STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA (KP) – Sarbjit Dhunda, the controversial preacher who last year (2012) was summoned and reprimanded by Sri Akal Takht Sahib for making blasphemous remarks regarding the sacred Gurbani Kirtan recited at Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar, is now trying to save face on his Canada trip after his distressingly failed tour in California last month.
Placards Blackened in BC, Canada
Dhunda NOT Welcome – Placards in BC, Canada
Dhunda Placards posted on several street corners advertising his visit had been marked up by protestors with the words “Anti-Sikh” and his pictures crossed-out. Perhaps his visit to British Columbia might not be much better than the cold reception he received from the overall California sangat.
Rejected and Dejected in California
During Dhunda’s visit to California, major Panthic Gurdwaras, including San Jose Gurdwara Sahib, Fremont Gurdwara Sahib, and the historic Stockton Gurdwara Sahib all barred him from speaking from their stages, and only a handful of privately owned “deras” and small establishments entertained him on a spree that was not only an embarrassment for him but also his dubious sponsors.
Trouble began on the first day of Dhunda’s arrival when his supporters held his initial program under the protection of the Buena Park Police force, in Southern California, fearing the protesting Sangat might overtake the stage from heretic. In Central California, Dhunda was not allowed to hold a program in the Tracy Dashmesh Darbar’s main hall as initially planned, and instead along with a handful supporter, he ended up holding an impromptu function in a small guest room on the property. In yet another setback, the entire Gurdwara committee of Turlock Gurdwara Sahib, which had earlier booked Dhunda’s program, was dismissed by the Sangat for inviting this anti-Panthic heretic to their Gurdwara.
Suspicious Credentials and Agenda
It is interesting to note that despite being characterized as a “scholar” by his cohorts, Dhunda has no formal education or a degree from any accredited college or university, but he is blindly being referred to as a “Professor” by his sheepish followers. While his admirers trump him as a “kathakar”, his superficial speeches can hardly to be considered religious exegesis when compared with other well known kathakars, as his speeches lack the key ingredients of faith, reverence, and depth in Sikh theology, and religious doctrine.
Instead of promoting the Gurmat principle of Khanday-Ki-Pahul, Naam-Simran Abhyaas, and recitation of sacred Sikh scriptures, this heretic’s mission seems to concentrate on raising doubts and creating divisions by stirring up endless trivial controversies within the community.
On January 10th, 2013 evening Panthic.org sewadars along GurSikhs from Akhand Kirtani Jatha, and several local Gurdwara committees met Sarbjit Dhunda at a private residence in Ceres, California for a discussion on various Sikhi related topics.
Before the Q&A session even started, Sarbjit Dhunda indicated that he was not comfortable having this discussion video recorded and asked for any video recording equipment to be turned off. There were about 20-25 individuals present, including keys members of various Gurdwara committees, during this discussion that lasted a little more than an hour.
QUESTION 1: (Gurbani/Kirtan Recitation per Sikh Rehat Maryada)
PANTHIC.ORG – Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh. There are plans for you to visit and speak at the Gurdwara Sahib Stockton – which not only is historic base of the Ghadar Movement, but the this famous institution also played a key part in the formulation and ratification of the Sikh Rehat Maryada from 1930-1945.
You have routinely stated that you and your organization (Gurmat Gian Missionary Clg.) follow the Sikh Rehat Maryda, and abide by the tenants of this maryada.
On, June 5th, 2012, in Nagpur, India, you made the following statement on stage regarding which Banees can be recited in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, your exact words are as follows:
“ਉਸੇ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ* ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਅਜ ਸਾਡੇ ਰਾਗੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਮਜਬੂਰੀ ਵੀ ਬਣ ਗਈ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਤੁਕਾਂ ਲੈਕੇ…ਸਿੱਖ ਰਹਿਤ ਮਰਿਯਾਦਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਕਾਇਦਾ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਕਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਗੋਦ ਵਿਚ ਬੈਠ ਕੇ ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਤਿੰਨ ਰਚਨਾਵਾ ਦਾ ਕੀਰਤਨ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ – ਇਕ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਦਾ – ਇਕ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਕਬਿੱਤ ਵਾਰਾਂ ਦਾ – ਇਕ ਭਾਈ ਨੰਦ ਲਾਲ ਜੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਗਜ਼ਲਾਂ ਦਾ, ਤਿੰਨ, ਏਸ ਤੋਂ ਇਲਾਵਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਕਿਸੇ ਹੋਰ ਰਚਨਾ ਦਾ ਕਿਸੇ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਤੁਕਾਂ ਪੜ੍ਹ ਕੇ ਕੀਰਤਨ ਕਰਨਾ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਦੇ ਉਲਟ ਹੈ ਪੜ੍ਹ ਹੋ ਰਿਹਾ ਸ਼ਰਿਆਮ ਹੋ ਰਿਹਾ, ਪਤਾ ਨਹੀ ਕਿਥੋਂ ਕਿਥੋਂ ਤੁਕਾਂ…ਕੀ ਸਿੱਖ ਰਹਿਤ ਮਰਿਯਾਦਾ ਦੀ ਉਲੰਘਣਾ ਨਹੀ? “
*(ਸ੍ਰੀ ਦਸਮ ਗਰੰਥ )
In the above video you are clearly stating ONLY Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s Banee, or Bhai Gurdas Ji’s Vaars, or Bhai Nand Lal Ji’s Ghazals are allowed to recited per the Sikh Rehat Maryada.
We have available the exact wording from the Sikh Rehat Maryada regarding this subject, and nowhere in the Sikh Rehat Maryada is that condition mentioned. The Sikh Rehat Maryada simply states in the “Kirtan” Section (ੲ) :
“ਸਿੱਖ ਰਹਿਤ ਮਰਯਾਦਾ – ਕੀਰਤਨ : (ੲ) ਸੰਗਤ ਵਿਚ ਕੀਰਤਨ ਕੇਵਲ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਜਾਂ ਇਸ ਦੀ ਵਿਆਖਿਆ-ਸਰੂਪ ਰਚਨਾ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਤੇ ਭਾਈ ਨੰਦ ਲਾਲ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ।“
Another words, aside of Bhai Sahibs’ Vaars, and Ghazals, it states Gurbani (ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ) can be recited in Kirtan form. The Panth very well knows the definition of Gurbani is NOT limited to the contents of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, but also include the Rachna of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji.
This definition is in line with MahanKosh (The Sikh Encyclopedia) by Bhai Kahn Singh Ji Nabha, which clearly states that Gurbani connotes to the Sacred Bani revealed by the various Roops of SatGuru Nanak Dev Ji to Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
In the same Nagpur video you also stated that “ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਕਿਸੇ ਹੋਰ ਰਚਨਾ ਦਾ ਕਿਸੇ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਤੁਕਾਂ ਪੜ੍ਹ ਕੇ ਕੀਰਤਨ ਕਰਨਾ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਦੇ ਉਲਟ ਹੈ “ and “ਕੀ ਸਿੱਖ ਰਹਿਤ ਮਰਿਯਾਦਾ ਦੀ ਉਲੰਘਣਾ ਨਹੀ? “
Can you let us know where in the Sikh Rehat Maryada does it state that Sikhs cannot recite verses from Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji’s Banee, and why have you purposely twisted and misquoted the contents of Sikh Rehat Maryada and mislead the sangat on this issue?
SARBJEET DHUNDA was not willing to answer our question directly and instead tried to change the subject to how much he was against sadhs and deras, and blind rituals in the society. At this time we redirected his attention back to the original question.
PANTHIC.ORG – You were asked a direct question, and so far you have not given us a straight answer. The topic on hand is simple, do you agree with the Sikh Rehat Maryada and the definition of Gurbani (ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ) per the Sikh Rehat Maryada, and Mahan Kosh? Did you not purposely twist and misquote the excerpts from the Sikh Rehat Maryada? Do you agree with this definition of Gurbani per Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha?
Mahan Kosh’s Definition of Gurbani
SARBJEET DHUNDA seemed a bit irritated that he had been put on the spot, and was not willing to openly state that he believed Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji’s Rachna could be classified as Gurbani (ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ), and remarked that he believed that Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s contents were Gurbani, and if we wanted to get further clarification on what was ‘Gurbani’ we should contact Sri Akal Takht Sahib directly.
At this time we made it clear to Dhunda and the Gurdwara Sahib committees that this man has not answered a simple query on the Sikh Rehat Maryada and definition of Gurbani, and unwilling to admit or correct the misleading statements he made in the June 5th, 2012 video at Nagpur.
To be continued
http://panthic.org/articles/5488
Both are fake Professors.
Picture taken @ Gurdwara Sahib Seremban, 2014, a strong hold of Anti Dasmes Group and they were also involved in having a private function for Inder Gaggha. Entrance to the Gurdwara for Inder Gaggha was only by invitation. In the Sikh history this has never happened before.
Gur Vichar 