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Scholars warned against distorting Sikh history
(Courtesy : Tribune News Service
)

Jalandhar, August 5
Some Sikh missionary colleges and their writings have come under fire from certain "Panthic" organisations and a number of intellectuals. The organisations have asserted that the missionary writers had no right to twist Sikh history and that both the "Dasam Granth" and Sri Guru Granth Sahib were sacred sources of inspiration for the Sikhs.

The Damdami Taksal, Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Budha Dal, Tarna Dal Shaheedi Misal, Tarna Dal Harian Belan, Gurmat Sidhant Parcharak Sant Samaj have maintained that there is no weight in the assertion of some scholars associated with missionary colleges that Guru Gobind Singh had not given a "bedawa" (letter of desertion) to "40 muktas" and the former had not torn it later, as was mentioned in the "Dasam Granth". The organisations have warned such "scholars" against indulging in the "act of sacrilegious writings".

The organisations convened a special meeting at Naunvin Patshahi gurdwara here today to discuss the issue. They charged the missionaries, including Gurmat Missionary College, of "distorting" and "ridiculing" the "Bani" of Sri Guru Gobind Singh and making an effort to "disseminate" disbelief about history.

Bhai Mohkam Singh of Damdami Taksal said though guruship was bestowed upon Sri Guru Granth Sahib, "Dasam Granth" was also important for the Sikhs, as it was the source of daily prayers and for administering "amrit".

Giani Sher Singh of the Nihang jatha, Tarna Dal Harian Belan, gave details on how the "Bani" of Sri Guru Gobind Singh was also same in spirit, tone and tenor of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. He said Akal Takht had already given its findings that each and every word of the "Dasam Granth" had come from the pen of Guru Gobind Singh.

Sharing this view, Dr Harbhajan Singh of Punjabi University, gave a detailed account of the efforts made by some people to undermine the importance of the "Dasam Granth". Dr Harpal Singh Pannu, also from Punjabi University, said all four "granths" such as Guru Granth Sahib, Dasam Granth, Vaars of Bhai Gurdas and writings of Bhai Nand Lal were of great importance for the Sikhs and were being recited at the Golden Temple for ages.

Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, secretary general of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, lashed out at the SGPC chief, Prof Kirpal Singh Badungar, by alleging that though he had assured at an executive meeting that no recognition to missionary colleges would be accorded unless their ideologies were brought on a common platform, he "betrayed" his commitment by according recognition to such colleges.


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