New York, USA (KP) - Several Panthic organizations and Gurdwara Sahib committees throughout the globe pressed for strict and immediate action to be taken against pseudo-Baba Mann “Singh” Pehova wala given his reputation for sexual assault and his other scandalous behaviors.
In recent months, Pehova wala has attempted to hold programs in different Gurdwara Sahibs throughout the world where the local sangats were unaware of his reputation for sexual harassment. A Canadian newspaper reported that a notarized affidavit was submitted by a Sikh Bibi that stated that on his last North American tour, Baba Pehova wala attempted to molest her after following her into a restroom. Explicit details of that encounter were posted on the newspaper's website.
Last month Pehova wala tried to hold a program in Dubai (UAE) however thanks to the diligence and immediate action taken by Khalsa Panchayat UAE Dubai he wasn’t allowed to hold a program at any of the Gurdwara Sahibs. Mann “Singh” was accused of having inappropriate interactions with the sangat on his past visits to Dubai back in 1993 and 1995. Upon his arrival in Dubai last month, several of the sevadars of the Khalsa Panchayat were assaulted by Pehova wala’s associates when they tried to expose him to the sangat by distributing leaflets with information about his past actions. Despite these attacks, the sevadars were successful in their initiative to stop Pehova wala from holding any programs during his stay in Dubai from the 17th to the 25th of March.
At a recent meeting held at the Sikh Cultural Society Gurdwara in New York, Gurdwara Committees and Panthic Jathebandis from throughout the Tri-State area stood united in a boycott against Pehova wala given his upcoming New York tour. The representatives at the meeting took note of Mann “Singh’s” previous tours where he intentionally tried to manipulate the meanings of Gurbani and spoke in a very obscene manner to the sangat and in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The pending crimes reported by the various press in South Asia, and in North America, regarding the inappropriate meetings between Mann “Singh” and young women were also looked at and discussed. It was noted that former Jathedar of Akaal Takhat Sahib, Singh Sahib Bhai Ranjit Singh Ji had made and collected video statements which were then released to the media. In these videos the young women revealed the nature and extent of the crimes of sexual harassment by Mann “Singh”, to various Panthic bodies, however thus far action has not been taken against him. Many of Mann “Singh’s” close associates have also been active in shedding light on the disgraceful acts committed by him. The relevance of Pehova wala’s close association with and honoring of corrupt leaders and the objectionable operation of his deras was also discussed.
The collective majority of attendees resolved to take steps to create awareness amongst the sangat of the lewd and offensive behavior of Mann “Singh” through a variety of mediums including the distribution of pamphlets with information about his past actions. Those present also urged the committee of Gurdwara Mukhan Shah Lubhana, the only committee still wishing to support his programs, to cancel the planned program.
Worldwide media coverage and attention given to the activities of Mann “Singh” has still not resulted in a statement or even acknowledgement from Pehova Wala, and this along with other confirmed misdeeds committed by him should suffice in the boycott of all his programs from all Gurudwara Sahibs.
Under the name of Sikhi, people like Pehova wala who set themselves high up on pedestals claiming religious superiority have maligned sacred institutions of the Sikh faith and have abused the term “Baba” luring vulnerable Sikhs who are ignorant of who they really are. An eleven member committee was established to help those Sikh women who were sexually assaulted by Pehova Wala. The committee noted that it was because of people like Mann “Singh” who abuse the name “Baba” for their own interests that countless Sikh men and women have been led astray. Prominent Panthic organizations worldwide have emphasized that the Panth needs to be purged of such anti-Sikh elements and thus all Sikhs are requested to boycott all programs by Pehvo Wala.
