Excommunication of a Sikh?

Is the excommunication of a Sikh authorized by Gurbani, Sikh Raht Maryada (it mentions a Sikh being declared tankhaiya , i.e. leading to social boycott), Sikh tradition or by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee Act ?

SIKH REHT MARYADA states in Section SIX, Chapter XIII, Article XXV - Method of Imposing Chastisement (Tankah):

Article XXV

a. Any Sikh who has committed any default in the observance of the Sikh discipline should approach the nearby Sikh congregation and make a confession of his lapse standing before the congregation.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/25928-excommunication-of-a-sikh.html
b. The congregation should then, in the holy presence of Guru Granth Sahib, elect from among themselves five beloved ones who should ponder over the suppliant's fault and propose the chastisement (punishment) for it.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25928
c. The congregation should not take an obdurate stand in granting pardon. Nor should the defaulter argue about the chastisement. The punishment that is imposed should be some kind of service, especially some service that can be performed with hands.
d. And finally an Ardas for correction should be performed

source: Sikh Reht Maryada, The Definition of Sikh, Sikh Conduct & Conventions, Sikh Religion Living, India

 
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Dear All,

IMHO it is nothing but institutionalizing the faith to control the followers by those who are in power with political corruption and spiritual ignorance. Guru Nanak pondered over it in Raag Ramkali;

ਕਾਜੀ ਹੋਇ ਕੈ ਬਹੈ ਨਿਆਇ ॥ ਫੇਰੇ ਤਸਬੀ ਕਰੇ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥ ਵਢੀ ਲੈ ਕੈ ਹਕੁ ਗਵਾਏ ॥ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਪੁਛੈ ਤਾ ਪੜਿ ਸੁਣਾਏ ॥
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25928

Kājī ho­ė kai bahai ni­ā­ė. Fėrė ṯasbī karė kẖuḏā­ė. vadẖī lai kai hak gavā­ė. Jė ko pucẖẖai ṯā paṛ suṇā­ė.

Becoming judges, they sit and administer justice. They chant on their rosaries, and call upon God. They accept bribes, and block justice. If someone asks them, they read quotations from their books. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Ramkali, AGGS, Page, 951-15

Political corruption is a socio-political and moral pathology feeding on bribery, despair, human suffering, apathy, and spiritual ignorance. It has much the same effect on the development of a nation that cancer has on the life of a biological organism. Large-scale corruption is supported by power networks. Large-scale corruption is an emergent social process. The same governing factors that sustain large-scale corruption are in direct opposition to efforts to promote development. While extracting wealth, corrupt power networks generated waste, reduced production, and caused acrimony on the part of the victims. In the final analysis corruption is a tree, whose branches are of an immeasurable length spreading every where and the dew that drops from them has infected chairs and stools of authority.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25928

Conclusion;

ਪੜਹਿ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਪਰੁ ਬਿਧਿ ਨਹੀ ਜਾਨਾ ॥ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਬੂਝਹਿ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਨਾ ॥ ਲੈ ਕੈ ਵਢੀ ਦੇਨਿ ਉਗਾਹੀ ਦੁਰਮਤਿ ਕਾ ਗਲਿ ਫਾਹਾ ਹੇ ॥

Paṛeh manmukẖ par biḏẖ nahī jānā. Nām na būjẖeh bẖaram bẖulānā. Lai kai vadẖī ḏėn ugāhī ḏurmaṯ kā gal fāhā hė.

The self-willed read and study, but they do not know the way. They do not understand the Name of the Akal Purkh; they wander, deluded by doubt. They take bribes, and give false testimony; the noose of evil-mindedness is around their necks. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Maru, AGGS, Page, 1032-11

Cordially,

Virinder S Grewal

The protocol and Maryada demands that there should be some accountability and a show cause notice be issued to those who have undertaken an oath and have amrit chhak and violated their oath in public, so that decipline be maintained.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25928

Mohinder Singh Sahni

Dear Mohinder Ji,

I agree with your comments and add that there should be tranparency in the system and there should be no closed door decisions and not as Guru Nanak refered to the red book of Qazi where they make their own rules.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25928

Cordially,

Virinder

Mohinder Singh Ji,

A question, if you have broken your Amrit should you be Excommunicated from the Sikh faith?

Sadh Sangat,
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25928

Guru Fateh.

1.Does anyone know the origin of Tankhiya and when and how did it start?

2. Who was the first one in Sikhi to get this punishment?

3.Where does it say in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji about this or is it copied from the Catholic " confession"?

4. What authourity do the 5 Pyaras possess, based on what Gurmat ideals?

5. What if one or more out of 5 have done the same or the similar thing and have not told anyone?

6. Who is making sure that 5 Pyaras are capable of giving punishment because taking Khandei de pahul is not suffice?

7. What happens if the decision to punish is taken out of sheer ego ( anti Gurmat ideal) rather than based on Gurmat ideals?
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25928

8. Who is the ultimate authourity?

Just thinking aloud!

Tejwant Singh

Ever since the origin of the institutionalized religion there has always been inimicality between the dogmatic orthodox and the pragmatic progressive elements. The bone of contention has essentially been the interpretation of the religious concepts, doctrines and practice. Whereas the orthodox element tends to be inclined towards occultism, the progressive element tends to be realism oriented. Often the former element’s zeal to foster its dogmatic version of religious concepts, doctrines, dicta and practice has resulted in protracted strife in which the orthodoxy’s detractors are persecuted. To accomplish its objectives, the ultra-orthodox religious clique often resorts to unholy means such as branding the opponents as heretics or blasphemous and excommunicated, ostracized and/or burnt them alive at the stake.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25928

During the primeval and medieval times since illiteracy and spiritual un-awareness were more prevalent among the religious flocks, it was lot easier for the holy demagogues to foster their occult version i.e. blind faith devotion, prejudices, taboos and superstitions upon the innocent/ignorant people. There were fewer learned and rational minded people who had the gumption to question the authoritarian orthodoxy’s dogmatic rigmarole of myths, heaven/hell, sin/penitence, sacrifices, idolatry and donations/offerings to the self-anointed holy men of dubious credentials.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25928

Since superstitions, myths, stigmas, taboos and prejudices play a vital part in influencing the mentality of the gullible religious flocks, astute ecclesiastics invariably include these occult elements in their religious dogmas. Because of the religious flocks’ gullibility the dogmatic orthodoxy has always been in control of the seats of power of the religious institutions. In the annals of human history there have been instances of orthodox ecclesiastics of every religion persecuting rational minded people who had the spiritual awareness and strength of their convictions to challenge formers' mystifying dogmas and occult religiosity.

Additional and controversial ideas from this article continued at this link http://www.sikhsundesh.net/excommunication.htm

Tejwant ji

In response to your question regarding the first excommunication - which is a poor equivalent for Tankhaiya, this may explain. But it is sure as well to be debatable.

In 1661, his eldest son and celebrated scholar Ram Rai (son of Guru Har Rai Sahib) was sent to the court of Emperor Aurangzeb for rendering explanation of certain hymns misunderstood by the Mughal Durbar. Instead of doing justice to the theme as contained in a Shabad, he avoided facing a debate and replaced while quoting from Guru Granth Sahib only one word. When Guru Har Rai Sahib learnt about this, he asked his son not to show his face and also instructed the Sikhs not to have any worldly terms with him and his people.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25928
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25928


Here is the source article: WSN-Special Report-Unchallengeable Authenticity of Guru Granth Sahib

Some of the information in the article is subject to question (e.g., the excommunication of Rosana Spokesman, Chief Editor, Jogendar Singh) as there may be overstatements. Tankhaiya is not exactly excommunication and is more like banning.

Dear Narayanjot Ji,

I have a simple question on the subject.

How excommunication does affect a Sikh with out 5 K's e.g. me? I am old, retired, and controversial to some, have Gurudwara in my home, have Sikh and other friends for social purposes and have no inclination to go to India?
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25928
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25928

Should I be excommunicated what will be my status on SPN forum?

Does SPN forum falls under the control of Akal Takhat?

Cordially,

Virinder