Sarbat Khalsa 2015

[DSG]

Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa Wahe Guru Ji Ke Fateh

It is FANTASTIC to see the Sikhs gathering in Punjab , The Khalsa as awakened !!! May waheguru make it successful

Source http://sarbatkhalsausa.com/faq/

Please see below some questions and answers regarding SARBAT KHALSA 

 

1.      What is Sarbat Khalsa ?

The words by themselves mean the following:

Sarbat means whole or entire.

 Khalsa is the entire body of committed Sikhs (those who have partaken in Khande di Pahul / Amrit Sanchar). (as defined in the sikh rehat maryada, approved by Khalsa Panth worldwide in 1925)

 These two words together have a dual connotation. In conceptual sense it is the extension of sangat, holy congregation, and institution which has been eulogized in the Sikh Scripture as symbolizing GodSarbat Khalsa in this sense is a mystic entity representing the “integrated conscience” of the entire Sikh people imbued with the all pervasive spirit of the Guru. (This is denoted Guru Panth Sahib Ji) Own presence (GG.460,1314, B35).

Sarbat Khalsa in this sense is a mystic entity representing the “integrated conscience” of the entire Sikh people imbued with the all pervasive spirit of the Guru. (This is denoted Guru Panth Sahib Ji) -Online Sikh Encyclopedia

1.      2. What is Guru Panth ?

Rehat Maryada: Section Six

Article XXIII – Panth’s Status of Guru-hood

a. The Guru Panth (Panth’s status of Guruhood) means the whole body of committed baptized Sikhs [Khalsa]. This body was fostered by all the ten Gurus and the tenth Guru gave it its final shape and invested it with Guruhood.
This corporate entity is the Panth. Every Sikh has also to fulfill his obligations as a unit of the corporate body, the Panth.

“Khalsa is the body of the Guru, and the bani (Guru Granth Sahib) his soul. The Panth conducting its spiritual and temporal affairs in the spirit of the bani also assumes the form of the Guru. Independent of the bani, however, the Khalsa is not entitled to this status”.

-Mahan Kosh Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha

In practice the doctrine means that the body of the Panth has to take decisions on temporal matters dealing with a situation prevailing at a particular time strictly following the spiritual principles laid down in Guru Granth Sahib to carry out the will of God or sarbat da bhala.”
“In the twin doctrine of ‘Guru Granth – Guru Panth’, the two components have a complementary relationship with a distinct role assigned to each. For effective functioning of body and soul, they have to act together.

-Guru Granth-Guru Panth, Dr. Kharak Singh

2.  3.     What does Sarbat Khalsa Do ?

Sarbat Khalsa is the process for deliberation and an ultimate venue for creating Gurmata (Guru’s words) and is the embodiment of Guru Panth Sahib Ji. “The gurumata was usually organized on the occasion of Baisakhi or Diwali at Amritsar and was considered to be morally binding on all Sikhs since it was seen as an application of the Guru Granth-Guru Panth or miri–piri doctrine” (Sikhism 71).

” …Sarbat Khalsa is the highest organ of the Khalsa Commonwealth representing its “integrated will”, which no Sikh-commoner, sardar or prince – could dare defy. Sarbat Khalsa, meeting in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib, is the supreme sovereign body, with deliberative and executive powers, including authority to direct affairs of the community. The Sarbat Khalsa discussed and took decisions by common counsel upon matters of policy and upon matters requiring urgent action.”

-The Encyclopedia of Sikhism, Volume IV, Punjabi University Patiala, 1998

It is the unique Sikh mode of democracy where majority rules mentality does not exist and there is no voting. Decisions are only made unanimously. Only the minimum everyone agrees to can be accepted.

When resolutions are passed, they are called a Gurmatta. A Gurmatta is understood as the words or will of the Guru. After a Gurmatta is passed, an action plan is created to implement the Gurmatta.

Gurmattas are passed for major policy decisions of the Panth.

3.       4. Who can attend Sarbat Khalsa?

The entire Sikh Panth can attend. Anyone who identifies as Sikh, based on the definition of a Sikh taken straight from Sikh Rehat Maryada:

Article I – Definition of Sikh

Any human being who faithfully believes in:

The baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion, is a Sikh
The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus
The Guru Granth Sahib
Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to Guru Gobind Singh
One Immortal Being

4.    5   What is the process of sarbat khalsa? Is it basically wrong

Anyone in the Sikh Panth, defined as a Sikh according to Sikh Rehat Maryada, submits a written proposal that has a resolution and a plan of action or just a resolution alone. The resolution is deliberated.

The proposal or resolution must be given approval by Sri Guru Panth, which is the Khalsa. The entire body of the Khalsa has to approve it in accordance with the spiritual teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Maharaj. This is deliberated and only the minimum everyone agrees to passes after thorough consensus of all involved.

There is no voting in terms of a majority decision. It is about unanimous decisions of the Khalsa, according to teachings of Guru Granth Sahib Maharaj. Once the resolution has reached consensus, the resolution is deemed Gurmatta or words of the Guru. Then an action plan is created to carry out the Gurmatta.

5.       6. Where does sarbat khalsa happen?

Historical sources seem to agree it used to happen at the site of Sri Akal Takht Sahib within the Darbar Sahib complex. This may be due to the nature of the historical geographic location of the Sikh population at the time and the historical understanding of Darbar Sahib as the central location for national meetings. There is no evidence of a political or spiritual law/rule necessitating that sarbat khalsa meetings happen there perpetually.

6.     7.   How do you make sure someone prioritize the interest of the Panth?

h   This passage best answers this: “the atmosphere of freedom which prevailed in the ranks of the Khalsa prevented soldiers from harboring secret opinions and private reservations which fostered unity and raised morale.”

-Sword of the Khalsa, Arjun Dass Mallik

There were no secrets. If you could not fully explain your intentions when they were in question, then you were harboring a secret.  This implies you are not giving yourself completely to the Panth, which is a requirement for participation.

7.       8. When does Sarbat Khalsa happen?

Sarbat Khalsa last occurred in 1986.  Since Guru Ram Das Sahib’s time though, an all Sikh meeting took place twice a year: on Vasaikhi and Divali.  This was because both of these occasions were aligned with the agricultural cycle, making it the the two times of the year when people could collectively meet.

When the Khalsa was established, these two occasions became the dates for Sarbat Khalsa. Sarbat Khalsa used to happen twice a year and stopped when Maharaja Ranjit Singh consolidated power into the Sikh Empire.

8.       9. Who can call a Sarbat Khalsa?

Historically, after the creation of the Khalsa, the Jathedar or head Granthi of Akal Takht did this but at other points in history it’s unclear who called it. The times it is unclear are times where the Khalsa are scattered/being persecuted.

Prior to the Khalsa, it was a well established procedure for Sikh Sangats to meet on Vasaikhi and Divali.  By the time the Khalsa was created, it was understood that the Khalsa automatically would get together at that point. Outside of these automatic meetings, Sarbat Khalsa was also called for emergencies and urgent actions.

9.       10. The Sarbat Khalsa on November 10^th was not called by a Jatedar.Does this make a call for Sarbat Khalsa illegitimate?

this is a special circumstance for two reasons:No 

1) The Sarbat Khalsa was called specifically to address the appointment of Jathedars of the Takhts including Akal Takht. Currently, the Jathedars are not appointed by Sarbat Khalsa, which is how it is supposed to be. This came about because the Jathedars are not performing their duties from the perspective of Guru Panth.  Hence, this is sort of a “vote of no confidence” or impeachment.

2) It is a revival of the true form of Khalsa deliberation which is supposed to happen at least twice a year but has not kept to this process in a very long time.

1  10.   Can the Jatedar or Akal Takht veto the calling of Sarbat Khalsa?

No, they cannot do so.  The Jathedar of Akal Takht or even the Jathedars of the current 5 Takhts do not have the authority to veto the call for a Sarbat Khalsa.  The authority ultimately lies with Guru Panth. The function of the Jathedars is to be the representatives and servants of the Panth.

Historically, Jathedars did not issue hukamnamas, but simply read the hukamnama arrived at through the consensus of the Sarbat Khalsa. Jathedars in recent times have increasingly tried to make their personal power greater than what it is intended to be.  This has happened due to a lack of checks and balances over the years, due to Sarbat Khalsa deliberations no longer happening on a regular basis.

1  11. How can the Sikhs and the Khalsa conduct a Sarbat Khalsa given their worldwide locations?

At the moment Sarbat Khalsa will require everyone to go to one location or have a representative on their behalf go that they personally chose who represents them fully. It is entirely possible that someone who lives in Canada can see that there is a Sikh in New Zealand going, who holds the same views, and that would work fine. Each representative won’t be treated differently according to how many people they are representing since majority does not matter in Sarbat Khalsa form of democratic deliberation.

Sikh Sangats should also consider the technology of the times and create a committee of technologically literate, committed Sikh individuals, to figure how to make a global virtual Sarbat Khalsa possible.

1 12.  If a sangat from one particular geographic location submits a resolution, is it considered to be binding on all Sikh sangats?

No. The only resolutions that apply to all Sikhs are those passed through a Sarbat Khalsa that is representative of all Sikhs across the world. Resolutions passed in a particular Sangat only apply to that Sangat. Otherwise resolutions would be passed on the whole Panth without representation from the whole Panth.

[DSG]

TARN TARAN, Punjab—The gathering of Sarbat Khalsa 2015 at Gurdwara Baba Naudh Singh today announced appointment of new Jathedars –

• Jathedar Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara – Akal Takht Sahib (Bhai Dhyan Singh Mand as acting Jathedar on Bhai Hawara’s behalf)
• Jathedar Bhai Amrik Singh Ajnala – Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib
• Jathedar Bhai Baljit Singh Daduwal – Takht Sri Damdama Sahib

Appointment of the new Jathedars was accepted by shouts of jaikaras by the Sikh Sangat.  New jathedars are appointed until Vaisakhi 2016.  

A number of other key resolutions were taken –

1. Giani Gurbachan Singh, Giani Mal Singh, Giani Gurmukh Singh and Giani Iqbal Singh absolved of duties
2. KP Gill and KS Brar have been deemed as “tankhaeeye” (guilty) for their role in the Sikh Genocide.  These have been asked to appear at Akal Takht Sahib by November 30, 2015
3. Faqr-E-Qaum & Panth Ratan titles have been taken away from Badal, and Makkar is relieved from his title of Shiromani Sevak
4. Starting from November 30 2015, there will be a pursuit for an International Sikh Parliament to represent the Global Sikhs.  Committee will be drafted of Punjab and diaspora Sikhs
5. Denounce desecration and punish perpetrators who do beadbi of Guru Granth Sahib
6. Free political prisoners from Punjab and other struggles such as Kashmir. Sarbat Khalsa recognizes Sikh political prisoners as assets of the Sikh Nation and recognizes Bapu Surat Singh’s plight
7. SGPC will be revised to be democratic
8. Sikhs must refrain from all internal scriptural debates until Akal Takht Sahib is independent.
9. Solidify a sovereign Sikh calendar
10. Vatican like status for Sri Harmandir Sahib where all Sikhs could visit without problems
11. Reaffirm the resolutions adopted by Sarbat Khalsa of 1986
12. Caste Based gurdwaras are to be stopped globally
13. All Sikhs must adopt all resolutions in letter and spirit

[kdsingh80]

The sikh population is down 1.7% , this is biggest challenge , What Sarbat Khalsa is saying about this issue?

[DSG]

good point, hopefully a full plan on how to tackle the issues in Punjab will be discussed and actions released , one of them the drug use killing the next generation, farmers suicide, girl fetocide killing etc.. a clean and healthy Punjab which will obviously be the long term goal. But lets pray that it is a success. 

[SAadmin]

I won't totally discount sarbat khalsa gathering. In my view, only real benefit came from it was sense of unity sikhs from all walks of life coming together against badal. Sarbat khalsa proof to be positive overall, which sway wind direction against badal - massive negative public opnion against badal on mass scale. If we keep with up this momentum until next punjab election it would be quite useful.

 

As far as new jathedars coming from sarbat khalsa. Beside symbolic gesture it has no real significance  in real punjab situation. Before dusk next day, everyone is arrested after a month or two people will forget them. You cannot fight badal with token appointments/mere symbolism.

 

 In other words, replacing jathedars right left and center is not the root solution and has no real impact in punjab because root is replacing badal. Unfortunately, it would have adverse affect as its distraction from real goal as sikhs again be attached with jathedars rather than looking at the bigger picture, looking at the root again there will divisive politics at all fronts. 

 

Those new jathedars are not badal bought quite the contrary but like it or not , these new jathedars are definitely pawn in badal/rss bigger chess game. Thats the whole point of chess game, pawns usually don't realize they are being played in the hands of master. If they realize they are not the pawns then

 

Sarbat khalsa would be more useful if they would have announced/endorsed bhai jarnail singh (aam admi) or someone equilavent to stand up against badal in next election and build up monumentum from there as it would be perfect time to start campaign.

 

This gathering was big missed opportunity hopefully in april we smarten up by then. Main thing is keeping up the  momentum  we should not loose the  momentum  (now those jathedars are arrested we are again forced to loose the  momentum ). However, with registered - campaign for next election they cannot really arrest someone , we should really think in terms of endorsement of aam admi party or someone equivalent for next sarbat khalsa.

[DSG]

Some good points

I think the jatedar that are appointed are basically kaums Voice , my understanding is that the MATA that have been listed , proper plans will be produced , step by step guides on how to tackle them , new ones added etc according to Gurmat and Dhan Dhan Sir Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

Each individual can comment, suggest on the MATA and collectively get a concrete plan which can be followed , obviously will take time but this is where the scholars, politicians, professionals need to get together.

Hopefully its not just propaganda , and we are back to square one. I 100% agree we should not loose momentum

[SAadmin]

Quote

 I 100% agree we should not loose momentum

We need to realize that what punjab gov't is doing make us loose momentum. They arrested new jathedars temporary for few weeks and then they will release them- hoping sarbat khalsa waters down breaks the momentum, but with election campaign they cannot really do that.

We need to think big, we are so gullible we get attached to these small pointers - jathedars not look at the root. There is already divisions on appointment on jathedars, sikhs are divided once again.

[DSG]

Quote

There is already divisions on appointment on jathedars, sikhs are divided once again.

 

can you please expand on this ?

The Badal clan and government are no doubt going to cause unnecessary barriers , false propaganda, false convictions , As one guy said when someone in India does "kabja" on your property how hard is it to evict them .... the same is for the Badal Clan , will be difficult to evict them , but the sangat will achieve this.

They have up to 30th November to follow up the MATA and put in some substance behind the points.

But it is still unclear who is doing what at this point i..e in punjab, in UK , in europe , in America, in Canada  , in Austrailia what will be their role , how will their voice be portrayed to the workforce .  

 

[chatanga1]

On 11/11/2015, 08:13:37, kdsingh80 said:

The sikh population is down 1.7% , this is biggest challenge , What Sarbat Khalsa is saying about this issue?

All in good time. Sarbat Khalsa is not going to eliminate every problem in it's first sitting.

It has made a good start in asking for the end of caste-based Gurdwaras and cremation grounds.

[chatanga1]

Organisers of the Sarbat Khalsa have been charged with sedition by Panjab Police on orders of Sukhbir Badal.

 

There were slogans of Khalistan in the meeting which has prompted Badal to get Amritsar Police to initiate charges against the organisers, even though the Supreme Court of this india country has already decreed that the Sikhs can peacefully conduct the Khalistan movement and raising slogans of it, is not against the law.

 

I hope Panjabs Sikhs have learnt their lesson over voting this guy in.

 

https://www.sikh24.com/2015/11/14/usa-resident-harinder-singh-charged-with-sedition-by-punjab-govt-after-sarbat-khalsa/#.Vkoeg7_YH4c

[DSG]

The Badal Clan are getting so desperate but the sad part is they can do whatever they want without anyone questioning them.

I was listening to following debate on BBC Radio London  http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0375l1r about Modi's visit to the UK. One of the panelists said that Punjab is under Badal control , the PM cannot interject / overrule Badal's actions. I find this hard to believe , is this correct ? 

If so then does this mean Punjab is in effect a separate state anyway ,but with the wrong leaders ?

Also allegations made against UK gurdwaras and Sikh individuals by Modi to UK PM , that they are making bombs , and sikh individuals are fuelling radicalisation http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/PMO-Warned-of-Sikh-Extremism-in-UK/2015/11/12/article3124258.ece1

 

[kdsingh80]

2 hours ago, DSG said:

The Badal Clan are getting so desperate but the sad part is they can do whatever they want without anyone questioning them.

I was listening to following debate on BBC Radio London  http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0375l1r about Modi's visit to the UK. One of the panelists said that Punjab is under Badal control , the PM cannot interject / overrule Badal's actions. I find this hard to believe , is this correct ? 

If so then does this mean Punjab is in effect a separate state anyway ,but with the wrong leaders ?

Also allegations made against UK gurdwaras and Sikh individuals by Modi to UK PM , that they are making bombs , and sikh individuals are fuelling radicalisation http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/PMO-Warned-of-Sikh-Extremism-in-UK/2015/11/12/article3124258.ece1

 

PM in India cannot overrule  each and every action of state. Infact if situation get out of control central govt can bring down state govt only if majority in parliament support it.

Majority of leaders in India want to become Chief minister rather than joining central govt as Chief minister is seen as king or queen 

[DSG]

who provides funding to the state govt?

[kdsingh80]

15 hours ago, DSG said:

who provides funding to the state govt?

1) State govts have their own taxes 

2) State govts get share in central taxes.

Actually Modi Govt is much more generous in this than Congress govt

Quote

Boost for Modi's federalism: 42% of taxes collected will go to states

http://www.firstpost.com/business/boost-for-modis-federalism-42-of-taxes-collected-will-go-to-states-2118259.html

 Center is now sharing 42 percent tax than the earlier 32 percent

[DSG]

Some interesting points , so based on the above my understanding is that the Punjab state is more or less self sufficient in the sense what it can and cannot do is in the hands of the CM (Badal). If he is not playing ball , and having the best interests of the people in Punjab , he can be overruled by the majority in parliament. ( has this not been done ?)

It sounds like , the current Punjab can be a separate state already  if you have the right leaders.( So do they control the use of electricity ?) But saying that I still find it hard to believe that the central government not controlling the state of Punjab in terms of having a big stake of what can and cannot be done. Especially with the recent events in Punjab , I havent seen any central government minister / PM speak up about the events , but rather the PM on his UK visit making allegations against certain Sikh individuals  about insiting hatred and radicalisation. 

Also the recent case in a government school in Dehli , where a teacher said to the students Sikh and Muslim holy scriptures are false ,Hinduism is the way and when the sikh girl stood up and defended her fellow colleagues she was beaten and  the acting head defended the teacher and then stated the teacher had  mental issues. ( This was shown in the Sikh channel earlier this week). So its hard to believe.  Some one must be instigating these acts.

[DSG]

30th November suppose to be the day when the committee members are chosen a structure setup in order implement the "MATA" that were setup on 10th November.bn

I havent heard anything further on any media channels or on the net. Is the momentum slowing down / come to a stand still ?

[amardeep]

Im also wondering what has happened since early november.

[Guest xylitol]

The best updates on Sikhi in India that I have found are from Bhai Kamajeet Singh Shaheedsar on facebook.

[kdsingh80]

19 hours ago, amardeep said:

Im also wondering what has happened since early november.

are you people expecting some type of uprising?

[SAadmin]

2 hours ago, kdsingh80 said:

are you people expecting some type of uprising?

 

I am not as only way i think uprising could take place is through political electoral means. Badal and congress has to go from punjab, time for new fresh party- aam admi should be given a chance to run punjab as they have done amazing job in delhi.

[kdsingh80]

5 hours ago, N30 S!NGH said:

 

I am not as only way i think uprising could take place is through political electoral means. Badal and congress has to go from punjab, time for new fresh party- aam admi should be given a chance to run punjab as they have done amazing job in delhi.

I live in NCR region of Delhi , what good job AAP is doing.AAP is just like other party , don't expect any major changes , also AAP is dominated by liberals so don't expect Big turban , khulla daara politicians ,their leaders will be like Bhagwant mann,  and there is good chance that many of AAP supporters are not going to be pro sant samaj  , DDT . Are orthodox sikh communnity ready to accept this?

[DSG]

I would have thought after the 10th and then 30th some kind of structure in place with appointed people who have the right credentials to fulfil the tasks/MATA to be setup. I think Sikhs are ready and waiting to accept anyone who is sincere and have the good attentions of the kaum in order to move forward, to wake up Punjab, make it a better place to live, work,seek justice etc... If that process means seeking help,guidance or joining AAP or setting up an individual party then so be it.

If the newly appointed Jatedars are "shutdown" surely there should have been ( or even is) a backup office working on the agenda.

   

[chatanga1]

The Sarbat Khalsa program seems to have come to an end. The criminal Panjab Govt have arrested or neutralised any opposition to it. There is no news about it on tv/media. It is being painted as a political move rather than a religious move, and the core issues seem to have been forgotten about beadbi of Guru Granth Sahib.

[DSG]

There was a programme on yesterday on Akaal channel (

World Human Rights Day conference in Chandigarh (Dec. 10, 2015)

Justice markande katyu on Current Situation of Punjab & talking against corruption, land mafia, tv mafia & Gunda raaj by current government in punjab.

 

https://www.facebook.com/akaalchannel843/videos/1085678304778043/?theater

 

 

 

 

[chatanga1]

DSG, I watched part of that program as well. Kanwar Sandhu was talking about how the institutions of the country all failed to perform their duty.