In a statement, released by Bhai Surat Singh, Jathedar of Akhand Kirtani Jatha (AKJ) India, he condemned the indiscriminate use of the word “Sant” and labeled the dera culture as a disease that is challenging the authority of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The statement was signed by the 11 member committee of the AKJ. “Along with blessing us with religious knowledge, our Guru Sahibans, trumpeted the bugle so we can extricate ourselves from the slavery of Bipparvadi rituals and their theology of subjugation.”, it stated.
It further stated: “Instead of the worship of entities, personalities, stones, deities, idols, cremation grounds, graves and tombs, our Gurus directed us to worship only the Almighty God and Shabad Guru, but sadly those who call themselves part of this Sikh Panth are stuck in the web of graves and tombs, fake Gurus, and sant babas.”
The statement then detailed a suggested plan and series of steps to help maintain the respect of Guru Granth Sahib Ji and help eradicate the Sikh community from the dera disease. They include:
1) SGPC should allot 1% of their Rs500 million budget to counter the dera/gurudom influence in the Sikh community.
2) Creation of a special task (security) force, that would always be ready to uphold the respect of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Retired Sikh officers, soldiers and Nihang Singhs should be recruited for this seva.
3) A list should be created of all gurudoms, and deras, and all property and assets of these deras be compiled.
4) A similar list should be created of all Gurdwara Sahibs under the SGPC’s authority.
5) These lists should be presented to Sri Akal Takhat Sahib where all properties and assets of these derawadi babas should be openly divulged to the Khalsa Panth afterwhich a panel of Sikh lawyers should then take legal action to reclaim these back to the trust of the Sikh community.
6) Strict legal action should be taken against those who disrespect the Saroops of Guru Ganth Sahib Ji. This should be written in state law and enforced rigorously.
7) Stop the misue of the word “Sant”, as a first step; disallow it use for living individuals.
8) Socially and politically boycott those who associate, patronize and solicit dehdharrees, gurudoms, and derawadis for votes.
9) In keeping proper respect of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, all sales of Guru Sahib Ji’s Saroops should be immediately stopped.
A representative of the Khalsa Alliance, applauded Akhand Kirtani Jatha’s efforts, and requested the SGPC to follow up on the proposal set forth by the Jatha. “The continuing disrespect of the sacred saroops of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, and the growing influence of Brahminvaad in Sikh homes, is proof that Sikhs are no longer masters of their own destiny. Sikhs do not believe in superstitions, nor do they worship worthless deities and charlatans. These distractions (baba and deras) are the invention of the various Hinduvata forces and of the Indian intelligence apparatus and have nothing to do with Sikhi. Sikhi promotes religious independence, and equality, not blind rituals and social bigotry.”, the Alliance representative acknowledged.
Reference: http://www.AkhandKirtaniJatha.org/News_4_06_2006.php
:
