TORONTO, CANADA (KP) - Panthic organizations and Gurdwara Sahibs across North America sharply condemned the August 19th, 2010 divisive decree related to Ragmala by Jathedar Iqbal Singh of Takht Sri Panta Sahib, stating its intent was not in the spirit of Panthic unity.

The joint appeal representing the concerns of a coalition of thirty (30) plus Gurdwara Sahibs and Sikh organizations requested the current Sikh leaders to refrain from issuing any reckless media statements that would create further divisions in the Sikh Panth.

Instead, the Sikh organizations appealed, the Sikh nation should unify efforts to achieve the Sikh Nation’s common goal ordained in the proclamation “Raj Karega Khalsa”, and also stay vigilant to foil the nefarious designs of the Sikh Panth's enemies.

The statement further requested that at this critical time, instead of creating divisions,  Panthic organizations should take lead responsibility to counter the onslaught of drugs and heresy that is spreading at an epidemic level in our next generation.

The Sikh organizations named in the press statement included:  Ontario Gurdwaras Committee (a group of 16 Gurdwaras located across Ontario) Canada,  Akhand Kirtani Jatha Toronto (Tapoban), Damdami Taksal Toronto (Canada), Damdami Taksal Edmonton (Canada),  Akhand Kirtani Jatha Edmonton (Canada) , Akhand Kirtani Jatha California (USA), Sri Guru Singh Sabha Malton (Canada), Sri Guru Nanak Sikh Center Reagan Road (Canada), Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Surrey-Delta (Canada), Khalsa Alliance (USA), Canadian Association of Sikh Students, Panthic Network (USA), Mata Bhag Kaur Dal Toronto (Canada), Institute of Gurmat Studies (Canada), Kaur United (Canada), Baba Deep Singh Gatka Akharra (Canada), Gurdwara Sikh Sangat Brampton (Canada), Gurdwara Tapoban Sahib (Canada), Gurdwara Jot Parkash Sahib (Canada), Sikh Spiritual Center Toronto (Canada), Sewa Charitable Missionary Society (Canada), Sri Guru Nanak Sikh Center (Canada), Sri Hargobind Sahib Gatka Akharra Toronto (Canada), Shaheed Bhai Taru Singh Sewa Society Alberta (Canada), Shaheed Bhai Fauja Singh Gatka Akharra Edmonton (Canada),  Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar (Canada), Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar La Salle Montreal (Canada), Shahbaaz Khalsa (Canada) and GURSIKH Organization (Canada).

Earlier Condemnation by S. Simranjit Singh Mann, and Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu, and others

Previously,  S. Simranjit Singh Mann,  of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) ,  Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu of Shiromani  Akali Dal (Panch Pardhani), and various units of Akhand Kirtani Jatha across India,  and Europe had also condemned Iqbal Singh’s remarks on Ragmala, cautioning that this was not the proper time to debate such divisive issues, nor does any individual entity or organization have the authority to challenge or tamper with the Sikh Rehat Maryada that was ratified in 1936 and 1945 through Panthic concensus.

See related article: Akal Takht Jathedar Rejects Iqbal Singh's Ragmala 'Edict'

Original copy of press statement as issued by Panthic organizations: