SNSM AGM: Compromise or treachery?

| LETTER | MALAYSIA |

To concerned members of Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia.

The last Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM) annual general meeting (AGM) in July 2018 was indeed a compromise.

I) Some 9 individuals were taken in as a compromise. A few months later ALL 9 quit and their names were printed on a single resignation letter, clearly showing it’s a collaborated effort to usurp and undermine the operation of our panthic organisation. All of them have a backround/influence of Bachitar Natak Granth (BNG) / Dasam Granth (DG), Yog matt, Deravaad, etc. Thus they are bent on seizing control of SNSM through the back door.

Outwardly they claim to be Sikh Rehat Maryada (S.R.M.) proponents, but in actuality they do not accept SRM. Instead, they are actively promoting BNG/DG and working in-hand with another deviant organisation. Just a few days after the AGM, their true intentions were exposed. These 9 exco members were instrumental in getting SNSM to issue letter dated 18 July, 2018 under heading ‘Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia Reaffirms Sri Akal Takht’s stand on Dasam Granth’.

II) The SNSM letter raises a question as to how BNG/DG could be ‘Kachee Banee’. This suggests that it is “Gurbani” (Bani of the Guru) and therefore equal to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This is a blasphemous stand and is rejected in SGGS (ang 920):

ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਬਿਨਾ ਹੋਰ ਕਚੀ ਹੈ ਬਾਣੀ ॥

satguroo binaa hor kachee hai banee.

The Bani (Scriptures, Hymns) not composed or approved by the Gurus is merely an ordinary, untrue poetry (False songs related to the worldly attachments with no spirituality in them, nothing about God. There is hypocrisy, the writer’s deeds and preaching are different. It has no effect of the high deeds and spiritual strength of the Gurus. It is not revealed: not from God).

ਬਾਣੀ ਤ ਕਚੀ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਬਾਝਹੁ ਹੋਰ ਕਚੀ ਬਾਣੀ ॥

banee ta kachee satguroo baajhahu hor kachee banee.

The Bani (Hymns) not belonging to the True Guru is false, (Believe it) it is untrue. (Such Hymns are about the worldly things, with no spirituality and the effect of the high deeds of the Guru, nothing about God, not revealed i.e. not got from God. There is hypocrisy in this, the writer’s deeds and preaching are different).

ਕਹਦੇ ਕਚੇ ਸੁਣਦੇ ਕਚੇ ਕਚੀਬ਼ ਆਖਿ ਵਖਾਣੀ ॥

kahday kachay sunday kachay kacheeN aakh vakhaanee.

Without the Guru all others who compose the so-called “Bani,” (Scriptures) are false: not God-Oriented, and those who listen to such compositions are untrue as well (Attached to the worldly things).

ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਿਤ ਕਰਹਿ ਰਸਨਾ ਕਹਿਆ ਕਛੂ ਨ ਜਾਣੀ ॥

har-e har-e nit karahi rasnaa kahi-aa kachhoo na jaanee.

With their tongues, they continuously chant God’s Name, but do not know what they say. (They are hypocrites, do not practice what they preach).

ਚਿਤੁ ਜਿਨ ਕਾ ਹਿਰਿ ਲਇਆ ਮਾਇਆ ਬੋਲਨਿ ਪਏ ਰਵਾਣੀ ॥

chit jin kaa hir la-i-aa maa-i-aa bolan pa-ay ravaanee.

Those won over by the worldly attachments, go on talking fast, (without understanding anything, reciting mechanically about God and His Name, thinking they are composing Bani).

ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਬਾਝਹੁ ਹੋਰ ਕਚੀ ਬਾਣੀ ॥੨੪॥

kahai naanak satguroo baajhahu hor kachee banee. ||24||

Says Nanak, Bani (Hymns) composed by anyone other than the True Guru, is false. ||24||

SATGURU here refers to the shabad, that is Gurbani as enshrined in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib as well as sanctioned and approved by the 10 Gurus. This decision cannot be questioned by anyone. Thus, these 9 individual’s claim that BNG/DG is not Kachee Bani contradicts the teachings of SGGS.

They are openly challenging S.R.M. Akaal Thakt, SGPC and Gurmattas which state as follows:-

a) The S.R.M. does not make any reference to “Dasam Granth” or “Bachitar Natak Granth” at all;

b) S.R.M. accepts only Jaap Sahib, ten Sawaiyas and Benti Chaupai which are also found in BNG/DG to be recited, which is just 30 pages of BNG/DG’s 1,428 pages. (ref. S.R.M. – Ceremony of Baptism, Article XXIV page 37);

c) Akaal Takht GURMATTA-1 itself refers to BNG/DG writings as Rachnava (compositions / writings) and NOT Bani. The Rachnavas accepted from BNG/DG and included in the S.R.M. as NITNEM and Sikh Initiation are Jaap, 10 Sawayyas and Benti Chaupai. However this Gurmatta-1 does not in any way say it is Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Banee – only refers to them as Rachnavas which are accepted from BNG/DG.

d) That DG is part of Sikh Literature and History (Saahit and Itihaas) BUT it cannot be given equal status as SGGS Ji, as stated in Gurmatta 1 of 6 June 2008;

e) SGPC and Akaal Takht approved resolution No. 366723 dated 4 Aug 1973 states “eh dasmesh bani nahi” (that Charitropakyan which is included in DG is not Dasmesh Banee. It is “puratan Hindu mithiasak sakhian da utara hai” (these are translations of ancient Hindu Mythological tales). The main contents of BNG/DG are:

• Charitropakyan – 579 pages, more than 1/3 of DG covers obscene phonographic viles of women.
• Chaubis Avtar – 554 pages covers 24 incarnations of Vishnu;

III. SNSM’s original position, as stated in ‘Naujawan Sabha stands by teachings of Shabad Guru, SGGS, guided by SRM, abiding Akaal Takht hukamnamas‘ (Asia Samachar (25 May 2017), is totally opposed to SNSM’s letter dated 28 July 2018. The earlier position is clearly in line with S.R.M. and Gurmatta 1 as follows:-

“The entire Sikh Panth be informed that Sri Dasam Granth is an integral part of Sikh literature and history but Guru Gobind Singh ji did not recognize it as being equal to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji”.

Therefore BNG/DG is not Guru. So it is NOT Gurbani. SNSM’s letter of 18 July 2018 [see here] contradicts this openly.

IV. SNSM’s letter dated 18 July 2018 included a critical clause of S.R.M. that was wrongly translated in English to mislead members, particularly the youth, who may be less proficient in Punjabi.

V. It is commonly known to all that a few resolutions have been submitted for the coming AGM to be held on 29.6.2019 at Sabha House. One resolution deals with BNG/DG and others are in support of S.R.M. and Akal Takhat. Other than the DG resolution, the remaining resolutions pertain to matters which are personal to Sabha members and matters which have never been questioned by any SNSM member. Therefore, the resolutions are misplaced and should not be debated or considered. They appear to be ‘red herrings’.

VI. ALL SNSM members should attend this coming AGM and reject the resolutions on DG since it is in violation of SGGSJ, S.R.M, Akal Takht, SGPC Gurmattas. More importantly, members should reject any and all attempts to drag SNSM, which is a youth body, into this very dangerous and divisive dispute on DG. The act of forcing SNSM to issue the letter dated 18 July 2018 and now proposing these resolutions is not only irresponsible and inflammatory, it also diverts SNSM from its core objectives and purpose.

As Sikhs, we should leave this very complex issue for the Panth, in the form of Sarbat Khalsa, to decide.

Appeal from:

Concerned Life Members of Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia

RELATED STORY:

SNSM chief speaks out on incessant attacks (Asia Samachar, 12 March 2019)

Hawkish fatwa  (Asia Samachar, 23 July 2018)

Disgruntled members threaten to oust SNSM jathedar (Asia Samachar, 22 Feb 2019)

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