**POST MORTEM***

[jagjit_waheguru]

Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa!

Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!!

Pyare jio, although a post mortem may be pre-mature with the possiblilty of the play going to another venue. Still we need to evaluate so far, and improve ourselves, learning lessons, so that we do not make the same mistakes again.

LEARNING LESSONS - in my opinion:-

1. Apart from a few notable exceptions, Mohan Singh, Jasdev Singh, most of our media representation has been poor, neither concise, nor capable of winning the argument. Our spokespersons should learn from modern day politicians and leaders. The way you talk to media, is you have 2 or 3 vital argument winning points, and push them. Do not degress, waffle, or speculate. We also need more youth contributing on radio discussions, emailing news media and working on responding in a Gurmat manner.

2. The strategy has been good from The Birmingham sikhs. This is not a question of censorship, but a question of context in terms of the setting of the play,and its bringing sikhism into it. Change the setting and we have no problem. This is the message which need to be drilled more into the media. Plus that fact we support freedom of speech, our Guru were shaheed for it, but it needs to sensible and factual, and not abused with the sole intention to benefit from the publicity of controversy. This is what needs to be highlighted.

3. Youth need to stop relying on elders with hidden agendas, and become far more prominent in seva. Clearly much of this could have prevented if our so-called leaders were not more worried about their own agendas during pre-screening and far more vocal then. Birmingham singhs really need to look at this,

and remove those who have performed particularly badly in representing us.

4. Violence - this is not something we should be proud of. We should see how everyone has jumped on that, and it has encouraged thier position on us censoring them. Yes, it has made them take us seriously, but sikhs need to be wary of being seen as thugs. When questioned about this, our leaders need to condemn it. Not say they have no control over youth, this is poor. Instead they should highlight the countryside alliance protests, and show hot-headedness is in every community. Also mention, there is probably more disturbances on a saturday night in town centres, and this is being blown out of propotion. It is the Brom Rep, who cannot guarantee the safety of children, no us sikhs.

5. THE WRITER - a olive branch should be presented to the writer. The leaders of the protests should send out a statement, that if the writer will apologise for the setting on the play in a Gurdwara, and change this. Then we as Sikhs will welcome this and draw a line under this matter. But a clear apology for the setting of the play is essential! Although some may disagree with this, I feel this is essential to show we as Sikhs are trying to resolve it in a sensible way, and we are not "fatwa-like muslim fanatics". If you watch todays Channel 4 coverage it was hinted it was only middle-aged fundamental men who are protesting, hinting they have something to hide. I think we should put the pressure on the writer rather than letting her be a "Martyr to Freedom of Speech". It will also counter the whole threats things, as we are willing to have structured dialogue with her. She is the cause of this, and the person who used by the artists in their war of words. It is her the pressure should be put on.

Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa!

Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!!

[Khalsa04]

Agreeed.

Fateh.

[Nama Singh]

can we stop having so many threads on this issue please? theres way to many to keep track of.

[jagjit_waheguru]

Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa!

Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!!

Sorry please can mods amalgamate all threads, highlighting the important one presenting strategies.

Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa!

Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!!