A recent video on social media has gone viral showing a young unelected Sikh male arguing with the Deputy High Commissioner (DHC) of India and that too in front of the congregation of the Shephard Bush Gurdwara, London W12. This needless to say, has shocked the viewers. He was trying to stop the DHC from paying his respect to the Sikh Gurus. The DHC was subjected to an unprovoked ordeal, but he behaved in a dignified manner throughout and left the Gurdwara peacefully. Banning Indian diplomats from any Gurdwara will prove counterproductive for Sikhs at large. Many Sikhs will stop going to Gurdwara if they become places of politics instead of worship. Besides, in some parts of the world, more non Sikhs attend Gurdwaras than the Sikhs and also contributes to the upkeep of Gurdwaras like the rest.
The behaviour of the young man in question is totally against the teachings of the Sikh Gurus who stood for unity and love for all. Our Gurus ensured that every Sikh Gurdwara has four doors to welcome people from every direction, every faith and diversity. Our Langar ( communal kitchen) bears testament to this fact where people from every race and faith are welcome.
The Sikh Gurus in fact stood up against tyranny and injustice and for this man to stand up against the representative of a democratically elected Government official of India is a total disgrace. Our Gurus never imposed their will upon others unlike this man. Bhai Kanhaiya, a disciple of Guru Gobind Singh Ji even offered medical aid to the enemy combatants and that is the real Sikh spirit.
The simple fact about Gurdwaras is that they belong to the public at large. Donations from thousands of individuals are utilised for their building and up keep.
No one can claim to own them as they are places of worship and are open to all. No one has the right to take a unilateral decision as this is against the ethos of the Gurdwaras and the Sikh faith. In any case, no Gurdwara has the right to ban anyone unless of course the person in question is acting against the interests of the Gurdwara or disturbing the peace.
It is totally unacceptable to mistreat or misbehave with any member of the Indian missions. They are there to represent our motherland India and also protect our interests in foreign countries. They have the full right to address the congregation to pass on their personal greetings as well as information about the policies of the Indian Government, especially when the Govt of India is going to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji on an unparalleled scale throughout the world.
I was also appalled by the management committee for taking no action against the person who made a spectacle of himself and brought shame to us and our Gurus. It is the moral obligation of the Gurdwara Management Committee to ensure the safety and security of every guest, especially that of diplomats representing our motherland. I hope the Committee will extend their unreserved apologies to the DHC with assurances that such acts will never be tolerated again in a place of worship.
Dr Rami Ranger CBE
Chairman
The British Sikh Associations
www.britishsikhassociation.org
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