The following is the narrative of our interview with Datuk Sucha Singh on his views and experience about the Malaysian Gurdwara Council and its formation.  This is the last part of the interview.  Datuk Ji raises some very interesting questions regarding the principles/ objectives of MGC in relation to GSC.

QUESTION 14

M.G.C is the co-founder member of Global Sikh Council which appears to be Panth Dokhi.  What is your opinion?

Datuk Sucha Singh

If the organisation purports to represent Gurdwaras that organization need to respect the authority of Akaal Takhat because the Gurdwaras owe their allegiance to the Akaal Takhat and cannot directly or indirectly through their council be involved or associated with  individuals, groups, organisations or councils with Gurmat Virodhi views, who support the Gurmat virodhi views or elements or whose stand is opposed to that of the Takhats or against whom Gurmatta, Hukumnamay, Sandesh or Adesh has been issued by the Takhats or whose stand is opposed to the Takhats. Gurdwaras are and must remain independent especially independent of these groups organizations or councils. Please note that one of the objectives of the M.G.C stated in the constitution is to respect, maintain and implement independence of Sikh Gurdwaras. 

As stated in the constitution MGC is constituted to inculcate and promote the teaching of the TEN GURUS and the eternal principles enshrined in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and enunciated by the Guru Panth to preserve, propagate, uphold and practice the Sikh Religion in accordance with ESTABLISHED PRACTICES and Rehat Maryada. And according to the Sikh Rehat Maryada, the Akaal Takhat is the supreme seat of authority of the Sikh Panth. The Sikh Rehat Maryada states that appeals from the decisions of the local Guru Sangats can be made to the Akaal Takhats.

It is our religious duty to respect and obey the decisions of Akaal Takhat and the other Takhats whether they are in the form of Gurmata, Matta, Sandesh or Adesh, which is the basis of established Sikh practices. In the hierarchy, organisational structure and decision making process of the Sikh religion, there is no provision or mention of any committee or council national or international. This role is carried out by the Gurdwaras and the Gursangant, Guru Panth and The Akaal Takhat with the other Takhats.

For the founders and pioneers our allegiance would be to the Guru Panth and the Takhats.  It would be unthinkable to involve and associate the Gurdwaras or their council with any group having Gurmat Virodhi views or who support Gurmat virodhi views or elements or against whom Gurmattas, Hukumnamay or Sandesh is issued by the Akaal Takhat or the other Takhats.

Now the Malaysian Gurdwaras and the Sangat must ask themselves whether their involvement or association directly or indirectly through their council with GSC compromises their independence, integrity and the respect and allegiance to the Guru Panth and the Takhats especially if their stand is opposed to that of the Takhats. 

QUESTION 15

Do you think the MGC should be a member of the Global Sikh Council?

Datuk Sucha Singh

Any organisation is at liberty to be a member or founding member of any organisation national or international.  BUT a council purporting and representing the Gurdwaras?  I prefer that you ask me whether the Malaysian Gurdwaras should directly or indirectly through their council be members or be associated or involved with the Global Sikh Council.

Needless to say, to the Sikhs Gurdwaras are sacred.  In the Ardas we remember the Five Takhats and ALL the GURDWARAS “dhian dharke” and say Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru.

Now let’s examine the principles and objective of MGC and GSC as stated in their constitutions and charter respectively.

I will first state the relevant objective of GSC and then we will examine the implications thereof.

1. To promote globally the TEACHINGS OF GURU NANAK, lived and exemplified in the lives and sacrifices of the succeeding Gurus up to Guru Gobind Singh Ji and FOLLOW THE TEACHINGS OF the Sri Guru Granth Sahib and no other scriptures or individuals.
2. To follow the Rehat Maryada (Sikh Code of Conduct) passed in 1945 by SGPC and none other.

What does this mean and what are the implications

1. First the objective of GSC is to PROMOTE the teaching of Guru Nanak ONLY and not the other nine Gurus.  Only the teaching of Guru Nanak lived and exemplified in the lives and sacrifices of the succeeding Gurus. 
2. The objective of GSC is to FOLLOW the teaching of Sri Guru Granth Sahib only and NOT to preserve, inculcate, promote, propagate, uphold and practice the teaching of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
3. Guru Gobind Singh’s Bani and composition is rejected altogether (Guru Gobind Singh in his Divine choose to exclude his Bani from Sri Guru Granth Sahib but he bestowed Gurgadi on Sri Guru Granth Sahib)  
4. The Panth accepted (Panth Parvanat) elaborative and expositional (viakya sroop) compositions of Bhai Gurdas and Bhai Nand Lal Ji are also rejected altogether?
5. Established Sikh practices are rejected altogether.
6. Other than the mere mention to the teaching of Guru Nanak and following the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib there is nothing to show in the constitution or its charter that GSC Global Sikh Council is constituted as a Religious organisation to inculcate, promote, propagate, practice and uphold the teachings of the TEN GURUS and Guru Granth Sahib.  Very unlike the principles and objectives of MGC which is constituted as a religious organisation.

The difference in the principles and objectives are very stark on basic and fundamental principles of Sikhi, Gurmat and Khalsa Panth.  And MGC is a member and worse a founder member of the council whose principles are in stark contrast and at variance with the principles and doctrines the MGC is constituted.

Now who is this Global Sikh Council that peddles their version of Sikh religious concepts and take stands on matters of Gurbani and Gurmat.  MGC recently hosted the GSC Conference in a luxury Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.  Must be feeling proud to have hosted an international conference.

A visit to the GSC website reveals that GSC was formed at a meeting held on February 28^th to March 1, 2014 in Sydney Australia.  

President: Gulbarg Singh Basi.

Name of the council: GLOBAL SIKH COUNCIL INC.

NOTE: INC. is the abbreviation of INCORPORATED.

In most states in the US corporations must add corporate designation such as INC. in their BUSINESS NAME.

Now, is GLOBAL SIKH COUNCIL INC. a company, corporation i.e. a business entity?  If the GLOBAL SIKH COUNCIL is registered as a company and its legal name is GLOBAL SIKH COUNCIL INC. why is the corporate designation INC. not used in their usual business and activities and their constitution?

A company search on GLOBAL SIKH COUNCIL INC. georgia-register.com reveals that GLOBAL SIKH COUNCIL INC. is an entity registered in Georgia with company number 14069804 and incorporated on the 16^th July 2014.

The same Gulbarg Singh Basi is named as the agent and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company GLOBAL SIKH COUNCIL INC.  Kirpal Singh Nijher as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Rupinder Kaur Basi as the secretary.  The company GLOBAL SIKH COUNCIL INC., the CEO and the Secretary have the same address.

As in the case of companies, corporations and business entities GLOBAL SIKH COUNCIL INC. has a BOARD of DIRECTORS.

If the GLOBAL SIKH COUNCIL (GSC) is registered as a company and it’s legal name is GLOBAL SIKH COUNCIL INC., why is the corporate designation INC. not used in their usual business and activities and their constitution?  Don’t want the Sikh Sangat to know because INC. is a corporate designation and means or implies that it is a business entity?

It would appear that MGC is a member and worse a founding member of a council (stated at their website) firstly whose principles and objectives basically and fundamentally are different and at variance with the principles, doctrines and objectives for which MGC is constituted, and secondly which is a company incorporated in Georgia USA.

And indirectly through their council Malaysian Gurdwaras are affiliated, associated or involved with the company Global Sikh Council Inc. incorporated in Georgia USA.

This is betrayal of the Malaysian Gurdwaras and the Panth and the principles and doctrine of Guru di Sikhi.

Wither the sanctity, integrity and the independence of the Malaysian Gurdwaras?

Maybe there is an explanation and some one familiar with the MGC can explain and clarify.

QUESTION 16

What is your advice to the current M.G.C leadership?

Datuk Sucha Singh

I will not advise the leadership. They know what they are doing.

But as a member of the Sangat, I wish to ask, those leaders who give directions on matters of Gurbani and Gurmat which bani is approved and which is prohibited or banned in the name of Rehat Maryada, which Bania can be recited as Nitnem. Are they themselves following the Rehat Maryada they champion? Are they keeping the rehat and reciting daily at least the bania they approve of and say can be recited?  Do they practice what they preach?  Are they aware that according to the constitution “The President (Jathedar) and all four (4) Vice President must be knowledgeable in Sikh history and religion and MUST be Amritdharis (baptized)” and all office bearers of M.G.C must be Keshadari Sikh. Even the trustees appointed must be Amritdharis.  Do all those who give instructions and directions on Gurbani, Gurmat and the Rehat themselves follow and observed the Rehat and comply and uphold the constitution. 

I repeat I will not advise them but will tell them that the ban is opposed to the Gurmattas, decisions, advice and stand of the Akaal Takhat and the other Takhats.  It also contravenes the Sikh Rehat Maryada, the constitution and established Sikh practices.  

The Gurdwaras and the Sangat need to ask what direction their council has taken.  

QUESTION 17 

As a respected person in the Sikh Sangat and a pioneer member of the M.G.C what is your advise to the Sangat especially to the youths.

Datuk Sucha Singh

Read the Gurbani including Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s bani, Rehetnamey, Compositions of Bhai Gurdas and Bhai Nand Lal Ji yourself and understand the profound and underlying principles and message.  Guru vale bano, bani parro, suno, te vicharo, Naam Japo. 

As regards the Dasam Pita’s bani, Takhats Sri Damdama Sahib has advised that you keep doing path, katha and Kirtan of Dashmesh Pita’s compositions in Chardi klah. 

Reject and say no to the Ex-communicated  and Gurmat Virodhi elements who change Guru Gobind Ji’s Khande Batey da Amrit, insult, belittle and denigrate the Bani including Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Bani and distort the Gurbani, our basic and foundational practices like Keertan, Simran, Naam Japna, Ardas and other basics of Sikhi and Gurmat, print Nitnem gutkas without the accepted bani.  Reject those who support and promote these ex-communicated and Gurmat Virodhi  elements. 

I humbly urge the Gurdwaras and the Sangat especially the youth to take these matters seriously to stand up for Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Gurmat and Panth. The youth is the future of the Panth in Malaysia. 

Reclaim your council For Guru Gobind Singh Ji, For the Panth and For the Takhats.

Lastly I wish to say that these are my personal views, experience and my understanding of the Gurmat. I am not associated with any organisation. I am just an aspiring Gursikh trying to live my life in the manner pleasing to Guruji. The Guru Sangat is mahan. If I have said anything that is not in line with Gurmat please correct me and forgive me. 

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.