Chandigarh: A North American Sikh delegation has arrived in Punjab to attend the November 10 Sarbat Khalsa. Members of the delegation today addressed a press conference at Press Club Chandigarh. They said that around hundred Sikh organizations and Sikh Gurdwara managements had resolved for limited and conditional participation in the Sarbat Khalsa 2015. They said that the delegation will be a witness to the 10 Nov. Sarbat Khalsa and said that their participation was subject to the condition that decision taken on 10 Nov. gathering should be ‘interim’ in nature and the process to hold Sarbat Khalsa on Vaisakhi should be initiated in clear and solid terms.
North American Sikh Delegates address a press conference at Chandigarh
The delegation members also release a written press release, which reads as follows:
Press Note
6 Nov 2015
A delegation of North American Sikhs (NAS) arrived in Panjab on behalf of 100 Sikh organizations of Canada and USA. Its members include Harinder Singh, Manjit Singh Uppal, Manjit Singh Brar, Resham Singh, and Yadwinder Singh. The delegation is here for two sole purposes: dialogue on how to establish independent Akal Takhat Sahib and revive Sarbat Khalsa tradition. These two aforesaid objectives were the direct outcomes of a day long deliberation amongst diverse Sikh organizations on 31 Oct in Yuba City, California at North American Sikh Summit where a consent was manufactured through open and
civil dialogue.
The NAS delegation is part of the Diaspora Sikh voices committed to dialogue, and they bring the same intentions to Panjab. Harinder Singh, delegation coordinator, shared: “The decisions of Akal Takhat Sahib and its Jathedars affect all Sikhs globally, and for that matter alone, we want to assert the inclusion of global Sikh sangats in the process.” They will meet various Sikh groups in context of the Sarbat Khalsa due to be held on 10 Nov. The immediate task is to play vibe‐checker role in appointment of the Jathedars with procedural integrity: nominated Jatherdars should be interim till Vaisakhi 2016.
NAS hope to work with synergistic forces to draft a plan by April 2016 that outlines a structure of independent Akal Takhat Sahib, free from the influence of any state or political party, where authority is invoked only from the Ten Nanaks, Guru Nanak‐Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. Akal Takhat Sahib offices must support the Panthak strategic vision and operational functions, including consultative committees to advise Jathedars to assure implementation of the Gurmatas (decree on behalf of the Guru) and hukamnamas (edicts). This system should also lay down procedure for calling and conducting Sarbat Khalsa that includes mechanism to address the voices and concerns of 30 million global Sikhs. Sound legal and financial system that supports Akal Takhat Sahib and Jathedars to stay focused on Panthak mandates in a transparent and accountable manner is also desired. Procedure for selection and termination of the Five Jathedars, their roles and responsibilities, especially the decision making process should also be clearly stated as per Guru Granth Sahib’s doctrines and worldview.
The NAS delegation will be a witness to the 10 Nov Sarbat Khalsa. It intends to fully document and report the processes followed and the deliberations held from now till that day. Its primary objective remains to be a Diaspora Sikh voice amongst many voices that constitute the Panth. “NAS encourages representation from all Sikh Jathebandis; youth, women and disenfranchised groups to actively participate and enlarge both our sensitivities and sensibilities,” remarked Harinder Singh.
Issued by,
Harinder Singh on behalf of NAS delegation
ALSO WATCH VIDEO of the Press Conference: North America Sikh Delegates hold Press Conference on Sarbat Khalsa Issue (Video)