Hidden Deceptive Aspect of Sikh Definition

The SGPC is very likely to submit an amended definition of a Sikh, common for all before Hon’ble High Court of Punjab and Haryana, Chandigarh

Definitions of a Sehajdhari, patit (apostate) and a Gursikh (baptised Sikh) are classifications of Sikhs like of caste system and have to be dispensed with on the grounds, principles and the spirit of equality and equity i.e. Sarbat Da Bhala enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.  

As to how Sikhs can be allowed to be discriminated and classified within Sikhism in this modern age by anyone and when Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is meant for humanity from the very beginning? Such classifications or issuing the certificates like a Sehajdhari, patit (apostate) and a Gursikh (baptised Sikh) is discriminatory in nature and in the context there are no categories in Sikhs. One is either a Sikh or not. 

In view of the significant objections raised, the SGPC is very likely to submit an amended definition of a Sikh, common for all before Hon’ble High Court of Punjab and Haryana, Chandigarh so that no Sikh is discriminated and classified within Sikhism and the Sikh born into Sikh families especially rural Sikh is also not called as patit (apostate) or to debar him (Rural Sikh) at will from any kind of advantage as Sikh or disowned under any circumstances so long he performs all religious ceremonies according to Sikh religion.

Will the SGPC or the controlling political party and others i.e. RSS/BJP/Congress to SGPC, clarify the Sikh definition in view of the explanation as under?

The three terms, ‘A Sahajdhari’, ‘A Sahjadhari Sikh’, ‘A Sikh born into a Sikh family’ in the Sikh definition given by way of affidavit by SGPC before High Court are self contradictory and have full scope to discriminate especially with rural Sikhs in every field to debar them at will from any kind of advantage as Sikhs being all they have been covered under the term ‘Sikhs born into Sikh families’.

1.         A Sahajdhari –“ A Sahajdhari, therefore, is a novice who has entered the path of Sikhism, and he will continue to be so till he fully accepts the moral and spiritual vows of Sikhism, to be called a practicing Sikh professing Sikhism”.

2.         A Sahjadhari Sikh-“Once a Sahajdhari becomes a Keshadhari Sikh, he under no circumstances by cutting/trimming his/her hair, beard, eye-brows in any manner can claim to be a Sahajdhari Sikh”. 

3.         A Sikh born into a Sikh family- “A Sikh born into a Sikh family cannot claim to be a Sahjadhari Sikh (it means the question of to be a Sahajdhari for him does not arise at all) by trimming/cutting his/her hair, beard or eye-brows in any manner”.

Was/is the hue and cry on the part of Sikhs belonging to Dhande Di Sikhi (those who become Sikhs for commercial motives) and Bhekh Di Sikhi (those who accept Sikhism formally to imitate Sikhs for material gains and to exploit Sikhism for their ignoble ends) about the three terms, ‘A Sahajdhari’, ‘A Sahjadhari Sikh’, ‘A Sikh born into a Sikh family’ in the Sikh definition given by way of affidavit by SGPC for misleading the rural Sikhs born into Sikh families or only to debar them at will from any kind of advantage as Sikhs being all they have been covered under the term ‘Sikhs born into Sikh families in connivance with SGPC/RSS/BJP/Congress fraudulently?

Would the non-Sikhs and the Dhande De Sikh and Bhekh De Sikh not only to be benefited from the Sikh definition submitted before the High Court by SGPC leaving a few exceptions only?

Will the SGPC or the controlling political party and others i.e. RSS/BJP/Congress to SGPC, clarify the Sikh definition in view of the above explanation?

Submission by
Balbir Singh Sooch, Advocate, Ludhiana
Skh Vichar Manch
December 23, 2008 and updated on 25 December 2008
www.sikhvicharmanch.com

The affidavit for ready reference is as under:

http://worldsikhnews.com/17%20December%202008/SGPC%20Affidavit%20on%20High%20Court.htm

SGPC's Affidavit Before the Hon’ble High Court

In the High Court for the States for Punjab and Haryana At Chandigarh
C.W.P.  No. 13282 of 2008-12-10
Gurleen Kaur and others
.. Petitioners
Versus
State of Punjab and others.
.. Respondents 

Affidavit of Harbeant Singh, Secretary, Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Teja Singh Samundri Hall, Sri Amritsar Sahib. 

I, the above named deponent do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as under:- 

1. That the deponent is the Secretary of Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Amritsar Sahib and being in knowledge of the facts present case, is competent to file the present affidavit.

2. That the present affidavit is being filed in compliance with t he directions contained in the orders of this Hon’ble court dated 29.9.2008. In consequences of the aforementioned directions of this Hon’ble Court, a General House Meeting of the S.G.P.C. considered the issue as regards the query of this Hon’ble Court on 22.11.2008 and in the meeting it as resolved to constitute a Committee of Scholars/Legal experts and Representatives of the SGPC to give an opinion based upon historical, theological and philosophical perspective.

3. That the matter was deliberated by the Committee and the report was forwarded the Executive Committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee for approval.

4. That the Executive Committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee has considered the report submitted by the Committee in its meeting held on 3.12.2008.

5. That based upon the above consideration the stand of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee in response to the query raised by this Hon’ble Court in its order dated 29.9.2008, is as under.

(i). The definitions of various words and phrases, used in the Sikh Gurdwra Act, 1925 are provided in Section 2 of the said Act. These definitions are relevant for the purpose of the interpretation of the substantive provisions of the said Act.

(ii) As per Section 2(10-A) a Sahajdhari Sikh is a person (i) who performs ceremonies according to Sikh rites, (ii) who does not use tobacco, Kutha, Halal meat in any form, (iii) who is not a Patit (Apostate), and (iv) who can recite Mulmantra (Proem to Sri Guru Granth Sahib).  The word Sahajdhari consists of two words Sahaj = slowly; dhari = to adopt. Hence Sahajdhari Sikhs are those novices who were born in non-sikh families, and who expressed their desire to adopt Sikhism slowly and gradually, adopt its doctrines, ethics and tenets with belief in Shri Guru Granth Sahib and Ten Gurus.  A Sahajdhari, therefore, is a novice who has entered the path of Sikhism, and he will continue to be so till he fully accepts the moral and spiritual vows of Sikhism, to be called a practicing Sikh professing Sikhism. Once a Sahajdhari becomes a Keshadhari Sikh, he under no circumstances by cutting/trimming his/her hair, beard, eye-brows in any manner can claim to be a Sahajdhari Sikh.  Similarly, a Sikh born into a Sikh family cannot claim to be a Sahjadhari Sikh by trimming/cutting his/her hair, beard or eye-brows in any manner.

6. That the present affidavit is being filed in the context of the aforementioned writ petition only and reflects the stand of the SGPC in response to the specific query raised by this Hon’ble Court in its order dated 29.9.2008.

Chandigarh

Dated: 5/12/08

Sd/-

Deponent 

http://www.sikhvicharmanch.com/Religiou%20Politics-Are%20Sikhs%20Less%20Liberal%20and%20Secular.htm