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Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your email.
First to set the record straight, the Chicago Sikh Religious Society (SRS) is the one who petitioned for the Baba (honorific title) to be excommunicated. Panthic Weekly merely reported the news.
Would it feel bad if something happened to your daughter, wife or someone dear to you when they went to one of these 'Babas' to learn about Gurbani and their trust was abused? Is somone else's daughter less than yours?
Don't you think it is high time that unscrupulous preachers are held to some basic moral standard as they engage in their day to day business? Abuse of th by 'e congregation by Babas' is happening a lot...even in my community and members of the congregation are crying rightly and outloud.....ENOUGH!....and showing them the door.
Panthic Weekly is reflecting the sangat's outrage. Newstime or print is never wasted if it alerts the sangat of such charlatans!
If the people keep after such frauds, change will occur in one form or another. One day, this issue of corrupt parcharaks (travelling preachers) and Babas will be addressed and dwelt swiftly with. For example the UAE Sangat did just that.... they shut out one of these 'Baba' on their own....due to what?....his documented history or lewd immoral conduct towards female sangat members and his conduct in front of the Guru.....good for them!!
This is not about making anyone look bad for the sheer delight of it. It is not slander to tell the truth! If someone looks good on the outside to the public but his or her acts are heinous then what does it serve just to look good to society! Does the Sangat not deserve more? If someone does not address public outrage at abuse and corruption by such people who will?
Does not the sangat deserve safe parcharaks, ragis (hymn singers) etc...as much as they deserve safe teachers for their children, honest police officers who don't victimize women or beat people senseless and doctors and nurses who don't abuse their patients? Don't you think someone who holds a position of public trust, such as is also held by any clergy, has a greater burden to cherish, honor and protect that trust. The answer is a resounding ....YES!!
We don't know about you but we pain over helpless victims of abuse in our Gurdwaras as much as we agonize when we hear anyone of an abuse victim anywhere else.
When a tankhah (sanction) is given, either severe or mild, it is done for the person's good and advancement. It is meant to bring that person to heel, to beat on one's conscience. It is never meant to degrade or destroy anyone. When someone is excommunicated, it is only because of issues of protracted unacceptable conduct. The person had been warned many times over years or asked to appear to explain conduct already. Despite this, the person continues to behave badly. Even then, if a Sikh asks for forgiveness, he or she is lovingly brought back to the Sikh fold.
It is good that that you do so much patth (prayer recitation) and seva (loosely...service).
Please do Ardas (supplication), think of your loving female or child relatives hoping they are secure, that the sangat be served by credible individuals who are honest, good, of stainless character to do the seva that needs to be done. Chances are if these brutes are running around, none of you family is safe either.
- Editors, Panthic Weekly
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