Sikh Confederation

International Sikh Confederation
ਇੰਟਰਨੈਸ਼ਨਲ ਸਿੱਖ ਕਨਫੈਡਰੇਸ਼ਨ

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AIMS & OBJECTIVES

AIMS

The Institute of Sikh Studies (IOSS) at the end of its Annual Seminar on Nov 16, 2003, passed a resolution which inter alia reads as follows :

This gathering of Sikhs has noted with great concern that the Panth is passing through a crisis marked by disunity, challenges to Sikh identity and established institutions like the Akal Takht Sahib and SGPC, spate of apostasy, existence of schisms old and new, and unnecessary controversies created to divide and weaken the Panth

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“In order to deal with these problems, to carry the divine message of the Gurus worldwide and to lead the Panth to its destined glory in the service of mankind, it is imperative to invoke the Gurus’ doctrine of Guru Granth – Guru Panth, which gives this responsibility to take decisions in the light of teachings of the Gurus with complete faith in sabad as Guru.

“This gathering feels that in the situation that prevails today, it is necessary to have a central body of the Sikhs with global representation whose deliberations will guide and assist the entire Sikh community.”

The resolution also called upon the SGPC ‘to take the required initiative for creating an apex body, which includes representatives of all major panthic organizations and Sikhs from across the world, with itself as nucleus under the patronage of Akal Takht Sahib.” Sardar Gurcharan Singh Tohra, the then SGPC President, addressed this seminar, blessed the idea and assured that the SGPC would welcome the move, provided it does not hurt the existing Panthic institutions.

It was felt that a constitution of the proposed apex body should be drafted and for this purpose the following Committee was appointed:
– Lt Gen Kartar Singh Gill, PVSM,(Retd)
– Dr G S Kalkat, Padma Bhushan
– Dr Kharak Singh
This Committee held a number of sittings and with valuable assistance from S Gurdev Singh, President, IOSS, Gen Jaswant Singh, Brig.Gurdip Singh,(Retd) prepared a draft which was discussed in a meeting of the representatives of the organisations listed above on the 13th June, 2004. In addition, Principals of some Sikh educational institutions like Dr Inderjit Singh from Phagwara and senior retired army officers, Gen S S Randhawa and Gen M S Kandal also attended. The draft as adopted in this meeting is reproduced below, in order to elicit opinion, comments, or suggestions for improvement:
“The name of the Sikh Apex Body proposed in the draft is International Sikh Confederation (ISC). The aims and objectives proposed are fairly comprehensive. Care has been taken in the Constitution that no existing panthic organization is supplanted or its authority diluted. The SGPC, the Akali Dals and other organizations will continue to function as heretofore. The ISC will reflect the collective thinking of the Panth, and all existing or future organizations of the Panth are expected to move together in the direction pointed out by the ISC and work for achievement of the common goals in a coordinated manner.
It is hoped that all Sikhs, the world over, individually as well as through gurdwara management committees or other organizations, will lend fullest support to this proposal so that the ISC starts functioning at the earliest. The Sikh diaspora is expected to play a very active role in this effort, since it is the only way, their concerns can be voiced.
The IOSS will continue to coordinate the effort. This task is priority no. 1 on its agenda. After the successful conclusion of the campaign of Nanakshahi Calendar, the Institute is concentrating on this item. Let us ensure that a solid beginning is made during the current year when we observe centenaries of three major events in Sikh history, and that in the next couple of years, the ISC becomes an established fact. This is the only way to give practical shape to the doctrine of Guru Granth – Guru Panth, the Guru gave us in his limitless benevolence”.

In order to initiate action on the resolution, the IOSS convened a meeting on the 21st February, 2004 at Chandigarh, which was attended by representatives of a large number of Sikh organizations including the following, besides the IOSS and a number of Sikh intellectuals :

  1. Kendri Singh Sabha, Chandigarh,
  2. Sikh Education Society, Chandigarh
  3. Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, Ludhiana
  4. The Sikh Missionary College, Ludhiana
  5. Sikh Core Group, Chandigarh,
  6. Guru Nanak Trust, Washington, DC,
  7. Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managing Committee, New Delhi
  8. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar
  9. Academy of Sikh Religion and Culture, Patiala,
  10. Gurdwaras Coordination Committee, Mohali
  11. Gurdwaras Coordination Committee, Chandigarh
  12. Vanjara Trust, Chandigarh
  13. Gurmat Parsar Sewa Society, Chandigarh
  14. Sikh Nari Manch, Chandigarh

This meeting unanimously endorsed the resolution and set up the following action committee:

1. Dr. Kharak Singh Maan,Former Convener
2. Dr.Gurcharan Singh Kalkat, Padma Bhushan
3. Lt. Gen Kartar Singh Gill, PVSM(Retd)
4. Giani Harinder Singh, Former Kendri Singh Sabha
5. Dr.Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Guru Nanak Trust, Washington
6. Principal Ram Singh, Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, Ludhiana
7. Brig. Gurdeep Singh(Retd), Former Convener, Sikh Care Group, Chd
8. S.Amrinder Singh Member, SGPC
9. Col Rajinder Singh(Retd), President, Gurudwara Sector 34, Chd
10. S.Angrej Singh, President, Pind Bachao Committee, Chd

THE NEED FOR APEX BODY

The doctrine of ‘Guru Granth – Guru Panth’ proclaimed by Guru Gobind Singh demands the setting up of such a body without which the Panth cannot discharge its responsibilities or exercise its authority. This was elaborated in the keynote address delivered in the Institute of Sikh Studies (IOSS) seminar referred to earlier, which is, therefore being partly reproduced as an Appendix (page 14).

ੴ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਹਿ
INTERNATIONAL SIKH CONFEDERATION Constitution

NAME
1 This Body shall be known as the International Sikh Confederation (ISC).
REGISTERED OFFICE
2 Its Registered Office shall be located at Chandigarh. This may be shifted to Amritsar in due course. There will be various regional, zonal and local offices in India and abroad as the Organization expand.
AIM
3 To provide guidance and direction in the Sikh community’s march towards its ordained mission to spread the effulgent message of the Gurus and to ensure a rightful place for the community, nationally as well as internationally.

OBJECTIVES

The ISC will reflect the status of Guru Panth, and in due course, will decide its own functions. However, it must inter alia, encompass the following:-

  1. To share the ideology of the Guru Granth Sahib with all humanity for evolving a harmonious social order.
  2. To articulate short- and long-term goals of the Panth.
  3. To promote the cause of the Sikh community in national and international forums.
  4. To articulate and express the views on behalf of the Sikh community in the above forums, and thus to represent the Panth in all domestic and international spheres.
  5. To co-ordinate activities of various Sikh organizations.
  6. To help resolve and work towards settlement of all philosophical and other issues affecting the Panth as a whole.
  7. To apply for and obtain membership for the Confederation in world organization such as UNESCO, UNHRC etc.
  8. To promote education & economic development of the Sikh Community.
  9. To promote research and publication of literature on Sikh identity, religion, history, culture and tradition.
  10. Establish and manage Institute of Higher Learning and research in various disciplines including religion, Social Studies, Medicines, Engineering, Information Technology, and other disciplined as required.
  11. Establish trust endowment, chairs in universities and Institute of learning’s, also establish schools, colleges and coaching centers with particular stress on uplift of children in Rural Areas.
  12. To rebut academic and other attacks on Sikh religion, culture, tradition and history.
  13. To take vigorous and sustained measures to promote Punjabi language.
  14. To initiate and help promote national and international effort, for humanitarian causes in pursuance of the basic Sikh tenet of Sarbat da Bhala (well being for all).

ACCOMPLISHMENT OF
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The ISC will reflect the status of Guru Panth, and in due course, will decide its own functions. However, it must inter alia, encompass the following:-
  • To share the ideology of the Guru Granth Sahib with all humanity for evolving a harmonious social order.
  • To articulate short- and long-term goals of the Panth.
  • To promote the cause of the Sikh community in national and international forums.
  • To articulate and express the views on behalf of the Sikh community in the above forums, and thus to represent the Panth in all domestic and international spheres.
  • To co-ordinate activities of various Sikh organizations.
  • To help resolve and work towards settlement of all philosophical and other issues affecting the Panth as a whole.
  • To apply for and obtain membership for the Confederation in world organization such as UNESCO, UNHRC etc.
  • To promote education & economic development of the Sikh Community.
  • To promote research and publication of literature on Sikh identity, religion, history, culture and tradition.
  • Establish and manage Institute of Higher Learning and research in various disciplines including religion, Social Studies, Medicines, Engineering, Information Technology, and other disciplined as required.
  • Establish trust endowment, chairs in universities and Institute of learning’s, also establish schools, colleges and coaching centers with particular stress on uplift of children in Rural Areas.
  • To rebut academic and other attacks on Sikh religion, culture, tradition and history.
  • To take vigorous and sustained measures to promote Punjabi language.
  • To initiate and help promote national and international effort, for humanitarian causes in pursuance of the basic Sikh tenet of Sarbat da Bhala (well being for all).

APPENDIX

THE NEED FOR AN APEX BODY*

THE PRESENT CHAOTIC SITUATION
The Panth is passing through a critical period, and faces numerous problems. Although the SHIROMANI AKALI DAL (B) was a partner in the NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE government at the Centre, the glow of freedom the Sikhs have struggled for, is nowhere visible. The infamous Blue Star Operation and the repression that followed continue to cast their painful shadows on the Sikh psyche. The Panth is divided into several political parties as well as religious sects.
There is no unanimity on the long-term political goals of the Sikhs. While some sections demand a sovereign independent state, others prefer autonomy within the Indian Union. The SAD has favored the Anandpur Sahib Resolution of 1973 subsequently modified in 1978. The Hindu majority, however, considers it secessionist, and is in no mood to concede the demand.
There are challenges to Sikh identity, and concerted efforts are afoot to treat the Sikhs as a sect of Hindus. The Rashtriya Sikh Sangat wing of the BJP is busily engaged in confusing the Sikhs on this issue.
Then there is the problem of apostasy, particularly among the Sikh youth. Under the influence of the West and the TV culture, alarmingly large numbers of Sikhs have dropped the most visible and essential requirement of Sikhism – the unshorn hair.
The Sikhs outside Punjab as well as Sikh diaspora outside India have their own peculiar problems. Besides, there are millions of tribal Sikhs like Vanjaras, Sikligars, Lobanas, Tharus, etc., known as Nanak Panthis, who are living in utter neglect and abject poverty in several states of India, notably Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, etc. They have received no attention from the Panth, and are vulnerable to influence of missionaries of other faiths.
To the list of problems must be added the recent controversies over Dasam Granth, All India Sikh Gurdwaras Act, Sikh Personal Law, seating arrangements in langar, the authority of the Takht jathedars, etc.
Little organized effort has been made by the Sikh leadership to carry the message of the Gurus in its pristine form. Clever individuals taking advantage of this situation have established their deras where they preach their own cult in the garb of Sikh religion among the credulous Sikh masses not only in India but also abroad. This leads to erosion of Sikh values and weakens the Panth. Each dera is a potential Schism and a challenge to mainstream Sikhism.

AUTHORITY

The proposed Apex Body will derive its authority from Sri Akal Takht Sahib. All decisions will be implemented through it.

ROLE OF EXISTING ORGANIZATIONS

The proposed Apex Body of the Sikhs is not intended to replace any of the existing institutions. Rather, it will provide them with the support and the pathetic authority they need to discharge their functions. The SGPC and DSGMC will continue to manage the gurdwaras under their charge, as heretofore. In fact, the joint authority of the SGPC and DSGMC should be extended to other gurdwaras also throughout India, through suitable legislation. The Shiromani Akali Dal should continue to look after political interests of the Sikhs in India. The World Sikh Council should be reorganized and enabled to secure a respectable position for Sikhs among the international community. The Chief Khalsa Diwan, and some other organizations like the Sikh Education Society, should be entrusted with the responsibility of providing quality education to the Sikh youth. The Institute of Sikh Studies and Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle should be strengthened and encouraged to take up research work, translation of Gurbani, and production of suitable material for dissemination of information on Sikh religion, culture and history. The Damdami Taksal and Missionary Colleges as well as Nihangs will continue to play the traditional role assigned to them in history.
Before I conclude I must say that it was neither my intention, nor is it possible in this brief address to provide a blueprint for the proposed Apex Body of the Panth. That has been left to the learned scholars who will present their papers in this seminar. I have only stressed the urgent need for it. There is no other way we can survive as Panth and make our contribution towards advancement of mankind. The Guru beckons us. Let us respond to his call and carry out the task assigned to us under the doctrine of Guru Granth-Guru Panth.