JOINT Press Release and Sangat Update by Satkaar Sevadaars and RST Birmingham
Birmingham, UK - 13 January 2011
RAMGARHIA SIKH TEMPLE, BIRMINGHAM AGREES TO STOP MEAT AND ALCOHOL PARTIES AT HALL
Peaceful rally on Saturday 15 January 2011 is cancelled though dialogue to continue in future
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
Further to our previous Sangat Update on 4 January 2011, Satkaar Sevadaars and the Ramgarhia Sikh Temple (RST) Birmingham committee held an amicable and open meeting on Saturday 8 January 2011. Satkaar Sevadaars thanked the RST committee for the bold and positive step that they had taken to stop meat and alcohol parties at the Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia Hall (which had previously been running for 20 or so years) and for confirmation of their intention over the longer-term to comply with Akal Takhat Sahib's 2006 Sandesh. Accordingly, the peaceful rally planned on Saturday 15 January 2011 is cancelled.
The RST committee confirmed that no future bookings will be taken for meat and alcohol parties. In relation to the existing parties that have been booked, the relevant families will be provided with the option of having a vegetarian, non-alcoholic party at the hall or having the party entirely cancelled with a refund of the initial deposit. The existing bookings run until November, though since there is an immediate ban on meat and alcohol, it is expected that most, if not all, such parties will be cancelled (as has been the case with the most immediate parties). Upon request by the RST committee, Satkaar Sevadaars will also be willing to have any discussion required with an affected family.
The only outstanding point is the situation where individuals may wish to make a new booking for the hall to be used for family parties which are vegetarian and non-alcoholic in nature, but do permit dancing. The RST committee explained that such instances are likely to be few and far between. Satkaar Sevadaars had requested that these also be stopped in accordance with the 2006 Sandesh, but the RST committee has said it is not yet in a position to agree to this due to the local situation. Satkaar Sevadaars and the RST committee have agreed that they will continue to work together on this and to maintain an ongoing dialogue to reach the Gurmat-oriented solution.
Satkaar Sevadaars also made a humble request to the RST committee for their further assistance in the wider Satkaar Campaign, and there was a discussion on other issues on which the Khalsa Panth needs to unite in order to further propagate Gurmat Maryada in all UK Gurdwaras. The RST committee and Satkaar Sevadaars discussed how they could positively work together on these issues. The RST committee also demonstrated the many positive initiatives they undertake at the Gurdwara to ensure that Gurmat flourishes in future Sikh generations, and they thanked the Satkaar Campaign for their offer to hold Gurmat Camps at the Gurdwara.
There was also a frank discussion so as to clear any misunderstandings which may have arisen. The RST committee and Satkaar Sevadaars were also in full agreement that no individuals should ever make threatening phone calls or send abusive text messages, or knowingly spread false allegations (such as the President and General Secretary of the RST committee being alcoholics) on forums/public websites in the name of promoting Gurmat Maryada. Satkaar Sevadaars explained that to the extent that any individuals have taken such actions, they could not be held responsible for their actions, and once again, Satkaar Sevadaars requests individuals to refrain from such unacceptable behaviour.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
Further to our previous Sangat Update on 4 January 2011, Satkaar Sevadaars and the Ramgarhia Sikh Temple (RST) Birmingham committee held an amicable and open meeting on Saturday 8 January 2011. Satkaar Sevadaars thanked the RST committee for the bold and positive step that they had taken to stop meat and alcohol parties at the Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia Hall (which had previously been running for 20 or so years) and for confirmation of their intention over the longer-term to comply with Akal Takhat Sahib's 2006 Sandesh. Accordingly, the peaceful rally planned on Saturday 15 January 2011 is cancelled.
The RST committee confirmed that no future bookings will be taken for meat and alcohol parties. In relation to the existing parties that have been booked, the relevant families will be provided with the option of having a vegetarian, non-alcoholic party at the hall or having the party entirely cancelled with a refund of the initial deposit. The existing bookings run until November, though since there is an immediate ban on meat and alcohol, it is expected that most, if not all, such parties will be cancelled (as has been the case with the most immediate parties). Upon request by the RST committee, Satkaar Sevadaars will also be willing to have any discussion required with an affected family.
The only outstanding point is the situation where individuals may wish to make a new booking for the hall to be used for family parties which are vegetarian and non-alcoholic in nature, but do permit dancing. The RST committee explained that such instances are likely to be few and far between. Satkaar Sevadaars had requested that these also be stopped in accordance with the 2006 Sandesh, but the RST committee has said it is not yet in a position to agree to this due to the local situation. Satkaar Sevadaars and the RST committee have agreed that they will continue to work together on this and to maintain an ongoing dialogue to reach the Gurmat-oriented solution.
Satkaar Sevadaars also made a humble request to the RST committee for their further assistance in the wider Satkaar Campaign, and there was a discussion on other issues on which the Khalsa Panth needs to unite in order to further propagate Gurmat Maryada in all UK Gurdwaras. The RST committee and Satkaar Sevadaars discussed how they could positively work together on these issues. The RST committee also demonstrated the many positive initiatives they undertake at the Gurdwara to ensure that Gurmat flourishes in future Sikh generations, and they thanked the Satkaar Campaign for their offer to hold Gurmat Camps at the Gurdwara.
There was also a frank discussion so as to clear any misunderstandings which may have arisen. The RST committee and Satkaar Sevadaars were also in full agreement that no individuals should ever make threatening phone calls or send abusive text messages, or knowingly spread false allegations (such as the President and General Secretary of the RST committee being alcoholics) on forums/public websites in the name of promoting Gurmat Maryada. Satkaar Sevadaars explained that to the extent that any individuals have taken such actions, they could not be held responsible for their actions, and once again, Satkaar Sevadaars requests individuals to refrain from such unacceptable behaviour.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia Hall is property of RST, Birmingham
Read more...
