji preeched and taught us all

Guru Nanak Dev Ji did not care about existing traditions which were unfair and illogical

Is it in our tradition for the Sikh women across the world to be working outside the house doing odd jobs to professional jobs. This is hypocrisy in its highest form.

The free Sikh men and women across the globe should oppose this together and bring true practice of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in our lives.

Singh sahiban (both men & women) we need to participate in the electoral process of the SGPC if the order has to be restored as per Sri Guru Granth Sahib, otherwise the Akalis are destined to doom us.

By the way in the last 55 yrs of so called independence what has been the Akali contribution other than Morchas when they have been not in power.

Oh yaar eh bibian de seva da masaala tah haal nahin kar sakhe enhan ne raj ke chalaanah eh, haar roj ardas karde haan raj karey ga Khalsa

I was immensely shocked to read the letter of S. Rajinder Singh Purewal posted on your website today re Nanakshahi calendar prepared by Pal Singh Purewal. At first, I could not believe it. I read it again and tried to ponder over the motive behind this grave revelation.

Disregarding the merits and demerits of the calendar and its accuracy, I admire S. Rajinder Singh Purewal for divulging the alleged conversation of Pal Singh Purewal. If the facts are proven to be true, S. Rajinder Singh Purewal would be deemed to have rendered a great service to the Sikh nation. There could very well be an organized group behind this heinous crime. Under these circumstances, the matter should be referred to the SGPC for further action.

I have been following news about so-called Nanakshahi calender, prepared by one of my cousins. We Purewals are well known in the western world. Tarsem Singh (killed in Southall, London), Rajinder Singh (Punjab Times), Makhan Singh (www.sikhmarg.com), Pal Singh (calender wala), Balbir Singh M.P. all of us belong to the same clan.

Tarsem was a special person. Makhan Singh Purewal too is serving the Panth in his own way. In fact www.sikh-history.com, www.badhni.com and www.sikhmarg.com are making great contribution. Similarly sikh agenda, learning zone, sikh cyber sangat, shiromani committee, intjsa, gurmat discussions and some other yahoo discussion groups are doing yoe man's service to the Panth.

But, the issue of Sikh calender is very serious. Last week Pal Singh boasted of a very shocking thing. He told one of his close relatives as to how did he got through support for this calender. He revealed that he pleased Dr Kharak Singh by buying him a computer, a digital camera to Kiranjot Kaur, a computer for Professor Dhillon (Gurdarshan Singh Chandigarh or Balwant Singh Amritsar). He presented a camera to Roop Singh (editor Gurmat Parkash magazine), a PC to Ranvir Singh (PA Tohra). Similarly he presented gifts to hardev Singh Virk. This was his style of winning support for his calender.

The way quite a few of us have started throwing brickbats at the Nanakshahi Calendar, and it's author, S. Pal Singh Purewal, seem to be the reflections of our traditional naïve behavior of our playing in the hands of our enemies.

In our haste in judgement some of us has dubbed the Nanakshahi Calendar as anti-Sikh, anti-Gurmat, not Khalistani enough, or what ever. Some of us have tried to diminish its importance by characterizing it as a non significant event, while others have dubbed it as a creation of the Brahmins because of the listing of some Brahamnical events like Sangrnads, Masyas, Punias etc. in the Sikh Jantri. Furthermore, some of us are upset on the honoring of S. Purewal with an honorary Ph.D. .....Let us stop our brickbating for a moment to separate the seed from the husk.

The confusion, as to who deserves our "bouquets" & who deserves the "brickbats" seem to come from the intermingling of the two issues in this one episode. Those two issues are "Nanakshahi Calendar" & "Nanakshahi Jantri." The "Nanakshahi Calendar" is the work of S. Purewal, while the "Nanakshahi Jantri" is the creation of our "gang of Deevaas" consisting of our "Jathedars, (ku)Sadhs, (Ku)Sants, (Ku)Babas, Derewalas, Taksalias, Brahamnical (Ku)-Jathas, and our spineless Sikh politicians" acting under the orders of their Bipar RSS Masters.

For his part, S. Purewal has definitely done a great service to the Sikh Nation by designing the "Nanakshahi Calendar" based upon logic, Science, Gurbani, and Sikh History. This Calendar in fact is the most accurate & logical way of measuring time till date that is in tune with nature. It needs the least amount of corrections over time compared to any other Calendar in existence, including the most popular, the CE Calendar.

Furthermore, rightfully, the name of this Calendar is based upon the name of the founder of Sikhism. In its initial presentation by S. Purewal, there was not even an iota of Brahamnical Trash in it. Had S. Purewal's original suggestions been accepted in toto, then there would have been no confusion about the dates of any of the events of Sikh History. He did his part with thorough research, and came up with the most accurate dates for the Sikh events of celebration. Therefore, it is totally unfair to throw any brickbat at him at all. From us he deserves nothing but "bouquets of flowers", lots of thanks, and appreciation for this work of the far reaching Historical Value.

The responsibility of the "screw ups" belongs entirely to the "Gang of Deevaas," who are under the tight grip of the Bipars (the Agents of the Brahamnical Snake). They are the ones who are responsible for the "Nanakshahi Jantri.." They are the ones who have compromised to keep the confusion intact about the Parkash Utsav of Guru Nanak Sahib, Diwali, and Holla Mahalla. They are the ones who have interjected the Brahamnical, non-Sikh events of Sangrand, Masya & Punya etc into the Nanakshahi Jantri. If anybody deserves the brickbats then it is the Gang, and not S. Purewal.

Despite all the Gang screw-ups, this Calendar still serves the necessary functions. ....a) it definitely brings in the reality of INDEPENDENCE to the very existence of the Sikh faith as a living religion. ......b) It does provide the first baby step to the Sikhs to move out of the shadow of Hinduism. .....c) It does have the capacity to free us from the grip of the Gang of Deevaas, .......d) It does bring in sanity, stability, logic, and certainty to the days of our celebrations. ......e) It stops us from running to a Two-Paisa Brahmin, every time, we need to find the dates of celebration of the days of our Sikh History.

In case, we as a Nation, have any desire to regain our lost pride, then let us learn to feel proud of those things that are our own. Those Nations perish, who start feeling comfortable sleeping under somebody else's shadows. What we have here, may not look to be perfect, but it is ours. Let us look at its positive side. With only three screw ups of the Sikh History left to be fixed, it seems that more than 95% of this Calendar is good, and only remaining less than 5% needs to be fixed. Which should not be a big problem, once the Calendar has taken roots in our hearts & minds.

Let us adopt this Calendar with full force to specify every event of our life. Let us not limit it to the Gurpurabs or other events of Sikh History only. Let us introduce it into our daily conscious by using it for our daily activities like, specifying our letter writing dates, our New Year greetings, our birthdays, our anniversaries, our marriages, our celebrations, or anything else. May be, then there will come a day, when Nanakshahi Calendar will become the most popular Calendar on the globe......The ball is in our court.

Regarding the bestowing of the honor of Ph.D. upon S. Purewal, he definitely deserves it.
He deserves this honor for his vision, his patience, his persistence, his knowledge, his research, and his ability to not to get discouraged, and loose sight of his objective while dealing with our "Gang of Deevaas"......Frankly speaking, hasn't he performed a miracle?...... by succeeding in getting something done?, ......despite the obscene grip of the RSS goons and the Gang of Deevaas, on the Sikh affairs???!!!

Once I was coming out of the gurdwara in Southall. It was a big day with loads of sangat, I felt so happy after going to the Gurdwara and serving the sangat. On the way out I was walking home and started chatting to a stranger. He was a Sikh guy, mid twenties, cut hair. I wished him a happy gurpurab and assumed he was going to the Gurdwara. He said he wasn't. I asked him why and he said he was not worthy of going to the gurdwara. He said he felt so ashamed of himself that he couldn't show his face to the Guru. Then he told me that he hated Muslims so much that one night he threw a brick smashing a Muslim shopkeepers window. So how could a sinner like him go to Gurdwara?

I tried to explain that the Guru Sahib went out of their way to pick up the worst of the worst, like the murderer Sajjan Tug, like the cannibal Kauda Rakhash and that Guru Sahib forgives in less time than it takes you to blink, if you ask sincerely to be forgiven. Infact Guru Arjun Dev ji writes that all sins are washed by having sangat of the holy, by going to the Gurdwara - not avoiding it

"saadhhoo dhhoor kuro nith mujun subh kilabikh paap guvaaein || I take my daily cleansing bath in the dust of the feet of the Holy, and I am rid of all my sins."
SGGS 979.

So no matter what you have done, try and go to the Gurdwara everyday. You can aim to touch the shoes of the Gursikhs and apply the dust to your forehead ("Jorriaa dee sevaa"). Press your forehead on the dust on the floor of Siri Guru Granth Sahib ji when you mutha-tek. do seva by straightening the sheets the sangat sit on, wipe your hands on the dust and spread the sheets out for sangat - gather the dust anyway you can. You will find forginess in humility and in humility you will open the door for God to enter your heart.

Anyway to finish off the story, it wasn't in the Sikh guys destiny to be forgiven. At that time he still couldn't bring himself to enter the Gurdwara.

bin bhaagaa suthusu(n)g n lubhai bin su(n)gath mail bhureejai jeeo ||3|| Without good fortune, the Sat Sangat is not found; without this Sangat, people are stained with filth and pollution. ||3|| SGGS 95

So make the most of the Gurdwara while you still have feet that can carry you, and hands that can serve, and a tongue that can recite God's Name.

Unlike Delhi, Sri Akal Takhat Sahib is an eternal Throne of the Almighty that stands for nothing but Truth, Justice & Fair play. At this sacred seat there is no room for any kind of Falsehood, Injustice, or Deceit. ……The games of Deceit, Injustice & Falsehood belong only to Delhi, and not to Sri Akal Takhat Sahib. …..Unfortunately, due to our prolonged contact with Delhi, quite a few of us seem to have forgotten the distinction between the two.

Walking on the lines, (and perhaps even under the directions) of Delhi, the Bipar controlled "Masand Tolla," in control of our Sikh Institutions is about to force Sri Akal Takhat Sahib into committing an act of gross injustice of Historic proportions. The Masand Tolla, intoxicated with its power, is on its way to dupe the Takhat into denying the process of fair play to a renowned Sikh scholar S. Gurbakhash Singh KalaAfghana. This scholar has authored a set of very Pro-Gurmat, anti-Bipar, & anti-Masand books titled "Bipran Kee Reet …ton ….Sach Daa Marag … i.e….From the Ways of the Bipars (Agents of the Brahamnical Snake) …to ….the Ways of Truth."

The game of the "Masand Tolla" Deceit is already in place. With the vicious spread of misinformation of the unsubstantiated fabricated charges against the scholar, it has already succeeded in duping the Takhat into; ……..a) refusing to listen to the Scholar’s council, the National Professor of Sikhism, S. Gurtej Singh, …… b) demeaning the Takhat by counseling it into backing out of it’s Takhat promise to listen to the Scholar through Video conferencing, ……c) demonizing the scholar through taking of the one-sided "Act" of banning of his books without providing him an opportunity to defend himself, ……and …..d) insisting into calling the Author to Sri Amritsar Sahib on May 10, 2003, despite being fully aware of his inability to do so.

From the game of deception being played so far, the Mega-plan of the "Masand Tolla" seems to be to dupe the Takhat into getting the renowned author ex-communicated on one deceptive technicality or the other.

Therefore, please act quickly before the "Masand Tolla" succeeds in its game of tattooing the sacred face of our Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, with an irremovable blot of an act of gross injustice of "Sach Noo Phaansee."

Please don’t let Sri Akal Takhat Sahib sink down to the Ways of Delhi. ….Please help it to maintain its Dignity by following the Sikh Ways of …."Truth, Justice, and Fair play."

ibRimMGm :- bIqy idn iswK sfihq dy pRiswD ilKfrI s[ sMqoK isMG, isznI, astrylIaf ieMglYNz dy dOry qy afey . afp ies sbMD ivc sfAUQfl qy ibRimMGm vI gey . dohF QfvF qy sMgqF ny AunHF df BrpUr svfgq kIqf . ibRimMGm ivc iswK kimAUintI aYNz XUQ sYNtr vwloN AunHF nUM snmfn pwqr vI ByNt kIqf igaf . ies mOky qy s[ sMqoK isMG jI ny zfktr idlgIr qy s[ mnpRIq isMG nfl ibRimMGm ivsfKI myly df dOrf vI kIqf .

qsvIr ivc AunHF nUM snmfn pwqr ByNt krdy njLr af rhy hn: pRiswD pMQk ivdvfn zfktr hrijMdr isMG idlgIr, s[ mnpRIq isMG bDnI klF (bwDnI zft km), s[ dl isMG ZysI (cyarmYn iswK kimAUintI aYNz XUQ sYNtr) , s[ kulvMq isMG ZysI (ibRitsL iswK kONsl), s[ avqfr isMG arpn (lok kvI) qy keI hor .

DharamKalah a book written by Jaswant Singh Parwana against the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, no action will be taken because Akal Takhat is being run by hypocrites.

Badungarh Ji what is being done of the 14 panthic gems who blessed the book Gurbilas Patshahi 6, nothing will be done because all one can expect is a double standard.

Is this Guru Nanak's Takhat? Are the affairs of the Akal Takhat being run by the principles of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.Why should the Sikhs listen to the Jathedars, what is the credibility of the SGPC at the present time.

The time has come for Sikhs accross the world to rise against our so called religious bodies and establish practice standards as per the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Once in the recent past(1984) the Akal Takhat was physically demolished. The Jathedars are demolishing the principles of practice of the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.The first step is removal of Jathedar of Akal Takhat Joginder Singh Vedanti for having compiled and publishing Gurbilas Patshahi 6.

Guru Harkrishan Institute of Sikh Studies (GHISS) is pleased to announce the 8th Annual Sikh Youth Gurmat Camp in Maryland from August 2-9, 2003. The registration deadline is July 14, 2003 and only the first 100 registrants with completed applications will be accepted. You are encouraged to register early since the limit of 100 has been met much before the deadline in the past camps.

The camp is for youth of ages 7-19 years. Further information about the camp can be obtained from the following website:

The website has pictures from past camps (including Camp 2002!). You can register online using the online registration form or download the form in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. Please pass on this information to your local Gurdwara, your family and friends, and to any other Sikhism-related mailing list you belong to.

I have not called myself or allowed my peers to call me Indian for a couple of years now. I am fully comfortable with simplifying my reasons into a list and then expanding on them below. These are not facts that can be proven or disproven, rather, they are simple proclamations of who I am or details that have been overlooked. Without extensive knowledge of physical or psychological oppression in Panjab, these are personals reasons I am NOT Indian:

1. I was born and raised in the United States of America. Therefore, I am an American citizen.
2. I have no allegiance to the Indian flag or Indian government. I am an American citizen.
3. The Sikh Nation is not from India. India, as Beant Singh has noted, is a mass of different civilizations, different cultures, and different traditions. The Sikh Nation is from Panjab. I am a Sikh. Therefore, if I must identify myself with a region, I tell people I am Panjabi, not Indian.

This debate is not a debate about Khalistan, though the idea of a separate Sikh Nation may be underlying. The debate here is whether a Sikh should identify herself or himself as Indian. As a Sikh-American first and a Panjabi American second, I am arguing that a Sikh outside of the political boundaries of India should have absolutely no qualms or doubts not identifying with India. Those within the borders of India should take into mind some other considerations:

1. Regarding the " Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion", the 25th Article of the Indian Constitution notes that "the reference to Hindus shall be construed as including a reference to persons professing the Sikh, Jaina or Buddhist religion, and the reference to Hindu religious institutions shall be construed accordingly."
2. The notion that India is considered a "Hindu state" is exemplified in the above article, but also in the words used in common language. The word India and the word Hindu have the same root, that is, the Indus River. Also, referring to India as Hindustan shows the irreverence and disrespect for other faiths and cultures in the region. Compare this to the U.S. calling itself Christendom or, more analagously, Christland.
3. The physical and psychological atrocities committed by the Indian government, whether they were in broad daylight or covert. These issues were expanded on by Beant Singh and I do feel no need to reiterate them.

Though my knowledge of the actual oppression of Sikhs is not as expansive as others, I have enough awareness to understand that being Sikh has NOTHING to do with being Indian. I am not Indian, and I never will be. My religion is Sikhi and my faith belongs to Gur Sabad.

It was a joy for me to have a copy of the Sikh Encyclopedia CD Rom by Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer. It is really a great contribution by this intellectual and a great help to the Sikhs and non-Sikh students of Sikhism. It is great that there are about 3000 biographies of the Sikhs and the persons associated with the Sikhs. Information abot more than 1200 Gurdwaras and more than 600 pictures of the Gurdwaras have made it more precious. The greates thing is 31 Rags in which Guru Granth Sahib's shabads have been sung. If one does not want to use other information of the CD, one can put it on to listen to Gurbani sung in ragas.

The CD Rom has given 2 complete books, comprehensive history (Chronology), about 500 concepts of Sikh philosophy. I am lucky to get it all in just 20 pounds. I recommend that every parent should present it to their children and children of their friends so that they may learn great information about Sikhism.

I have seen the Sikh Encyclopedia CD ROM by Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer. It is really a great work. Earlier Ranghbir Singh Bains too had produced an encyclopedia. That CD ROM is nothing as compared to this CD Rom. Thanks to Dr Dilgeer's hard work. Like his books, here too, he has shown that he is marvellous. The Sikh nation should award him the title of PANTHAK KOHINOOR. He is much more than a Panth Ratan. In my views the Sikhs should have given more respect to Bhai Gurdas, Ratan Singh Bhangu, Giani Dit Singh, Karam Singh Historian, Ganda Singh, Sirdar Kapur Singh and Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer. These PENs (writers) have done great service to the Sikh literature and the Sikh nation. May Dr Dilgeer live long.

Raminder Singh