The first Sunday of February when I was doing my rounds distributing the newsletter, I was stopped by two officials of the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation. One was a very angry Rajwant Singh and the other, I didn’t get his name, may have been the Chairman. Rajwant Singh demanded that I stop passing out any more papers, saying that it was nothing but propaganda and that some people did not want it there. The other gentleman did not speak much.

I pointed out to them that some people had come up to me, interested in reading the newsletter. So why don’t we just let the Sangat decide whether they want to read it or not. It is easy enough to toss the newsletter in the trash. Needless to say, Rajwant Singh did not like the idea and demanded that I stop instantly or he would call the authorities.

There were two topics printed in the newsletter which he indicated that he did not approve of. First was the Nov 2001 article about what happened with the “Sikhs for America” advertisement and why all the Gurdwaras dropped their support. Rajwant Singh said that his side was not presented. The second was the continuing coverage of the Guru Nanak Foundation of America (GNFA) controversy which has been going on since the newsletter first appeared. Rajwant Singh said that, “we don’t want their trouble here” and that I shouldn’t be digging up things.

I told him that I though I had plenty of information to write on both topics, and that he was always welcome to write his opinion. I made statements about free speech and free press. And to make a long story short, he did not agree. After 5 to 10 minuted of arguing, Rajwant Singh said that I need to submit a formal letter requesting the management to allow me to distribute the newsletter. So I left.

I mailed the letter shortly thereafter, trying to convince him to let me deliver the newsletter. I also stated that if he or anyone wished to write a comment, I would print it. Well, that letter was mailed out to GGSF back in early February and I still do not have a response. About a week ago, I sent an email to Rajwant Singh requesting that I just be able to leave the newsletters in the Gurdwara for anyone to pick up. This was the arrangement the management at GNFA and I agreed to. Again, no response.

Looking back at the articles in the Sikh Sentinel, it is interesting to note that from Nov to Feb, there were 23 articles and 14 editorials. Only 1 mentioned Rajwant Singh and none indulged in character assassination or personal attacks.

It is a shame that living in this country still does not guarantee that everyone will adhere to basic values of the Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Press.