Satkaar

Press Release 16th October 2010. Grays, Essex. UK Sangat prevents party at Grays Gurdwara; resolves to close down all Gurdwara party halls Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh On Saturday 16 October, at least 250 Gursikhs from across the UK, who have love and satkaar for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaaj, went to Grays Gurdwara to prevent the Beadbi of meat and alcohol being served on Gurdwara premises. On arrival, they found a committee that was still adamant that the party would go ahead. The Sangat went to the proposed party hall and did Simran, Chaupai Sahib Paath and Kirtan. The committee and family soon realised that the party could not take place due to the sheer numbers of Sangat that had come. The Sangat then requested for the committee members to come in front of the Sangat and pledge that they would not hold parties on the Gurdwara premises going forwards. The committee refused to come face to face with the Sangat. Once it was confirmed that the party would not be going ahead, the Sangat then went into the Darbar Hall in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaaj. Once again, the committee were requested to come and openly face the Sangat in the Darbar Hall. The committee refused. They wanted a meeting in a side room, whereas the Sangat wanted transparency. After a period of stalemate, the Sangat approved for 7/8 Gursikhs to meet the committee members in a meeting room. These Gursikhs told the committee members in no uncertain terms that the party hall must be stopped, and explained the Akal Takhat Sahib Sandesh that requires for no meat or alcohol to be served on Gurdwara premises. The committee said that although they abided by Akal Takhat Sahib, they were in no position to take a decision as their local community had approved the usage of the party hall. As no resolution was being reached, the Gursikhs explained to the Sangat in the Darbar Hall what had happened. The Sangat unanimously decided that the Grays Gurdwara committee and local community be given one more month to confirm that they will abide by the Akal Takhat Sahib Sandesh, and to confirm that no meat and alcohol will be served on the Gurdwara premises going forwards. Further, no parties should be held in the intervening month, and if the committee seeks to hold any more parties at the Gurdwara in the future, the Sangat will again come to Grays Gurdwara to stop any Beadbi occurring. All this will be re-communicated to the Grays Gurdwara committee in an open letter, copies of which will be made available on the internet. The worldwide Sangat will be kept fully informed of the Grays Gurdwara committee's response in due course. The Sangat also resolved, and did Ardaas in front of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaaj, that each member of Sangat that had come would personally take responsibility to ensure that each Gurdwara Sahib complies with the Akal Takhat Sahib Sandesh and would work peacefully towards preventing the Beadbi that currently occurs in 14 or so other Gurdwara Sahibs in the UK, where meat and alcohol is served on Gurdwara premises. The Grays incident has galvanised the Sangat's spirit, determination and resolve to peacefully rid the curse of meat and alcohol in all UK Gurdwaras. Throughout the protest, the Sangat maintained a peaceful presence, and was focused only on ensuring that Akal Takhat Sahib's Sandesh is respected and no meat and alcohol is served on Gurdwara premises. The Sangat was thankful to all Gurdwara Sahibs, organisations and jathebandiaa that had publicly supported this peaceful protest. All Gurdwara Sahibs, organisations and jathebandiaa are humbly requested to support this campaign whole-heartedly going forwards. Finally, the Sangat thanked the Sikh media channels, Sikh TV and Sikh Channel, as they were present throughout and recorded the day's proceedings. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh ------------------------------------- Satkaar@hotmail.co.uk

Gill10/Satgur7/Grays Committee, Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh! Many thanks for making contact on this forum. Just to clarify a point. It is NOT a "protest" (as you have termed) taking place on Saturday 16 October 2010, it is an "assembly" of Sikhs who will pay reverence to the holy Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj at Grays Gurdwara as well as hold a courteous dialogue with the members of the Grays Gurdwara regarding the social issues of alcohol abuse, teachings of the Sikh Gurus and Sri Akal Takht Maryada. Members of Grays Gurdwara have been made aware of this.

Self Edited.

Vaheguru ji ka Khalsa Vaheguru ji Ki Fateh! Protocol for meeting scheduled with Grays Gurdwara Committee on 16th October 2010. Gursikhs are requested to start gathering at the Grays Gurdwara at 12pm sharp. A meeting with the committee has been requested for 2pm. A large Gursikh presence is requested to show the Grays Gurdwara Committee that the UK Sikh Sangat has been deeply hurt by the sacrilege of allowing meat, alcohol and tobacco within the Gurdwara premises and properties where Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is present However: - Gursikhs attending must understand that there may still not be a resolve during the meeting - Gursikhs must show restraint and conduct themselves respectfully even when addressing the Gurdwara Committee members or any attendees of the Party. - Intimidation or violent behaviour will NOT be tolerated - Support those Gursikhs who will be taking a lead on the day - Do not come looking intimidating i.e. do not wear hoodies or any face coverings. To show solidarity please wear blue Dastars, Rumallas and Chunnis. - No swearing or slogans will be permitted, you must partake in Naam Simiran, Mool Mantra and Chaupai Sahib Jaap to receive blessings from Guruji - Gursikhs must educate the unaware and the foolish about Gursikh principles and Akal Takhat Rehit Maryada, leaflets will be available for distribution - The power of Gursikhs (men and women, old and young) turning up in large numbers, showing solidarity and restraint, adhering to Guruji principles, will portray a stronger message to this committee and the other Gurdwara committees who allow this beadbi to happen on a weekly basis in Gurdwara properties. - Sikh Tv will be present for you to voice your concerns to the wider Sikh Community - Sewdars will provide Langar on the day This is the first time in many years that the Sikh Community collectively will be standing up to stop this beadbi from happening across the UK. It could take many years to eradicate this from our Community and your support will be need over this time. Vaheguru ji ka Khalsa Vaheguru ji Ki Fateh! ------------------------------------------------------------------ Satkaar@hotmail.co.uk

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh! Please find below a scanned version of the letter (2 Pages) sent to the committee of Grays Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) along with copies of the Akal Takht Hukumnama of 1998 and Sandesh of 2006.

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh! Despite communications being sent out to the prominent UK Sikh leadership, large Gurdwaras , Sikh media and the administration of Sri Akal Takht Sahib we are in the unfortunate situation that the prabhandak committee of Grays Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) will allow the meat and alcohol to be served at a private party on the afternoon of Saturday 16th October 2010. At this stage the Sikh sangat and panthic jathebhandis are humbly requested to take the responsibility of contacting the committee of Grays Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) immediately, with the collective view that the sanctity of the sacred Gurdwara complex be upheld and the party does not go ahead in the Gurdwara Community Hall. Grays Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) 6 Maidstone Road Grays Essex RM17 6NF 01375 376086 or 01375 407654 President of the Committee President: Gurdip Singh Dhillion Other Committee members Gen Secretary : Kewal Singh Dhillon Trustees : Baljinder Singh Brar Trustees : Baldev Singh Gill Building Maintenance : Gurdev Singh Kang Sub committee who manage the Community Hall Kewal Singh Grewal Baldev Singh Dhanoa ---------------------------------------------------------------- Satkaar Sabha UK Satkaar@hotmail.co.uk

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh! Sri Akal Takht Sahib responded last week requesting the full names of the Grays Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee members. The following details were forwarded to Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Punjab today President of the Committee who voted against the notion of meat and alcohol being served on the premises of the Gurdwara President: Gurdip Singh Dhillion Committee members who voted in favour of meat and alcohol to be allowed on the premises of the Gurdwara Gen Secretary : Kewal Singh Dhillon Trustees : Baljinder Singh Brar Trustees : Baldev Singh Gill Building Maintenance : Gurdev Singh Kang Sub committee formalised on 30 May to manage the Hall Kewal Singh Grewal Baldev Singh Dhanoa We were also informed that the Gurudwara Office direct telephone is 01375 407654 NB. the other number (01375 376086) is a general number that is answered by general Gurdwara sewadars. Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh! Satkaar Sabha Satkaar@hotmail.co.uk

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh! Updates to the actions taken by the sangat in relation to the concerns of meat and alcohol being served on the premises of Grays Gurdwara Des Pardes weekly newspaper has published their article about the shameful decision made by the Gurdwara; Another article has been mail shot to all European Gurdwaras urging their action in addressing the issue. Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh! Satkaar Sabha satkaar@hotmail.co.uk

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaehguru Ji Ki Fateh! In response to the actions taken against the Grays Gurdwara Prabhandak committee. The following have been done by various sewadars around the UK and Punjab: Full details of issue sent directly to Sri Akal Takht Sahib and presented in front of Punj Singh Sahiban on 6th June 2010. Awaiting feedback. Details of issue distributed to Sikh/Punjabi media, including Sikh Channel, Punjab Radio, Akash Radio, Sukhsagar Radio, Amrit Bani Radio, Des Pardes and Punjab Times. No response as yet. As of today only Panthic.org have published an article on the issue. Article to be mail shot to all European Gurdwaras urging their action on this issue. Sewa to be completed this week. We are also aware that other sewadars have been in contact with some prominant Panthic Jathebhandis in the UK as well as India. A number of these influential Jathebhadis have also made direct contact with Sri Akal Takht Sahib (including a direct discussion with Jathedar Ji) and SGPC. Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh! Satkaar Sabha satkaar@hotmail.co.uk

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh! In response to the claims of the Grays Gurdwara Prabhandak committee that the Party Hall is a separate entity from the main Gurdwara Sahib and therefore the activties will be mutually exclusive to one another. As mentioned earlier, over the years some of the Gurdwara Prabhabndak committees have formulated loopholes around the whole meat, alcohol and party hall issue. In some instances, the separation of the hall is justified by walls, sealed doors or the formation of a different committee. In the example of Grays Gurdwara, the building complex is an L-shape. On the ground floor exists the langar hall, toilets and the party hall (where meat and alcohol will be served). The first floor has the main darbar hall, the second darbar hall, punjabi class rooms and the granthi's flat. The sachkhand is located on the second floor. The one car park exists through the whole complex. Please refer to illustration below of the Gurdwara complex layout. The architecture of this complex makes it impossible to isolate the manmat activities related to the party hall from the gurmat activies of the Gurdwara sahib. Further to the moral detrimental effect this will have on the Grays Sikh community, it is also in direct violation to what the Sikhs' most respected and highest seat of authority (Sri Akal Takht Sahib) clearly states in the Sandesh. Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh! Satkaar Sabha Satkaar@hotmail.co.uk

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh! Over the years some of these the Gurdwara Prabhabndak committees' have been devious in presenting loop holes around the whole meat, alcohol and party hall issue. The Akal Takht Sandesh 2006 was issued as an elaboration off 1998 Hukumnama giving more detail to the anti Sikh activities NOT allowed within all the annexes of a Gurdwara complex. This is to be viewed as an official religious document endorsed by the highest Sikh authority providing instruction to the entire global Sikh community. When the religious injunctions outlined by Sri Akal Takht Sahib are not adhered to then the Punj Singh Sahiban only view each case in isolation. Unfortunate as it is, when any issues are presented to the leadership in Punjab, they need to see them as specific and request proof in the form of videos and photographs. For every Gurdwara complex where these anti Sikh activities take place, the names of the committee, witness statements, pictures and videos are always requested in order for a strong case to be presented in front of the Punj Singh Sahiban. In turn, we should have an expectation that the anti Sikh Prabhandak committee will be summoned by the Jathedar and Punj Singh Sabhiban of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. In regards to the anti Sikh halls within the Gurdwara annex that exist or a being planned in the UK, it is now even more important to collect detailed information (as outlined above) and presented one by one to the Punj Singh Sahiban. Some active Gursikhs in Punjab have taken on the responsibility of meeting regularly with the Punj Singh Sabhiban to present specific issues of beadbi, not just in India. Through them we may have a route which allows us a platform to combat the grave concerns we have in the UK about the erosion of Sikh activities within our Guru Ghar complexes. It is unfortunate that our UK home grown jathebhandis' are not showing the kind of leadership we so desperately need from them in relation to these issues. Our media is also shying away from the issue even though many prominent young UK Gursikhs have been in contact with them. This then leaves us with a dynamic grass roots led insurgence, which we can now clearly see from the coming together of Gursikhs in relation to what has happened in Grays from around the country. It is through the uproar made by those Gursikhs who went to Grays, those who have been communicating on the internet, those who have been distributing articles and through a large established network of British Sikhs that the leadership in Punjab might just be beginning to hear us again. Satkaar Sabha Satkaar@hotmail.co.uk Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh! Sadh Sangat Ji, On Sunday 6th june 2010 there will be a meeting of the Panj Singh Sahiban at Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, Amritsar. A presentation will be done to the Panj Singh Sahiban outlining what has happened in Grays, UK and will be filed as a new case of beadbi. Please can you urgently forward any further pictures, videos or comments to satkaar@hotmail.co.uk. Many thanks in advance Satkaar Sabha Satkaar@hotmail.co.uk Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh!