This
website is dedicated to our great savior Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in
the memory of Babu Mangu Ram Mugowalia, our great freedom fighter
& the founder of Ad Dharm |
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
| It
is saddening to learn about the passing away of your father-in-law,Mr
Dharam Singh Bharti. On behalf of myself and the supreme council
Shri Guru Ravidass Sabhas, USA, I convey deep condolences to the
bereaved family with prayers for peace and tranquility of the
departed soul. O.P. Balley
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
We are writing this letter on behalf of the Supreme Council, Shri Guru Ravidass Sabhas, USA in regard to the situation arising out of the inclusion of “Ambedkar- Nehru” cartoon in Indian text-books wherein Dr. Ambedkar has been shown and likened to a slow -moving snail in the drafting of the constitution of India and Pt. Nehru, the then prime minister of India, whipping him to hurry up. Undoubtedly
It might have provided some kind of personal entertainment for
those responsible for including this cartoon in the political
science text- books for Grade XI, but they have ignored the fact
that it has belittled and mocked the illustrious contributions
and historically acclaimed image of Baba Sahib, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar,
not only as the architect of the constitution of free India by
doing the formidable task of drafting it single-handedly but also
as the crusader and emancipator of the socially , economically
and politically down-trodden sections of Indian society. They
also perhaps failed to recognize a permanent imprint left on the
minds of the young readers of text-books about the distorted image
of “Bharat Rattan” Babasaheb. (The Jewel of India). Let
the condemnation of “Manusmriti” which has founded
and deepened the roots of caste system in India become the curricula
in the educational institutions in India so that the damage it
has been doing to the society for centuries is exposed to the
future guardians of the nation. |
|||||||||
The Ravidassia community has been passing through a lot ofsocial, religious and political strains and stresses for some timepast in regard to its religious identity and long relationship with the mainstream sikh community. We need to examine and analyze this tangled situation in its historical perspective toproject an unbiased picture. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE :- Ever since the compilation of holy GURU GRANTH SAHEB Ji by GuruArjan Dev Ji in 1604 A.D most of the lower sections of Indiansociety, especially in Northern India have devotedly followedits teachings. The basic reason behind their faithful adherence to Guru Granth Saheb was that besides sikh gurus it alsoenshrines the sacred hymns of many other spiritual masters of the “BHAGTI MOVEMENT” who happened to belong to lower castes. Guru Ravidass JI who was one of the pioneers of the movement preached equality, love and universality of one God. The evils of social inequality based on caste and religious distinctions which had plagued the Hindu society for centuries became the main inspiration of Guru Nanak Dev Ji to found a classless religion which denounced all man -made social distinctions. Despite the hazards of travel in those times Guru Nanak Dev Ji undertook five long and rigorous tours in India and abroad to enlighten the people about the true and realistic meaning of religion by exposing the hollowness and fruitlessness of ritualistic practices of that time. With the passage of time and history standing as evidence theforces of caste prejudices and distinctions perpetrated by vested interests in Sikhism itself started to overshadow the preachingsof Guru Granth Saheb Ji. The result was that socialfragmentations which Guru Nanak Dev ji , Guru Ravidass Jiand other sikh gurus wanted to abolish, started to gatherstrength again and thus the noble teachings of GURU GRANTH SAHEB were confined to its sacred pages only. Frequent changes in Sikh Maryadas , definitions of a real sikh and other differential treatments towards lower sections pushed the Ravidassia community to build their own temples and spiritual Deras .But the sanctity of Guru Granth Saheb and its teachings was always maintained with full respect and reverence. Babasaheb Dr.B.R Ambedkar , a crusader against Hindu caste system being practiced from the era of Manu Simriti and a dynamic leader and conscience of the unprivileged and the suppressed sections of Indian society once seriously considered conversion to Sikhism as a viable means of liberation from the shackles of Hindu beliefs and practices of higher and lower castes but he soon found out that caste system supported by vested interests and monopolistic trends was very much alive among Sikhs too. Sikh leaders never wanted to share the management positions in SGPC with members of the lower castes. This led Babasaheb to change his mind and he embraced Budhism with hundreds of thousands of his followers in October, 1956. This definitely put a very heavy lid on the expansion of sikhism in India and abroad. Empty Slogans:- Both Hindus and Sikhs have always been raising their empty slogans that they believe in social equality and that members of the lower castes are integral part of their social and religious hierarchy but history loudly speaks and points to the contrary. INCIDENT IN VIENNA:- With the assassination of SantRamanand of Dera Suchkhand Ballan in Vienna, Austria last year the situation has been pulling through a very chaotic phase. It is needless to mention that Dera Ballan from its very inception has been very much devoted in its efforts to propagate the teachings of Guru Granth Saheb. Leaders in SGPC in particular and other sikh organizations in general should have taken very serious and farsighted steps to avoid and stem the tide of frustration and humiliation among theRavidassia community which led to the initiation of GuruRavidass Amrit Bani as its own religious entity. ESTABLISHMENT OF SUPREME COUNCIL IN USA:-After the occurrence of this unfortunate incident inVienna the need for a central body was felt more imperatively to usher in an environment of awareness, understanding and homogeneity in our vision to start a process of reconciliation among divergent shades of public opinion all over the world.With this motive in mind the emergence of this Supreme council of all Shri Guru Ravidass sabhas USA became a reality. After its establishment the Supreme council submitted a memorandum to Government of India through the consulate General of India , San Francisco in person, sent communications to Government of Austria ,Chief Minister of Punjab and SGPC to adopt all possible measures to calm down the explosive situation created by the tragic incident in Vienna. But unfortunately all our communications went unheeded with no response. A comprehensive dialogue should have been initiated by SGPC and other centers of sikh power andinfluence in a spirit of selflessness, compassion , respect and reconciliation but nothing happened and instead widened the gulf. ANALYTICAL COMMENTARIES:- A wide range of analytical interpretations and public commentaries on this important subject are witnessed all over the world with seriouspotential and far- reaching implications on the initiation of Guru Ravidass Amrit Bani as its own religious entity. There is no question about the truth that “in theory” both Sikhism and SGGS prohibit casteism in any form but thisassertion is limited only to the holy pages of Shri Guru GranthSahib. 2. How much has SGPC or other Sikh organizations have done for assimilation of lower castes into Sikhism and recognition of their historical rights.? 3. The representation of lower castes in Sikh Gurudwaras is mostly limited to kirtan and dhadi jathas and kitchen sewadarswhile the upper management never moves from the hands of higher caste Sikhs. That is not what Guru Granth Saheb teaches us. ADHERENCE TO the Sanctity of SGGS:- In spite of thegrim situation created in context of the above facts SUPREME COUNCIL ,SHRI GURU RAVIDASS SABHAS,USA will continue its adherence to the sanctity of SHRI GURU GRANTH SAHEB JI and maintain the status-quo in itsaffiliated temples in USA till this vital issue is finally examined and settled by a galaxy of intellectuals and community scholars at an international forum .We should notdraw any hasty conclusions from the current state of affairswhich can end up in making confusions more confounded. Uniformity of Names of Deras:-The supreme council USA also requests and urges all sant 108 Deras in Panjab or elsewhere to adopt uniformity of name to their Deras as ShriGuru Ravidass Temples with their existing names to continueas additional identity. This will bring a spirit of unity and homogeneity in their religious institutions. SUGGESTED MEASURES FOR FUTURE:- It is never too late to mend the fences of mutual relationships damaged by lack of farsightedness and exploitation by anti-social elements and vested interests. To find some in-roads into the tangled situation of the day we strongly suggest and urge that SGPC ,the mainstream sikh organizations ,the spiritual Deras ofRavidassia community and well known communityintelligentsia should engage themselves into a very serious, healthy and honest dialogue based on equality and dignity torecognize the genuine and legitimate rights of Ravidassiacommunity which historically belong to them in themanagement of SGPC and other sikh shrines. If we all follow the process with a sincere insight, truth and flexibility of vision it can be a clarion call to find a way out of current divisions and social discord. INTERFAITH HARMONY AS ULTIMATE GOAL: - In conclusion of what we have stated above we would like to elaborate a little more in general that despite aprominent role any religion plays in people’s lives, a fundamental misunderstanding and ignorance about its truemeaning and function starts to gain momentum to mislead the minds of the innocent people in various faiths today. They seem to have lost connection with their true source of divinity. Every religion or faith is trying to operate to maintain its own uniqueness, traditional culture but divisive sectarianism pulls itaway from its true path. We need to involve every faith to start on the path of mutual respect and understanding to live in peace and harmony. We have to accept the universality of one Godthough with different names. “Let us release our grudges, anger, hatred and pains, because these are nothing but binding chains. Let us serve all who are in need, regardless of race, color and creed. Let us remember that we are all one , embracing all and discriminating none.” |
.JPG){kind=small}
This
year we will commemorate 119th Birthday anniversary of the great
leader of India, father of the Indian constitution, the very
conscience of the socially oppressed, who dedicated his entire
life for their emancipation and uplift, Bharat Rattan Dr.B.R.Ambedkar.
Before paying my humble tributes to the memory of the most luminous
stars in the galaxy of human intelligentsia I extend my hearty
congratulations to millions of his followers all over the world
on this auspicious occasion. NATIONALIST
:- Dr. Ambedkar was a fervent nationalist who
transcended all political differences with other national leaders
of the time with regard to his love and patriotism for his motherland.
He supported the prosecution of war against the Nazis and fascists
while appointed as labor member to Viceroy’s executive
council ,as witnessed by late Lord Mountbatten the then British
Commander-In –Chief of Allied forces in South East Asia
during world war II in his expositions on the personality of
this illustrious Indian leader. On December 6,1956 while on way to my office located right in front of Baba Sahib’s residence I heard on All India Radio the sad news of his sudden demise. I was among the very few who arrived first at his residence in the early morning where I had the rare opportunity along with five other persons to carry Baba Sahib’s mortal body from his bed room to the main lobby for public view. A vast sea of mourners ,thereafter, gathered at his residence to participate in a miles-long funeral procession to the Palam airport before flying his body to Bombay for cremation. In the end I must mention that though the lamp which guided the destiny and showed the path to millions groping in darkness was suddenly extinguished by the cruel clutches of his untimely death but his contributions and sacrifices for the unprivileged in particular and the entire Indian society in general will live forever, adorning the pages of the history of India and the world like a precious jewel. His crusade for social justice will be cherished as a perpetual source of inspiration and encouragement to fight against the forces of tyranny and injustice for generations to come. SOME FAMOUS QUOTATIONS OF BABA SAHIB:- 1.
“ Glory to those who would keep on their struggle for
the liberation of the enslaved in spite of heavy odds, carping
humiliations, storms and dangers till the down trodden secure
their rights.” |