Grays-Sangat Prevents Party At Grays Gurdwara

[Satkaar]

Press Release

16^th 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

[SouthamptonBhujangi]

UK Sangat peacefully requesting the Grays Committee to speak to them in the community hall (party hall)

Singhs and Singhnis were doing kirtan since morning in the community hall forcing the family to re-arrange its party to another venue

UK Sangat voicing their concerns to Sikh Tv and Sikh Channel, who filmed the day's events, that this committee and other gurdwara committees have affliated community halls with the sole purpose of allowing partys where meat and alcohol can be served. This is against Sikh Rehit Maryada and must stop

[gurudashere]

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Yesterday was a victory for the Khalsa, a foundation has been laid upon which this movement will now with Guru Sahib's kirpa spread across the whole of Uk.

Could somebody please put up with full translations the two Hukamnamas that were taken yesterday. Sangat who did not attend will be left breathless when they read them. Akaaal

[guruji's_student]

With Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Arjan Dev Sahibs kirpa the hukamnama are as follows~:

The first hukamnama maharaj ji bless sangat with:

This Shabad is by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Raag Dhanaasree on Pannaa 677

DnwsrI mÚ 5 ]

dhhanaasaree ma 5 ||

Dhanaasaree, Fifth Mehla:

so kq frY ij Ksmu sm@wrY ]

so kath ddarai j khasam samhaarai ||

One who contemplates his Lord and Master - why should he be afraid?

fir fir pcy mnmuK vycwry ]1] rhwau ]

ddar ddar pachae manamukh vaechaarae ||1|| rehaao ||

The wretched self-willed manmukhs are ruined through fear and dread. ||1||Pause||

isr aUpir mwq ipqw gurdyv ]

sir oopar maath pithaa guradhaev ||

The Divine Guru, my mother and father, is over my head.

sPl mUriq jw kI inrml syv ]

safal moorath jaa kee niramal saev ||

His image brings prosperity; serving Him, we become pure.

eyku inrMjnu jw kI rwis ]

eaek nira(n)jan jaa kee raas ||

The One Lord, the Immaculate Lord, is our capital.

imil swDsMgiq hovq prgws ]1]

mil saadhhasa(n)gath hovath paragaas ||1||

Joining the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, we are illumined and enlightened. ||1||

jIAn kw dwqw pUrn sB Twie ]

jeean kaa dhaathaa pooran sabh t(h)aae ||

The Giver of all beings is totally pervading everywhere.

koit klys imtih hir nwie ]

kott kalaes mittehi har naae ||

Millions of pains are removed by the Lord's Name.

jnm mrn sglw duKu nwsY ]

janam maran sagalaa dhukh naasai ||

All the pains of birth and death are taken away

gurmuiK jw kY min qin bwsY ]2]

guramukh jaa kai man than baasai ||2||

from the Gurmukh, within whose mind and body the Lord dwells. ||2||

ijs no Awip ley liV lwie ]

jis no aap leae larr laae ||

He alone, whom the Lord has attached to the hem of His robe,

drgh imlY iqsY hI jwie ]

dharageh milai thisai hee jaae ||

obtains a place in the Court of the Lord.

syeI Bgq ij swcy Bwxy ]

saeee bhagath j saachae bhaanae ||

They alone are devotees, who are pleasing to the True Lord.

jmkwl qy Bey inkwxy ]3]

jamakaal thae bheae nikaanae ||3||

They are freed from the Messenger of Death. ||3||

swcw swihbu scu drbwru ]

saachaa saahib sach dharabaar ||

True is the Lord, and True is His Court.

kImiq kauxu khY bIcwru ]

keemath koun kehai beechaar ||

Who can contemplate and describe His value?

Git Git AMqir sgl ADwru ]

ghatt ghatt a(n)thar sagal adhhaar ||

He is within each and every heart, the Support of all.

nwnku jwcY sMq ryxwru ]4]3]24]

naanak jaachai sa(n)th raenaar ||4||3||24||

Nanak begs for the dust of the Saints. ||4||3||24||

The 2nd hukamnama bless by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Sahib ji was as follows:

This Shabad is by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Raag Dhanaasree on Pannaa 681

DnwsrI mhlw 5 ]

dhhanaasaree mehalaa 5 ||

Dhanaasaree, Fifth Mehla:

dUq dusmn siB quJ qy invrih pRgt pRqwpu qumwrw ]

dhooth dhusaman sabh thujh thae nivarehi pragatt prathaap thumaaraa ||

All demons and enemies are eradicated by You, Lord; Your glory is manifest and radiant.

jo jo qyry Bgq duKwey Ehu qqkwl qum mwrw ]1]

jo jo thaerae bhagath dhukhaaeae ouhu thathakaal thum maaraa ||1||

Whoever harms Your devotees, You destroy in an instant. ||1||

inrKau qumrI Eir hir nIq ]

nirakho thumaree our har neeth ||

I look to You continually, Lord.

murwir shwie hohu dws kau kru gih auDrhu mIq ] rhwau ]

muraar sehaae hohu dhaas ko kar gehi oudhharahu meeth || rehaao ||

O Lord, Destroyer of ego, please, be the helper and companion of Your slaves; take my hand, and save me, O my Friend! ||Pause||

suxI bynqI Twkuir myrY Ksmwnw kir Awip ]

sunee baenathee t(h)aakur maerai khasamaanaa kar aap ||

My Lord and Master has heard my prayer, and given me His protection.

nwnk And Bey duK Bwgy sdw sdw hir jwip ]2]13]44]

naanak anadh bheae dhukh bhaagae sadhaa sadhaa har jaap ||2||13||44||

Nanak is in ecstasy, and his pains are gone; he meditates on the Lord, forever and ever. ||2||13||44||

[SouthamptonBhujangi]

With Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Arjan Dev Sahibs kirpa the hukamnama are as follows~:

The first hukamnama maharaj ji bless sangat with:

This Shabad is by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Raag Dhanaasree on Pannaa 677

DnwsrI mÚ 5 ]

dhhanaasaree ma 5 ||

Dhanaasaree, Fifth Mehla:

so kq frY ij Ksmu sm@wrY ]

so kath ddarai j khasam samhaarai ||

One who contemplates his Lord and Master - why should he be afraid?

fir fir pcy mnmuK vycwry ]1] rhwau ]

ddar ddar pachae manamukh vaechaarae ||1|| rehaao ||

The wretched self-willed manmukhs are ruined through fear and dread. ||1||Pause||

isr aUpir mwq ipqw gurdyv ]

sir oopar maath pithaa guradhaev ||

The Divine Guru, my mother and father, is over my head.

sPl mUriq jw kI inrml syv ]

safal moorath jaa kee niramal saev ||

His image brings prosperity; serving Him, we become pure.

eyku inrMjnu jw kI rwis ]

eaek nira(n)jan jaa kee raas ||

The One Lord, the Immaculate Lord, is our capital.

imil swDsMgiq hovq prgws ]1]

mil saadhhasa(n)gath hovath paragaas ||1||

Joining the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, we are illumined and enlightened. ||1||

jIAn kw dwqw pUrn sB Twie ]

jeean kaa dhaathaa pooran sabh t(h)aae ||

The Giver of all beings is totally pervading everywhere.

koit klys imtih hir nwie ]

kott kalaes mittehi har naae ||

Millions of pains are removed by the Lord's Name.

jnm mrn sglw duKu nwsY ]

janam maran sagalaa dhukh naasai ||

All the pains of birth and death are taken away

gurmuiK jw kY min qin bwsY ]2]

guramukh jaa kai man than baasai ||2||

from the Gurmukh, within whose mind and body the Lord dwells. ||2||

ijs no Awip ley liV lwie ]

jis no aap leae larr laae ||

He alone, whom the Lord has attached to the hem of His robe,

drgh imlY iqsY hI jwie ]

dharageh milai thisai hee jaae ||

obtains a place in the Court of the Lord.

syeI Bgq ij swcy Bwxy ]

saeee bhagath j saachae bhaanae ||

They alone are devotees, who are pleasing to the True Lord.

jmkwl qy Bey inkwxy ]3]

jamakaal thae bheae nikaanae ||3||

They are freed from the Messenger of Death. ||3||

swcw swihbu scu drbwru ]

saachaa saahib sach dharabaar ||

True is the Lord, and True is His Court.

kImiq kauxu khY bIcwru ]

keemath koun kehai beechaar ||

Who can contemplate and describe His value?

Git Git AMqir sgl ADwru ]

ghatt ghatt a(n)thar sagal adhhaar ||

He is within each and every heart, the Support of all.

nwnku jwcY sMq ryxwru ]4]3]24]

naanak jaachai sa(n)th raenaar ||4||3||24||

Nanak begs for the dust of the Saints. ||4||3||24||

IN THE DARBAR SAHIB: The Grays Gurdwara committee were afraid to meet with the sangat in the gurdwara darbar sahib, so five singhs were chosen to go down and speak to them. The sangat did ardas and hukamnama was read by Bhai Sahib to start this battle against Gurdwara party halls:

IN THE PARTY HALL: Bhai Sahib commending the UK Sangat who came from across the country to stop Grays Gurdwara fom allowing meat and alcohol to be served on Gurdwara Property:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rICb-JGfSu8

[conqthemind]

Dhan Dhan UK Sangat - keep it up!

[Only five]

Thank you to the Singhs and Singhnis that took it upon themselves to go to the Gurdwara and peacfully protested this beadbi done by a few. Hopefully this has woken up other sangats in others parts of the UK and in other countries, where they will take the same step in stopping this disrepect from taking place.

Dhan Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib ji Maharaj is on your side.

IN THE DARBAR SAHIB: The Grays Gurdwara committee were afraid to meet with the sangat in the gurdwara darbar sahib, so five singhs were chosen to go down and speak to them. The sangat did ardas and hukamnama was read by Bhai Sahib to start this battle against Gurdwara party halls:

Can someone put up the Hukam Guru Sahib gave Guru ki sangat on this issue.

[guptkuri]

congrats to uk sangat. you guys are an inspiration to sangat around the world. I hope more will follow your lead and fight beadbi in such a peaceful productive manner.

[MentalSingh]

this is an excellent result for all your hard work. hope your work will continue around the other gurdwara in the UK were such beadbi is taking place.

[Pyara]

Sadh Sangat ji,

It was extremely uplifting to see such a large number of Sikhs from around the country gather at Grays to oppose the anti Sikh activities/resolutions passed by the local committee and community of Grays Gurdwara.

I personally have never witnessed such a diverse turnout of Sikhs before. The sangat roop did not just consist of naujwaan 'tyar bar tyar' Singhs, but this time our Singniya, Elders and Sehajdhari brothers/sisters stood with us side by side. Not only did this gathering feel historical, but there was an immense feeling that a foundation has now been established to uproot the beadbi of party halls run by our Prabhandhak committees. In the past Gursikhs have been accused of many fabricated things when they have opposed the anti Gurmat actions of these influential committees. This time the transparency of the Sikh media (via Sikh Channel and Sikh TV) will allow all to see how these committees actually act and how they have no concerns about dishonouring the Guru's Maryada by promoting the distribution of alcohol, meat, tobacco and the belligerent party atmosphere.

There is confirmation that Sikh Channel (Sky channel 840) will be airing the whole day on Wednesday (20 October 2010) evening. Can anyone else get an update from Sikh TV and advise what day they plan airing this?

In between now and what the Sangat decided on the day (see Satkaar Press Release above), we still need to gather as much support from our Prabhandaks and Jathebhadis as possible. The letter writing must continue and it's important we continue to wake our leaders up to this issue. So far the following Gurdwaras/Jathebhandi's made direct contact with the Grays Committee:

Letters Sent from:

-Central London Gurdwara (Khalsa Jatha UK), Shepherds Bush, London

-Singh Sabha Gurdwara Hitchin, Hitchin, Hertfordshire

-Gurdwara Singh Sabha London East, Barking, Essex

-Gurdwara Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, Coventry

-Akhand Kirtan Jatha UK

Phone Contact made from Prabhandaks (please also scan any letters sent):

-Gurdwara Singh Sabha Southall, Southall, Middlesex

-Gurdwara Singh Sabha Slough, Slough, Berkshire

-Guru Har Rai Gurdwara, West Bromwich, Sandwell

-Individual members of Sikh Federation UK

-Scottish Sikhs

No contact or interest still shown by the following who claim national Sikh representation:

-British Sikh Consultative Forum

-Network of Sikh Organisations

-Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ)

-National Sikh Council UK (Established via Sikh Channel)