SGPC seeks apology from Tavleen Singh for saying Guru Govind Singh was a Hindu

On sixth October, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) raised objections to an op-ed written by Tavleen Singh titled “India’s Canadian problem,” revealed in The Sunday Express, dated twenty fourth September 2023. SGPC raised a number of objections, primarily revolving round two insinuations that Tavleen made. The first was about Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and the second was Khalistani terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

Rebuttal to @IndianExpress for publishing article by @tavleen_singh with extremely objectionable and false propaganda materials about Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru and Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, 14th head of Damdami Taksal. The nationwide day by day has been requested to offer… pic.twitter.com/4fz2osesCz

— Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (@SGPCAmritsar) October 8, 2023

SGPC claimed that Tavleen’s op-ed had inaccuracies and misrepresentations about Sikhism. The first concern that SGPC raised was the assertion that Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji based Khalsa to battle the repression of the Mughal Emperor, and he was a ‘Hindu’. SGPC emphasised that Shri Guru Gobind Singh ji created the Khalsa Panth as an embodiment of the Saint-Soldier spirit dedicated to Akal Purakh (The Timeless One) and that he was not related to any specific faith. Guru Gobind Singh’s teachings emphasised that he was neither Hindu nor Muslim.

Furthermore, they objected to the characterisation of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, notably to the purpose the place she stated that he ran a reign of terror and had an environment friendly community of spies that punished those that disagreed with him. SGPC contends that Bhindranwale’s battle primarily addressed Punjab’s political, financial, and water-related points. They argue that such characterisations of Bhindranwale are usually not supported by the historic info and references obtainable.

SGPC known as for an apology from Singh, claiming that her op-ed was malicious and portrayed the Sikh group negatively. They additionally requested the newspaper to supply house to current info of their letter as a refutation to the “misrepresentations” made by Tavleen in her article.

Refuting the claims of SGPC that Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji didn’t elevate Khalsa to avoid wasting Hindus, Sikh historical past skilled Puneet Sahani identified that what Tavleen Singh said have been info. He quoted Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s composition Ugradanti, which explicitly pleads to Durga to assist his military destroy the Turks and Mughal forces and for the resurgence of the Vedas & Dharma of Hindus. The Punjabi model of Ugradanti could be seen right here. For those that are unaware, Ugardanti is a composition that’s a part of Dasam Granth, one of many Holy Books of Sikhism.

What you’re presenting are outbursts. What @tavleen_singh said are info. #GuruGobindSingh in his composition Ugradanti (one through which Khalsa finds point out) explicitly pleads to Durga to assist his military destroy Turks & Mughal cover, and for resurgence of Vedas & Dharma of Hindus. pic.twitter.com/X4fX2F6ub9

— Puneet Sahani (@puneet_sahani) October 8, 2023
Tavleen Singh’s op-ed known as the Khalistan motion a ‘myth’

While SGPC has its personal issues with the op-ed written by Tavleen Singh, it’s important to level out that Tavleen categorically known as the Khalistan motion and the threats it poses to India’s sovereignty a ‘myth’. In her op-ed, she mentioned that within the context of the Canadian Sikhs, the revival of Khalistan was a fantasy in India. She questioned the Indian authorities on its concentrate on the secessionist motion of Khalistan. She expressed “concerns” over the panic in Delhi’s political circles when Canadian Sikhs elevate Khalistan flags or interact in pro-Khalistani protests in different international locations, notably Canada.

Tavleen insinuated that there is no such thing as a important assist for Khalistan amongst Sikhs in India. She highlights the historic background of the Punjab area, emphasising that Shri Guru Govind Singh created the Khalsa to battle repression and that it included each Hindus and Sikhs. The creator factors out that even through the reign of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, there was no widespread assist for secession amongst Sikhs in India. SGPC raised objections to this half. 

While acknowledging the existence of Khalistan supporters amongst Canadian Sikhs and the opportunity of monetary assist from Pakistan’s army rulers, Tavleen Singh argues that if India have been to make use of its intelligence companies to create bother on international soil, it must be achieved in neighbouring international locations, not in faraway locations like Canada.

Furthermore, she asks for a transparent definition of terrorism and the necessity for addressing so-called problems with “injustice and unrest” inside minority communities in India, notably amongst Muslims and Sikhs. She steered that the Indian authorities ought to concentrate on addressing the grievances of those communities reasonably than “overreacting” to the perceived revival of the Khalistan fantasy.

Replying to SGPC, Tavleen wrote, “May I respectfully suggest that the SGPC read some Sikh history books. As for apologies it is the SGPC that must apologise to the Sikh community for allowing the Durbar Sahib to be turned into a refuge for killers. I know. I was there.”

May I respectfully counsel that the SGPC learn some Sikh historical past books. As for apologies it’s the SGPC that should apologise to the Sikh group for permitting the Durbar Sahib to be changed into a refuge for killers. I do know. I used to be there. https://t.co/tfNFI3cKzZ

— Tavleen Singh (@tavleen_singh) October 9, 2023
SGPC and Tavleen Singh whitewashed the Khalistani motion in their very own methods

It is fascinating to witness how two sections, whereas showing to oppose one another, conveniently whitewashed the rebellion of the Khalistan motion and the threats it poses to India’s sovereignty and safety. Tavleen claimed that she witnessed the Khalistani motion because the 80s and has a deep data of the motion. She additional claimed that there was no or minimal assist for the Khalistani motion through the Bhindranwale interval and after. According to Tavleen, it was due to the deep-rooted spy community of Bhindranwale that he managed to “suppress the voices against the Khalistani movement within the Sikh community”.

While Tavleen has the complete proper to have her personal views, it’s unusual that she forgot how Hindus have been brutally murdered for many years by the Khalistani terrorists. It took the Indian authorities virtually 30 years to wipe out the Khalistani motion from Punjab, throughout which 1000’s of Hindus have been murdered. There have been bomb blasts, mass shootings, murders of journalists and whatnot. We misplaced one Prime Minister and one Chief Minister to the Khalistani motion. In the aftermath of the homicide of then-PM Indira Gandhi, 1000’s of harmless Sikhs have been additionally killed within the political riots in Delhi in 1984.

Tavleen Singh claimed that the present Indian authorities revived the Khalistani “myth” and stated there is no such thing as a assist for the Khalistani motion in India. By observing what has occurred within the state for the final 8-10 years, it’s truthful to counsel that Tavleen wants to come back out of the bubble and odor the espresso. The Khalistani motion just isn’t a fantasy, and it has important assist within the state. In reality, the assist remained constant regardless that the motion was suppressed within the 90s.

Without assist, the posters of Bhindranwale, the rise of Amritpal Singh, constant brainwashing of younger Punjabis by way of music and assist to Khalistani terrorist organisation Sikhs For Justice wouldn’t have been attainable. Tavleen may need missed the purpose that Amritpal Singh reportedly was elevating a militia to battle in opposition to the state within the guise of a de-addiction centre. Was it not the Khalistani rebellion, or it must be swept beneath the rug within the title of “myth”?

SGPC has a historical past of whitewashing the Khalistani motion

It is well-known that SGPC has a comfortable nook for the Khalistani motion and pro-Khalistani components. They don’t even attempt to cover it. They are well-known for supporting pro-Khalistani components and placing up posters of Khalistani terrorists inside Gurudwara premises claiming they have been martyrs. Even after Canada accused India of killing Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil, which India has categorically denied, SGPC determined to aspect with Canada.

SGPC and Tavleen each whitewashed the Khalistani motion and the threats it poses, for which each concepts must be condemned. Pro-Khalistani components have discovered sufficient assist in international locations like Canada, the UK, Australia and the USA. Pakistan’s funding helps pro-Khalistani components to flourish exponentially. Amid such time, insinuations that Khalistan motion is only a fantasy just isn’t solely problematic however dangerously deceptive.