Chanting to interrupt katha violates Sikh code of conduct, says MGC

| Letter | Malaysia | 2 March 2017 | Asia Samachar |

Continuing chanting when a katha (Sikh-based lecture or a talk) is about to begin is a transgression of the Sikh Reht Maryada (SRM), says Malaysian Gurdwara Council (MGC).

“But when the Katha was to start and the chanting is continued, it becomes a disruption as the planned programme cannot go on and this is also a transgression of the Sikh Rehat Maryada which provides: Sanggat vich ek wakat eko gall honi chaiyeh – Kirtan Ja Katha Vakhyan Ja Pathh (ਕੀਰਤਨ ਜਾਂ ਕਥਾ ਵਖਿਆਨ ਜਾਂ ਪਾਠ),” the Kuala Lumpur based organisation said in a statement today.

A letter dated 2 March 2017 and entitled ‘MGC condemns act of BEADBI at Gurdwara Sahib’ was sent out to all gurdwaras in Malaysia. A copy was also sent to Asia Samachar.

On 1 March 2017, a group of Sikhs, believed to be largely from Kuala Lumpur, disrupted a planned speaking engagement by Prof Inder Singh Ghagaa at Gurdwara Sahib Greentown (Ashby Road) in Ipoh, Perak by chanting ‘Satnam Waheguru’.

When the programme ended, Inder the gurdwara vice president Jagjit Singh were attacked by some people, causing their turbans to be removed.

LETTER FROM MALAYSIAN GURDWARAS COUNCIL

02^nd March 2017

To All Gurdwaras

The President, Gurdwara Sahib

……………………………………………….

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Re: MGC condemns act of BEADBI at Gurdwara Sahib

The Sanggat is well aware that at the end of the programme at Gurdwara Sahib Ashby Road yesterday night (1-03-2017) some 2-3 youths assaulted Professor Ghagga Ji in the Darbar Sahib resulting in Prof’s dastar thrown off. A guru ka Sikh cannot commit such an act in the Darbar of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and this assault is to be condemned by all Sikhs. More so as the victim involved is an elderly person, as Sikhs do not attack women, children and elderly.

The Gurbani tells us:

Ang 1114: Satgur agay sees bhet deyo je Satgur sachay bhavay

Ang 41: Bin Satgur palay na pavay manmukh rehay billaiye : oi Satgur aagey na nivay ona anter krod billaiye

The Gurbani clearly tells us that when in Darbar Sahib, one must bow in reverence and not act with krod and manmat.

The facts show that earlier on, in the Sanggat were also present senior officials of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Academy as reported by eye-witnesses, Asia Samachar and confirmed by the various videos of the occasion. There was then chanting of Satnam, which ordinarily should be encouraged. But when the Katha was to start and the chanting is continued, it becomes a disruption as the planned programme cannot go on and this is also a transgression of the Sikh Rehat Maryada which provides : –

Sanggat vich ek wakat eko gall honi chaiyeh – Kirtan Ja Katha Vakhyan Ja Pathh (ਕੀਰਤਨ ਜਾਂ ਕਥਾ ਵਖਿਆਨ ਜਾਂ ਪਾਠ).

The person who assaulted Prof. Ji on arrest, will be subject to Police interrogation and for Police to establish whether he acted on instigation or was alone.

We understand Prof. Ji was on an invitation by an organization although it was not Malaysian Gurdwara Council (MGC). Gurdwara Parbhandaks to note that a lot of lies are being spread by some malicious groups to malign MGC. All these lies should be ignored by the Parbandhaks.

The Total memberships of all the Gurdwaras affiliated to MGC are more than 30,000. Thus Sanggat must unite and support the Gurdwara Parbandhaks against such Taliban attacks in the Darbar of a Gurdwara.

Dhanwad

SIGNED

……………………….

Jagir Singh

President, Malaysian Gurdwaras Council

[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]

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