Foxes in Lions Skin

Last weekend was very Chardikala. However, on Saturday night I had a very UPSETTING and DEPRESSING experience. I don’t wish to name names however I wish to share the gist of the experience and what happened so that we can become conscious of issues and learn something about Gurmat.

At the Monthly Youth Keertan Darbaar at Park Avenue Gurdwara I met someone who takes active role in organising the Sikh Student Camp and other events (as I have said, I don’t wish to name names as the purpose of this post is not to name and shame but to bring awareness of Gurmat). I shared my concerns with this Bhaji regarding a certain middle-aged individual in London who is propagating MANMAT (ideas contrary to the Guru’s way) and steering youngsters AWAY from REHIT (discipline), GUR-MARYADA (code of conduct) and GURBAANI.

Before I came to University I believed that anyone who had uncut hair and wore a Dastaar (turban) was great and I had HIGH EXPECTATIONS. I had even MORE RESPECT for those that were Amritdhari and I felt like touching their feet, as I believed that all Amritdharis woke up at Amrit-vela (early hours before dawn), read Nitnem and Gurbaani, didn’t swear, followed basic Sikh Rehit Maryada, and spoke the truth. When I came to University I had encounters with certain NEGATIVE INDIVIDUALS which shattered my hopes and reality came crashing.

Somebody once said to respected Baba Nihaal Singh jee, "Some Nihangs have become thieves." Baba jee answered: "It is not that Nihangs have become thieves, it’s that THIEVES HAVE BECOME NIHANGS." Similarly we should be conscious and aware that we do not brandish Amritdharis or Singhs as “bad” or “Manmukh”. Rather realise that Manmukhs have taking the GUISE (appearance) of Gursikhs, like a FOX wearing the skin of a LION.

I told the Bhaji at the Keertan Darbaar that I cannot tolerate any camp or event where this controversial character is involved in organising or is present there. I explained that this person preaches to youngsters and has said to me in front of other students that “Sikhs can drink alcohol (liquor) for Dutch courage”, “You shouldn’t read Nitnem or wake up Amrit-Vela as it increases one’s ego”, (and my tongue burns to say that he has also said that) “Gurdas Maan’s songs are more spiritual than Shabad Keertan” and that “Why did Guru Arjan Dev Ji compose Sukhmani Sahib? Its boring Paath. Who wants listen to 2 hours of paath. I suppose it’s good to go sleep to.”

I was shocked that Bhaji responded “Manvir Singh YOU CAN'T TAKE A JOKE. You should know he’s joking.” JOKING? Rab Bhalla Kare. I told Bhaji that, “There are two things which we can NEVER joke about. 1) We can NEVER joke about RAB (God), and 2) we can NEVER joke about Guru Sahib." The depressing thing was that Bhaji replied, “You are WRONG! We can joke about God and Guru jee.” I feel my tongue burning just reiterating what I heard. Waheguru. He said, “Look at the world this is God’s play. He has made a joke out of you… he has made a joke out of us. Why can’t we make a joke out of God?” This showed the painful truth of how people's thoughts and ideas change according to their company.

ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹਿ ਵਿਸਾਰਿਆ ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਭਉ ਹੇਤੁ ਅਪਾਰੁ ॥
maa-i-aa mohi visaari-aa gur kaa bha-o het apaar.
Attached to Maya, the mortal forgets the Fear of God and Guru, and love for the Infinite Lord.
(Ang 1250)

ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਮਨਿ ਭਉ ਤਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਉ ॥੨॥
naanak jinH man bha-o tinHaa man bhaa-o. ||2||
O Nanak, those whose minds are filled with the Fear of God, have the love of God in their minds as well. ||2||
(Ang 465)

Then I asked, “Is telling students that its okay to drink sharaab, go clubbing, don’t read Nitnem and don’t do Amritvela and to insult Gurbaani right?” He said that I am NARROW MINDED and that I need to “expand my mind and THINK OUT OF THE BOX.” I asked twice, “Do you think you can do ‘kentoo prentoo’, question and undermine, the Guru.” He replied, “YES”. Isn’t one showing that they are higher than the Guru? “Can we do ‘Kentoo Prentoo’, question, Amrit and Kesh?” The reply he gave was “YES”, and he also said, “How do you know your interpretation of Sikhi is the right one?” Waheguru. There is one Waheguru, one Guru, one Panth, one Guru's Rehit. There is no doubt about Guru’s Hukam. Guru Ji says:

Kesh (unshorn hair):

ਸਾਬਤ ਸੂਰਤ ਰੱਬ ਦੀ, ਭੰਨੇ ਬੇਈਮਾਨ।
ਦਰਗਹਿ ਢੋਈ ਨਾ ਮਿਲੇ, ਕਾਫ਼ਰ, ਕੁੱਤਾ, ਸ਼ੈਤਾਨ।

saabat soorat rab dee, bhanne be-eemaan.
dargehi dhoee na mile, kaafar, kuthaa, shaithaan.
"God has made the human perfect, but the dishonourable destroy it. They will find no place in the Court of God, like the unbeliever, dog and Satanist."
(Guru Nanak, Janam Saakhi)

Alcohol:

ਜਿਤੁ ਪੀਤੈ ਖਸਮੁ ਵਿਸਰੈ ਦਰਗਹ ਮਿਲੈ ਸਜਾਇ ॥
jit peetai khasam visrai dargeh milai sajaa-e.
Drinking alcohol, one forgets their Lord and Master Waheguru, and is punished in the Court of the Lord.
(Ang 554)

Reading Nitnem (daily prayers):

ਨਿਤ ਉਠਿ ਗਾਵਹੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ॥
nit uth gaavhu prabh kee baaNee.
Rise early, and sing the Glorious Word of Waheguru's Baani.
(Ang 1340)

Waking up Amrit-Vela:

ਫਰੀਦਾ ਪਿਛਲ ਰਾਤਿ ਨ ਜਾਗਿਓਹਿ ਜੀਵਦੜੋ ਮੁਇਓਹਿ ॥
ਜੇ ਤੈ ਰਬੁ ਵਿਸਾਰਿਆ ਤ ਰਬਿ ਨ ਵਿਸਰਿਓਹਿ ॥੧੦੭॥
fareedaa pichhal raat na jaagi-ohi jeevad-Ro mu-i-ohi.
je tai rab visaari-aa ta rab na visari-ohi. ||107||
Fareed, if you do not awaken in the early hours before dawn, you are dead while yet alive. Although you have forgotten God, God has not forgotten you. ||107||
(Ang 1383)

“Manvir Singh didn’t you question the Guru when you came into Sikhi.” My answer was, “No. I PUT A QUESTION with faith to Guru Sahib and Guru Ji gave me an answer. I never questioned and undermined my Guru or Gurbaani.” How can we undermine and QUESTION the Guru's Hukam and yet do Matha Tekh (bow) in front of Satguru Sri Granth Sahib Ji? HYPOCRISY? Analysing and trying understand the Guru's Hukam is different from 'questioning' and 'kentoo prentoo'. Waheguru.

Then I asked “Is it right for a person who considers themselves as a Parchaarik (Sikh preacher) to go CLUBBING?” He responded “There is more than one approach to Sikhi, how do you know your approach is right?... Quality is good but you NEED TO GET NUMBERS also...” Rab Bhalla Kare. In order to attract more people to "Sikhi" and Sikh Student events, programmes and the camp we are willing to WASH DOWN SIKHI.


Do we not fear Waheguru, and realise that we have to PAY FOR EACH AND EVERY ACTION. Sat Naam. I was very upset that standing in the Gurdwara this person could defend Manmat and speak such hurtful things about Guru Sahib and Waheguru and yet this person along with others are doing so called seva of organising the Sikh Student Camp as well as other events and youth programmes. The Giani jee from the Gurdwara was standing nearby and overheard the poisonous words being uttered and asked me I was okay. Rab Sabhnaa Nu Sumat Bakshe.

ਕੂੜੁ ਕਮਾਈਐ ਗੁਰ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਪਚੈ ਪਚਾਨੁ
kookar kooR kamaa-ee-ai gur nindaa pachai pachaan.
Those who practice falsehood are dogs; those who slander the Guru shall burn in their own fire.

ਭਰਮੇ ਭੂਲਾ ਦੁਖੁ ਘਣੋ ਜਮੁ ਮਾਰਿ ਕਰੈ ਖੁਲਹਾਨੁ ॥
bharme bhoolaa dukh ghaNo jam maar karai khulhaan.
They wander lost and confused, deceived by doubt, suffering in terrible pain. The Messenger of Death shall beat them to a pulp.

ਮਨਮੁਖਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਨ ਪਾਈਐ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਸੁਭਾਨੁ ॥੩॥
manmukh sukh na paa-ee-ai gurmukh sukh subhaan. ||3||
The self-willed manmukhs find no peace, while the Gurmukhs are wondrously joyful. ||3||
(Ang 21)

Benti:- This is NOT Nindiyaa (slander). The purpose of the post is to highlight GURMAT ISSUE rather than becoming personal and naming & shaming people. I just wish to share the thought that people are POSING as Gursikhs and in the GUISE of Gursikhs but there intentions and actions are the contrary.

Guru Ang Sang Sahaa-ee Hovan. Rab Rakha.