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L
E T T E R May 12, 2003 I have been closely following the Kala Afghana controversy ever since its inception. I have carefully studied all the issues inherent in it, have meticulously analysed the relevant writings and have discussed these with numerous scholars, authors, informed laypersons and well-meaning people. On the strength of my exercise, I am convinced that the books authored by Gurbaksh Singh Kala Afghana are well researched, based on authentic information, are in conformity with the Sikh scripture and constitute an authentic interpretation of Sikh theology. These are, therefore, beneficial to the spiritual health of the Sikh people. All those who find fault with these works do so out of gross ignorance or with the deliberate malevolent intention of throwing Sikhism back into the lap of unwholesome ritualism and uninformed medieval morass. This amounts to undoing the work of the great Gurus and numerous martyrs. I have further noticed that those who assail Kala Afghana most base themselves on a chance mention of historical facts in his works. They fail to recognise that he is not a historian neither is his thesis historical in nature. He is a theologian and his propositions are theologically sound. In my humble opinion, the following render the works
of Gurbaksh Singh Kala Afghana totally innocent: 1. Kala Afghana takes care to present only those formulations,
conclusions and suggestions which are supported by at least five verses
of Guru Granth. He further adopts the meanings of gurubani as propounded
by Dr. Sahib Singh and takes no liberty with the Guru's word. 2. Before publishing his conclusions, Kala Afghana takes
care to circulate his books among Sikh institutions (including the Akal
Takhat and the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee) and scholars making
humble fervent appeals for guidance. All available evidence indicates
that he takes genuine suggestions received in response seriously and accommodates
justified objections. 3. He and his supporters' repeated requests for openness,
fairness and for recording of all proceedings and discussions for public
information have elicited no response from those occupying the Akal Takhat.
Similarly the pleas of prominent lawyers and eminent scholars for meticulously
following the laws of natural justice have been turned down. The `five
Singhs' have rejected many requests even for supplying a copy of the original
complaint. This clearly indicates that those who oppose Kala Afghana have
no justification whatsoever for doing so. They are not prepared to submit
their objections for public scrutiny because they are afraid that their
unreasonableness would be exposed. From what has happened so far, it is possible to conclude
that the `five Singhs' or `the high priests' as they call themselves,
are determined to use the usurped powers of the Akal Takhat against Kala
Afghana and to `proscribe' his books. The callousness of the priestly
class is known to all history. The Sarbat Khalsa must refuse to be let down and must
warn the `five Singhs' against highhandedness on its behalf. It must ensure
that gurmat is not harmed in any way. Fair name of Guru Hargobind, the
prince of the just, must never be tarnished by the misguided zeal of the
self-righteous, highly opinionated people unfortunately at the helm of
Sikh affairs. related: Kala
Afghana declared ‘tankhaiya’
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