S.I.K.H.
Spiritual Inquiry with Khanda & Heart
TIME FOR CHANGE
Handsworth Mela – dishonour, behzti – is this the state of Sikhi???
“Jin Bhe adab na baani dhara, jano so sikh nehi hamara”
“He who has no fear or respect of Gurbani, know that he is not my Sikh.”
(Extract from Sikh Rehatnama)
BEADBI (intentional and unintentional disrespect) of Maharaaj Guru Granth Sahib jee is something that as Sikhs we cannot, and will not tolerate. Currently there is general unrest in the Sikh youth as more importance has been placed on this issue from Sikhs worldwide over recent years.
We don’t take Guru Maharaaj into halls, hotels, pubs and clubs because of our love and respect for Guru ji, but then why do we take maharaaj into a park; where we have no control over the code of conduct in the parks boundaries. Where ever Guru Ji is present on thakt the atmosphere of the boundaries should be the same as a Gurdwara. The same behaviour and activities should be going on as a Gurdwara. Does this happen in the Handsworth Mela?
Even maharaaj Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s horse would not enter a field where tobacco was planted. Yet we annually take saroop’s of Maharaaj Guru Granth Sahib Ji in to an environment where tobacco stubs litter the ground and where people enter under the intoxication of various substances, be it unintentionally, this is something that must be evaluated and changed as there is continued discontent in the Sikh youth.
Do you think it is acceptable to take Maharaaj into areas with rave type atmospheres, loud and noisy music, rides, with inappropriate social interaction, with a non-existent dress code, where people smoke and drink? The problem lies not with the mela in principle but whether or not we are showing true respect for Guru jee. This isn’t even taking into account the recent bad publicity we have received from last years detrimental shenanigans with the “Sikh on Sikh” violence. Just type “vaisakhi mela” and “BBC” into www.youtube.com and see the negative social profiling of Sikhs in the media coverage as well as the camera phone videos of bhangra and Punjabi gang/thug/yob culture. Then think and decide for yourself… Are these really Sikh values? Are we moving forwards? If so towards what? Why are we continually causing confusion between religion and culture?
What is the point of a darbar in Boundaries were corrupt activities are taking place. This is total disrespect to Guru Ji and it is time for the sangat to wake up.
“If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything”
“Do nothing then nothing changes”
“Prevention is better then cures”
With older generations of the Sikh community currently questioning the purpose and actual parchar of a mela, we are merely suggesting careful planning so as the youth and older community members can work together to try to avoid the disrespect and BEADBI that is prevalent in the “Vaisakhi” mela as it is. Please sign up on the petition via the website below to express your concerns towards organizers. Feel free to make comments in an appropriate and civilized manner. Many Thanks…
http://handsworthmela.blogspot.com/
http://www.petitiononline.com/sikhmela/petition.html
