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India Takhat Jathedars To Further Discuss Caste Based Gurdwaras

Jan 6, 2005
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Takhat Jathedars to Further Discuss Caste Based Gurdwaras
By: Sikh24 Editors

AMRITSAR SAHIB (July 12, 2012)–After having issued a Hukamnama from Sri Akal Takhat, it seems the leadership of the Five Takhats is set to work on freeing Gurdwaras from the clutches of the caste system. A meeting is going to take place today at Sri Akal Takhat Sahib in which the Jathedars will chalk out the strategy and discuss the issue of caste based Gurdwaras. Caste based Gurdwaras are prevalent all over–not only in Punjab but also worldwide.

At first, it seems that the leadership will tackle the caste based Gurdwaras located inside Punjab, especially those in the plans to be built or being constructed currently. Interestingly, edicts have been issued from Akal Takhat Sahib in the past that bar caste based Gurdwaras, but they have been largely ignored. In particular, political parties across Punjab have played a big role in supporting caste based Gurdwaras to woo voters of different communities.

What decisions the Takhat Jathedars take will be interesting as the issue of caste has long separated the Sikh community. This is also the reason that many followers of the Sikh religion have strayed into Dehdhari Gurudom.

According to a statement by Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, he had received complaints that some Gurdwaras bar entrance to people based on their caste. He had labeled this as utterly disappointing. As per Sikh beliefs, all humans should be treated equal and anyone could pay homage at any Gurdwara.

In the past, Takhat leadership has passed various ‘Gurmattas’ (edicts) based on Gurmat, but they have not been implemented due to a lack of parchaar. The chairs and tables hukamnama was one that was passed by Akal Takhat Sahib Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh, the last traditionally chosen Jathedar, but it was not properly implemented and led to further division in the community. Sikh Sangat is now largely split on the basis of caste, so what decisions the Jathedars take will be interesting to follow.

source: http://www.sikh24.com/2012/07/takhat-jathedars-to-further-discuss-caste-based-gurdwaras/
 

japjisahib04

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In addition to caste based, what about those singers who were first elevated to sainthood who in turn have opened up their own gurdwara. More than ten thousands deras are elevating their head to sant. To me it looks like very soon we will have again 33 crores sants in line with Hindus devi devta.

Best regards
Mohinder Singh Sahni
 
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japjisahib04

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In addition to caste based, what about those singers (like rarewaleh sant, mastuaneh waleh sant, sujan singh sant etc) who were first elevated to sainthood who in turn have opened up their own gurdwara. More than ten thousands deras are elevating their head to sant. To me it looks like very soon we will have again 33 crores sants in line with Hindus devi devta.

Best regards
Mohinder Singh Sahni
 

Gyani Jarnail Singh

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All this is whats called HOGWASH...there is no "WILL" to do anything..just window dressings to keep the Sikhs ENTERTAINED...and DIVIDED...churning water to earn their Badalhood medals...what is commonly known in the workplace as .."Look busy"....:angryyoungsingh::singhsippingcoffee::angryyoungsingh::singhsippingcoffee:swordfight:swordfight-kudiyan:lol
 

Chaan Pardesi

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Gurmukho, there was no one elevated to the title of Santhood by the Sikh body-SGPC/Akal Takhat;almost all apart from sant Attar Singh Mastuanewale are self appointed, or simpltons started calling them sant and thus they "qualified" themselves to be sants!In other words, they are self made sants!This includes Bhai Jarnail Singh Bhindrawala.Today, one can lift a brick and up pops one sant,who somehow finds touring the countries abroad mor attractive rather than sharing their "preaching" within Punjab or India...

As I understand there are about 12476 villages in the Punjab, and there are 18970 registered deras with sants in the Punjab!Those who are unregistered are beyond count yet!

The erradication of caste based Gurduaras are a good start.But with it must come the issue of non kesadhari parbandhaks!MOST of whom have no iota understanding of the sikhs values and principles; nor Sikh cause and history.

It is these people with lack of understanding of the sikh religion that are a major cause of concern within the Gurduaras about the practices of sikh religion that goes on.Because they have no idea, the rest that goes on; is not checked nor confirmed if it is indeed part of sikhi or not- they allow a free for all-and this has invented the some times totally anti Sikh practice that goes on.

The issues around aarti, bhog;inter faith and non sikh weddings etc are all caused by such liberal free thinking mona presidents as they have no clue themselves.I can bet that almost 99% of them cannot conduct a path or read the Guru Granth sahib or even know which bani is read when or what the SRM is all about and what it says!

I am of the idea, that some sikhs will be mona for one reason or another, but these mona sikhs can be invited to join the committee in junior positions or simply as committee members -such can give them an opportunity to learn and understand the real sikh values and perhaps as they go along they will adopt the identity of the sikh and take more active part that is in line with sikh law.

There is a lot wrong today within Gurduaras!Air conditioning the sukhasan rooom;using egg contents cake cutting ;bringing in food into langger from outside where it has not been prepared by sikh sangat ;Malaysia is notoriously renowned for such practice in what is supposed to be simple Guru ka Langger is turned into a massive variety feast with dhosas,noodles, and what not- half of which is then thrown away;was prepared out side the Gurduaras by people who are probably smokers, and also used halal approved contents in the oil etc.and dishes that have been not too long earlier used to prepare halal dishes for someone else!

I am NOT against people having such meals and feasts at their own homes or private functions as long as they are not used following a bhog conducted with presence of Guru Granth Sahib in or out side a Gurduara.

I hope the Akal takhat wakes up to this call and does NOT stop with the caste Gurduaras, but will consider my notes.We also know that often they will shout loud from the Akal Takhat and do nothing;but will leave the community more disjointed as it has happened in the past; but the signs I am seeing over the last 6 months indicate they wish to move on, but only time will tell that have they moved on ..to better ..or ...worst!
 
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Luckysingh

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What people do after they enter through the gates of the gurdwara is a different matter to actually refusing people to enter through in the 1st place, based on their caste!!

-This needs to be addressed 1st before the way 'monas' conduct the normal operation within the gurdwara grounds!!

Lets configure how the 'entrance' is made before we configure what is done when entered.
 

Ishna

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May 9, 2006
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If SGPC did anything practical and positive it would be better than the current state of affairs of absolute zero.
 

Gyani Jarnail Singh

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If SGPC did anything practical and positive it would be better than the current state of affairs of absolute zero.


There is a substance that actually BOILS at MINUS 45 degrees Celcius !! SGPC is like that....WAY BELOW ABSOLUTE ZERO.....also it can give an impression of "boiling for Sikh rights"....yet NOTHING Happens....
 

Gyani Jarnail Singh

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Ha Ha ..BUT then there will be a whole ARMY of UNEMPLOYED Pardhaans and skaatars all over..and THEY WONT BE HAPPY...thats the REAL BEDROCK caste and other gurdwaras are built on..PERSONAL HANKAAR CHAUDHAR...love of the KURSEE !!

And whats even worse is..these UNEMPLOYED Pardhaan skaatras DONT KNOW the ABC of paath, kirtan, SRM, doing ardass etc etc..so THEY cannot even be employed as Granthis or preachers..Punjabi Gurmukhi Teachers, Librarians, Coaches for sports..whatever......they are absolutely USELESS unless they are pardhaans skaatars ONLY...
 

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