Bhai RANJIT SINGH KHALSA DHADRIANWALE STRONGLY SPEAKS OUT
AGAINST THE AKAL TAKHT JATHEDAR’S DECISION TO PARDON SAUDA SAADH GURMEET
RAM RAHEEM
26 September 2015, Yuba City California, USA - In a shocking move, the
Akal Takht appointed Jathedar has recently accepted a so-called “apology
letter” from the self-proclaimed God-man Gurmeet Ram Raheem, chief of
the highly controversial Sirsa cult. Sikhs from across the world are in
deep fury over the decision given by the appointed Jathedar, on such a
sensitive issue, that has been pronounced without the prior consultation
of the Khalsa Panth. Sikh organisations from across the world have
condemned the move.
Panthic Parcharak Bhai Ranjit Singh Khalsa Dhadrianwale has stated they
always have and always will be under the supreme authority of Sri Akal
Takht Sahib, but in the recent scenario, even if someone were to put a
bullet to their head, a sword on their neck, there is no way they will
acknowledge this pardon that has simply been read out by its current
appointed Jathedar. The nation already knows the edict that has been
issued has not come from Sri Akal Takht Sahib, but from Chandigarh or
Delhi. The appointed Jathedar has simply read it out, but it has not
come from him. That is the truth. Anything within Gurmat protocol will
always be accepted, but this is something that cannot even be considered
with a clear conscience.
It is notable that in May 2007, Gurmeet Ram Rahim had conducted an
infamous activity in an attempt to personify the great Guru Gobind Singh
Sahib Ji.
Speaking during a live broadcast of the large-scale Gurmat Samagam
currently taking place in Yuba City California, Bhai Ranjit Singh Khalsa
said, “The letter is widely being perceived as a
clarification by the Sauda Saadh, advocating his innocence as opposed to
an apology for acknowledged actions of wrongdoing. He has evidently
offered no apology or shown any regret, but on the contrary is denying
the events of 2007.”
Certainly our Guru’s protocol is ‘Jo Saran Aavai This Kanth Laavai Eihu
Biradh Suaamee Sandhaa’. If one does indeed come as a beggar to the
Guru’s door, humbly presents their self in front of Sri Akal Takht
Sahib, accepts they have made a mistake, states that mistake, and then
declares with folded hands they have come to ask for forgiveness for the
stated mistake, then a discussion can take place with the nation whether
that individual should be forgiven. If the nation accepts, then it is
the Hukam of the Guru that if someone has humbly come with folded hands,
accepting their mistake and begging for forgiveness, that person can
indeed be pardoned. That would be within Gurmat.
But what has happened in this scenario? The Sauda Saadh has not
presented himself in front of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, but merely sent a
letter that has no official stamp, nor is it written on an official
letterhead of the Dera, and furthermore he has not apologised in it. The
Dera chief didn’t admit his guilt; the only two words which make an
“apology letter” are the words “Kahima Da Jachak.” It is true if someone
has genuinely asked for forgiveness, then a pardon from the Sikh nation
can be offered. But how is it that someone who has not even asked for
forgiveness be given a clean-chit?
It is unfortunate that the millions of donations coming from the Sangat
are misused in legal battles. Even if Gurbani has to be misused, even if
the Gurdwara has to be misused and then even if the Akal Takht has to be
misused in order to feed their ego and secure their positions of
leadership, these people will do it.
Parcharaks like Bhai Ranjit Singh Khalsa openly preached against the
Dera for many years. The majority of the Dera’s activities were stopped
in Punjab, Sikhs did not allow him to enter the state and his movies
were prevented from being released. Many of his followers joined the
Khalsa Panth and became Amritdhari. These people had the moral support
that the Akal Takht leaders were with them. Bhai Ranjit Singh Khalsa
said they have been reading the news for the last couple of days and
they feel ashamed of what is going on. They feel embarrassed that for so
many years Parchar has been done against the Sirsa cult to bring the
misguided followers back into the Sikh fold, but then suddenly our
leaders now decide to embrace the other side. It is not possible to
embrace such people.
The meeting of the Jathedars on 24 September 2015 was
attended by Giani Gurbachan Singh (Sri Akal Takht Sahib), Giani Mall
Singh (Sri Kesgarh Sahib), Giani Iqbal Singh (Sri Patna Sahib), Giani
Ram Singh (Sri Hazoor Sahib) and Giani Gurmukh Singh (Sri Damdama
Sahib).
The appointed Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh has
said that Gurmeet Ram Rahim is pardoned after acceptance of his
“apology” and that it was necessary to pardon him to control threats to
disruption of peace and harmony across civilians residing in Punjab.
But Bhai Ranjit Singh Khalsa has questioned whether before this
Hukamnama was read out; did any discussion take place with the mothers
and fathers of Bhai Kamaljit Singh, Bhai Harminder Singh Dabwali and
Bhai Balkar Singh Mumbai? Was their martyrdom ignored and assumed
insignificant?
The leaders know they will easily secure the vote bank of Punjab’s naïve
Sikh community, but the question for them has always been on how to
secure the vote banks of these cults. Sikhs worldwide are aware that
this is what is being resolved. There is no doubt the majority of the
Sikh nation worldwide has categorically rejected the so-called “apology”
letter.
