Press Release and Sangat Update
Birmingham, UK - 25 January 2011
Birmingham, UK - 25 January 2011
Satkaar Campaign - next steps: Dudley Gurdwara approached;
UK Sangat encouraged to continue approaching other offending Gurdwara committees
UK Sangat encouraged to continue approaching other offending Gurdwara committees
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
As a priority, the peaceful Satkaar Campaign is initially focused on implementing Akal Takhat Sahib's 2006 Sandesh and working to ensure that halls linked to Gurdwaras do not permit meat, alcohol, tobacco and parties. With Guru Ji's Beant Kirpaa and through the collective resolve of the Sangat, the Satkaar Campaign has had some early successes in halting certain anti-Sikh activities that used to take place in the the halls linked to the Gurdwara complexes of Grays, Edinburgh and Ramgarhia Sikh Temple Birmingham, and obtained a commitment from such Gurdwaras to comply with Akal Takhat Sahib's 2006 Sandesh. However, there are approximately 15 more Gurdwaras with linked halls currently allowing meat, alcohol, tobacco and parties, so there is a long way to go.
Although the Satkaar Campaign has been contacted by Sangat members from many different towns and cities in respect of Gurdwaras in their vicinity which contravene Akal Takhat Sahib's 2006 Sandesh, the Satkaar Campaign has prioritised and recently approached Gurdwara Guru Nanak Singh Sabha, Dudley, as we understand that the committee of this Gurdwara is currently considering burdening the local Sangat with a loan for the purposes solely of extending the party hall, so that larger/more frequent parties with meat, alcohol and tobacco can take place at the hall.
As a priority, the peaceful Satkaar Campaign is initially focused on implementing Akal Takhat Sahib's 2006 Sandesh and working to ensure that halls linked to Gurdwaras do not permit meat, alcohol, tobacco and parties. With Guru Ji's Beant Kirpaa and through the collective resolve of the Sangat, the Satkaar Campaign has had some early successes in halting certain anti-Sikh activities that used to take place in the the halls linked to the Gurdwara complexes of Grays, Edinburgh and Ramgarhia Sikh Temple Birmingham, and obtained a commitment from such Gurdwaras to comply with Akal Takhat Sahib's 2006 Sandesh. However, there are approximately 15 more Gurdwaras with linked halls currently allowing meat, alcohol, tobacco and parties, so there is a long way to go.
Although the Satkaar Campaign has been contacted by Sangat members from many different towns and cities in respect of Gurdwaras in their vicinity which contravene Akal Takhat Sahib's 2006 Sandesh, the Satkaar Campaign has prioritised and recently approached Gurdwara Guru Nanak Singh Sabha, Dudley, as we understand that the committee of this Gurdwara is currently considering burdening the local Sangat with a loan for the purposes solely of extending the party hall, so that larger/more frequent parties with meat, alcohol and tobacco can take place at the hall.
Sikh Cultural Centre is property of Gurudwara Guru Nanak Singh Sabha, Dudley
With Guru Ji's Blessings and the continued support of the UK Sangat, we intend to approach all Gurdwara committees contravening Akal Takhat Sahib's 2006 Sandesh in due course. However, as the 2006 Sandesh notes, it is the duty of every Sikh to ensure its implementation. We would encourage all members of the UK Sangat to peacefully, courteously and respectfully initiate a dialogue with offending Gurdwara committees with whom you may have any links and/or are in your area. Please do keep us updated via our email address of any developments/progress in your area and, although we will only be publicly approaching one Gurdwara at a time, we will be happy to assist members of the UK Sangat to the extent we can.
Please find attached the letter sent last week to the President of Dudley Gurdwara, Mr Ajit Singh Sandhu. He acknowledged receipt of this letter in a telephone call with him on Monday 24 January 2011. We impressed upon him in the call that it is in the beneficial interests of all involved to have a face-to-face meeting between Satkaar Sevadaars and the Dudley Gurdwara committee as soon as possible to resolve this issue, and we proposed a meeting either this weekend (29-30 January 2011) or the following weekend (5-6 February 2011). The President promised to revert to us upon further consultation with fellow committee members, though we pointed out that we will call him again later in the week if we do not hear anything further. As Sevadaars of the Sangat, we will keep you fully informed of developments.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
Please find attached the letter sent last week to the President of Dudley Gurdwara, Mr Ajit Singh Sandhu. He acknowledged receipt of this letter in a telephone call with him on Monday 24 January 2011. We impressed upon him in the call that it is in the beneficial interests of all involved to have a face-to-face meeting between Satkaar Sevadaars and the Dudley Gurdwara committee as soon as possible to resolve this issue, and we proposed a meeting either this weekend (29-30 January 2011) or the following weekend (5-6 February 2011). The President promised to revert to us upon further consultation with fellow committee members, though we pointed out that we will call him again later in the week if we do not hear anything further. As Sevadaars of the Sangat, we will keep you fully informed of developments.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
Charity details and submitted accounts of Guru Nanak Singh Sabha, Dudley:
