The Resolution
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.
“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.
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.
“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.
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 :
– Kendri Singh Sabha, Chandigarh,
– Sikh Education Society, Chandigarh
– Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, Ludhiana
– The Sikh Missionary College, Ludhiana
– Sikh Core Group, Chandigarh,
– Guru Nanak Trust, Washington, DC,
– Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managing Committee, New Delhi
– Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar
– Academy of Sikh Religion and Culture, Patiala,
– Gurdwaras Coordination Committee, Mohali
– Gurdwaras Coordination Committee, Chandigarh
– Vanjara Trust, Chandigarh
– Gurmat Parsar Sewa Society, Chandigarh
– Sikh Nari Manch, Chandigarh
– Sikh Education Society, Chandigarh
– Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, Ludhiana
– The Sikh Missionary College, Ludhiana
– Sikh Core Group, Chandigarh,
– Guru Nanak Trust, Washington, DC,
– Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managing Committee, New Delhi
– Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar
– Academy of Sikh Religion and Culture, Patiala,
– Gurdwaras Coordination Committee, Mohali
– Gurdwaras Coordination Committee, Chandigarh
– Vanjara Trust, Chandigarh
– Gurmat Parsar Sewa Society, Chandigarh
– 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
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
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”.
– 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”.
The Need For An 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).