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Sikh leaders accused the corporation’s Asian Network of displaying “irresponsible and misleading” attitude and suggesting that their religion was simply a “hotchpotch” of other faiths.

It followed a phone-in broadcast in March in which the presenter DJ Nihal Arthanayake – best known as a Radio 1 DJ – touched on the relationship between Sikhism, which was founded in Punjab in the 15th Century, and the other two predominant religions in India at the time.

A text message from a listener was read out complaining about the “incredibly offensive” way the presenters had suggested that Sikhism was “made up from other religions ie Islam and Hinduism”.

The DJ, known simply as Nihal on air, replied: “I’m sorry with all due respect, it is, absolutely it is.”

He added: “It came around in the 15th and 16th Centuries in India, how could it not be influenced?”

He went on: “A Muslim laid the stone to the holiest places, with all due respect I know more about your religion than you do.”

The comment was a reference to the tradition that a Muslim divine was asked to lay the foundation of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the centre of Sikh worship.

But the Network of Sikh Organisations, headed by Lord Singh – who is himself a regular on the BBC, as a contributor to Radio 4’s Thought For the Day – complained, accusing the programme of a “skewed” approach.

They asked: “Is the BBC similarly willing to take the view that Islam is a religion made up of Christianity and Judaism?”

The corporation initially responded that they would “bear in mind he complaint” in future but did not apologise.

Following a second complaint, the channel’s head of news, Kevin Silverton, wrote to the Network admitting that the discussion had been “less than satisfactory”.

“The Nihal phone-in deals with difficult subjects on a daily basis and very occasionally we don’t get the tone exactly right.

“In this case at the end of an hour of challenging debate, the presenter was unusually forthright about a point of view that some listeners have contacted us about concerning the influence other religions had on Sikhism … We’ve stressed to him and the team the importance to retain an impartial tone on these kind of matters and to back up assertions with solid research where at all possible (considering the live and unpredictable nature of such a show).

“We will monitor both these points closely.”

Lord Singh said: "They initially handled it very arrogantly, they didn't accept anything.

"Then they thought about it and said that they should have been more sensitive – but then it goes on say we do so much with all communities and we have great balance.

"It's not a very good 'sorry'."

He said that the programme had displayed "ignorance" in mistaking comparisons with Islam and Hinduism for influence.

"We are pretty sensitive at the moment, first of all we suffered a lot from the turban being confused with the Muslim turban worn by Bin laden, we've suffered a lot from name-calling, I've suffered from that myself."

A spokeswoman for BBC Asian Network said: “We have reviewed the transmission from the Nihal phone-in on March 13 and agree that this short excerpt was less than satisfactory.

Taken from Guru Kian Sakhian by Saroop Singh Kaushish

Translated by admin www.tapoban.org

Gurdwara Mukhstar Sahib

A Khalsa jatha representing Majha Sikhs decided to visit Guru Jee in Malwa after hearing the accounts of the Shaheedee of Sahibzadey and the other Guru Payeray. They were led by Bhai Bhag Singh, Bhai Sulthan Singh and Mata Bhag Kaur as a Jatha of 40. There intention was to persuade Guru Jee to halt his actions on the battle field as they had some contact with the Lahore/Delhi Darbar.

After many days searching they finally found where Guru Jee was resting. After greeting Guru Jee and the Sangat they were told to sit down on a sheet placed before them. Bhai Bhag Singh leading the delegation said to Guru Jee “ We can collectively from Majha arrange a permanent agreement with the Delhi regime. You will be able to live the rest of your life in peace and we can remain your sevaks”. Guru Jee on hearing this said “ Who are you to make an agreement, where were your ancestors(from Lahore) at the time of the Fifth Guru? Where was the Majha Sikhs at the time of the Sixth Guru when he was arrested and prisoned by Jahanghir. No one said anything at the shaheedee of the Ninth Guru. You never came when we were under siege for months at Anandpur. Why have you come now don’t you have any shame.”

Bhag Singh replied saying “Gareeb-Nivaz! If you want to stay like this then our Sikhee towards you can not be kept, we will go back.”

Guru Jee replied “Bhag Singh! We never called you here. Now that you are here, can we have it in writing that there is no GurSikh left in the land of Majha.”

Guru Jee told Maan Singh from the Majha Jatha to pull out some paper and ink from his sack. Guru Jee placed the ink and paper in front Bhag Singh and his Jatha. Bhag Singh was the first to sign, then Dilbhag Singh, Garbaaraa Singh and Ganda Singh signed the paper. The other members of the Jatha lowered their heads, they did not sign the paper but were in two minds as what to do.

At this point a Sikh came and told Guru Jee that the enemy forces were nearing and that they should move from here. Guru Jee told Maan Singh and other Jatha members to go as he needed to make preparations for battle.

After Guru Jee left, Mata Bhag Kaur who was Bhag Singh’s and Dilbhag Singh’s older sister and Nidhan Singh’s wife said to the whole Jatha “We’ve already had Dhunee Chand running away with 4-5 Majha Singhs from fort Anandgad bringing shame to us from Majha which is bad enough. Now we have written this letter in front of Guru Jee, with what face can we go back to our homes.

Mata Jee further said “ What will our own say when we get back, have you had darshan of Guru Jee? People will mock us, how will we be able to go outside our homes? Wake up Lions! Rise up, Guru Sahib is merciful, he will forgive us, lets get ready. Mata Jee stood up and ignited the fire in their hearts.

Seeing this Bhai Bhag Singh and the rest of the 40 Sikhs tightened their Kamarkasey and set off in help of Guru Jee. They began their flight with “Sat Sree Akaal” shouts and then mounted on their horses.

They eventually reached a water reservoir, the enemy forces were heading towards this direction. They started to make preparations for the oncoming battle.

Guru Jee was on the other side of the water reservoir positioned on top of a hill. An agent of Sirhind came in search of Guru Jee. Seeing him Guru Jee hit him with an arrow.

Wazir Khan with his army had reached the reservoir they were met with arrows from the Jatha of Khalsa. No one advanced for a while a battle of Guns and arrows took place. When the arrows and bullets finished the Khalsa took out their Khandey and Kirpana and advanced towards the enemy shouting “Sat Sree Akaal”. Smoke was being seen on the battle, iron was hitting iron. The Khalsa made the enemy remember Alaah.

The battle continued until no Khalsa was seen standing, the enemy then decided to retreat. The Sun had already set, Guru Jee was on his way to see Maan Singh and the rest of the Jatha at the bank of the reservoir.

Guru Jee ordered to pick up the body of Bhai Maan Singh first as he was the furthest Shaheed that went into the enemy. Guru Jee cleaned Bhai Maan Singh’s face with his Rumal and said he is a Sava Lakhee(125000 Fighter). Guru Jee personally went to all the Shaheed Khalsa and did the same, calling some Das Hazaree(10000 fighter), some Bees Hazaree(20000 fighter), some Panjah Hazaree (50000 fighter) depending on how far they had gone into the enemy.

Out of all the Sikhs four were still alive Bhai Rai Singh(relative of Shaheed Manee Singh), Bhai Sunder Singh, Bhai Maha Singh. Guru Jee personally was giving them water and cleaning them. The fourth was Mata Bhag Kaur who was lying near a tree. She had a bullet wound on her arm but was still doing Jaap of VahiGuru . Bhai Maan Singh and the other Shaheed’s bodies were all brought in front of Guru Jee.

Guru Jee then asked Mata Bhag Kaur “what is your wish? Mata Jee replied “Maharaj! With your grace I am fine, I have only one injury nothing else.

Guru Jee then asked the other three Sikhs “what is your wish?” out of the three Bhai Rai Singh spoke and said “Gareeb-Nivaz! If you are happy with us then please tear the Panchiat letter from us and bless us with Sikhee Dhaan”

Guru Jee said “Dhan Sikhee, Dhan Sikhee, Dhan Sikhee” three times. He took out the letter and tore it to shreds. Guru Jee stayed with all these Sikhs all night and shared Bachan Bilas with them. The first to attain Shaheedee from them was Bhai Sunder Singh and then the other two Singhs became Shaheed.

This Saka happened on samat 30th Poh 1762 (BK). Guru Jee gave all the Shaheeds the title of Muktey. He named this reservoir Isharsar Muktsar.

After the night, Sree Asaa Dee Vaar(this is the way it is written in this account) was done at Amrit Vela. Guru Jee asked Bhai Dhaan Singh to get some Ghee, Flour and Sugar. Degh of thrihaval was prepared. Ishnaan of all the Shaheed Khalsey was done and the bodies were then placed on a pile of wood. Guru Jee himself recited Sohila Paath and afterwards stood up and did Ardas. GurSikhs shook the Skies with their shouts of “Sat Sree Akaal”. Guru Jee with blessings of VahiGuru lit the fire with his own hands. Degh was then distributed amongst the sangat.

Guru Jee started a divan in memory of the Shaheeds, in this he told the Sikhs that “These 40 Muktey have given their heads for dharam / righteousness and have achieved high status. Today is the Sangrand of Magh whichever Sikh does Ishnaan in this Mukhat pool on this day will receive the same benefit as doing Ishnaan of Aatsat Thirat. All day Guru Jee sat in this Divan and gave Bachan Bilas. When night came the GurSikhs sat near where the funeral pyre was lit.

Next morning at Amrit Vela Sree Asaa Dee Vaar was done and afterwards Bhai Dhaan Singh and the others covered the place of cremation with sand. The Hukam was then given to move on. Some locals came to meet Guru Jee and the Sangat. Guru Jee told them that after we have gone do not move or touch the place where the Shaheeds have been cremated, cover it up to a noticeable high level. You will receive blessings in doing this seva. One day a Sikh of mine will come and will make this place a Shaheedee Asthan. From now on my Sikhs will remember these 40 Mukhtey twice daily in their Ardas.