Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab (KP/UNI) - The much lauded conference organized by Dhumma faction of the Damdami Taksal and the Sant-Samaj concluded on Sunday. The sponsors of the event announced a formation of a new organization called the 'Darbar-e-Khalsa' that would ‘guide’ the Sikh community and create social, religious, political and economic awareness among Sikhs.
This decision was announced during the 'Virsa Sambhal Vishav Sikh Sammelan' held at Sirhind under the patronage of Damdami Taksal and Sant Samaj.
Interestingly, the event was ignored or rejected by many prominent Sikh leaders and organizations, including Panthic Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh Ji, Joginder Singh ‘Vedanti’, Sardar Simranjit Singh Mann, Jathedar Baba Ram Singh of the Damdami Taksal, Dal Khalsa, Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Khalra Mission Committee and the International Human Rights Organization (IHRO), among others.
Many of the critics had billed it to be nothing more than a meaningless show and gathering of Babas of various deras and maryadas.
Controversial figures such as Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwala, Jasbir Singh ‘Rode’ and Harvinder Sarna (brother of Parmjit Sarna of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee) also partook in the conference.
Surprisingly, Rode was given the post of coordinator for setting up the new organization. Rode, an ex-Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, is no stranger to controversy; it is not surprising to see many Panthic groups uneasy about his new role.
There was no direct criticism of any political leader including Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Parkash Badal, who did not attend the conference. However, the Congress was criticized on various fronts and at one point the SAD leadership also came under attack on the issue of ineffective debate on terrorism in Punjab Assembly session.
Mostly social issues related with Sikhs were discussed during the function. The issue of separate Calendar for the Sikhs was also raised in the function.
During the sammelan, representatives of Sant Samaj stressed that all out efforts should be made to bring about improvement in the social, economical, educational and religious spheres to make the Sikhs prosperous. A call was also given to Sikh leaders to sink their petty individual differences and to join hands for the cause of Sikhism.
Although the organizers has expected the crowds to range between 400,000 to 500,000, estimates by police and independent observers range attendance between fifty to one-hundred thousand. Nevertheless, the lower than expected turnout did not dampen the atmosphere for Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma and others, who expect to announce further plans for the new organization in Baisakhi.
Contributors include : Gurpreet Singh Mehak, UNI, and the Panthic Weekly News Bureau
