Old Case Study

Over 100 Sikhs protest at the Lakeside Country Club, Camberely, Surrey on 31st July 2005

With Guru Ji's kirpa Sikh protesters resolved 2 separate issues this weekend where Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was to be taken banqueting halls in Wembley and Docklands to perform 'Sikh' wedding ceremonies. We would like to thank the families who fully co-operated with the protesters and re-arranged the weddings at local Gurdwara Sahibs.

There remained 1 unresolved issue where Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was to be taken to the LAKESIDE COUNTRY CLUB in Camberley, Surrey to perform a 'Sikh' wedding ceremony on Sunday (31 July 2005). Regardless of the discussions and meetings that the local Sangat had with the family, who live in Southall, they were still willing to go against the Akaal Takht Hukumnama. This was despite being able to have the wedding ceremony re-arranged at a local Southall Gurdwara at short notice.

On 31 July 2005 over 100 Sikhs from around the UK gathered together to peacefully protest at the Lakeside Country Club and prevent the Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji from being taken into the complex where meat, alcohol and cigarettes are served. A Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was brought from Guru Granth Gurdwara - Mangat Hall, Southall by Tarlochan Singh Grewal. This individual, who is in a responsible position of running the Gurdwara, transported the Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in a suitcase placed on the front seat of his van. Due to the large presence of Sikhs, Tarlochan Singh Grewal fled the scene and was unable to take Guru Ji's saroop into the premises. There was no further successful attempt to take Guru Ji's saroop onto the premises as the large presence of Sikhs hindered the entry. The family eventually re-arranged the Sikh wedding ceremony to a Gurdwara Sahib in Southampton.

The Sikhs then moved on to Guru Granth Gurdwara-Mangat Hall to confront Tarlochan Singh Grewal. Five chosen Sikhs tried to peacefully discuss the issue with Tarlochan Singh Grewal, who has persistently gone against the Akaal Takht Hukumnama and taken Guru Ji's Saroop to bars, clubs, pubs, hotels etc on numerous occasions. However, he was insistent that he had done anything wrong by denying the act and stating that he does not follow any Akaal Takht Hukumnama. A further confrontational statement was made by Tarlochan Singh Grewal's son-in-law who said that they do not acknowledge any Hukumnama or Sangat request about being responsible for taking Sir Guru Granth Sahib Ji's saroop to places where meat, alcohol and cigarettes are served. He further stated that they would continue to take Guru Ji's saroop to these kinds of venues and no one would be able to stop them. Guru ji's Saroop was then taken by the Sikhs from Guru Granth Gurdwara-Mangat Hall to a Sachkhand of another Gurdwara Sahib.

It is with great shame to know that Gurdwaras have better links with Banqueting Halls and Hotels than it has with its own Sangat. People like Tarlochan Singh Grewal are not ignorant to the disrespect they cause to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. They have sold their conscious and make a living out of deceit, lying to families and taking Guru Ji wherever anyone wants. Their charges range from £500 upwards depending of level of service. When did Guru Ji and Sikh Maryada become a commodity for sale or a service to be provided to suit us?

On these grounds, we thus implore the Sikh community in general, whether they are involved in the offending marriage ceremonies or not, to take a step backwards and reconsider where Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji stands in their life. Is the respect we display to Guru Sahib hollow and ritualistic, or does Guru Sahib really stand at the centre of our lives? Are we truly Sikhs of the Guru? By showing the appropriate respect to Guru Sahib and giving as much love and respect as possible, there can be no doubt that Guru Ji himself will bless us in our every day living and make our life more worthwhile.

Good Rap Tune

Most Of US are Gulity

Disrespect Of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, and we all have done this!

“Yesterday I stepped on Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji; funny thing was I did not even know, but when I realised I felt the pain in my heart.”

Yes at one point in our lives most of us would have done this without even knowing. Most people have lost all respect and regards for our Guru; we treat Guru Ji as a piece of paper that has no value.

Yesterday as I walked into my house I stepped on an envelope and did not think nothing of it until I opened it up……………………..

It was a wedding card, with a Big Ekonkaar at the front of it. The First sacred Limb of Gurbani. All of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is a message to explain Ekonkaar, and I just simply steeped on it…… I cannot describe how much despair I felt at the time; I cursed the person who had sent me that card (as it was their fault that I disrespected Guru Ji like that).

We all do or know someone that prints Gurbani on wedding, Akhand paat, Birthday cards etc without thinking that this will land on someone’s house floor matt, where people clean their shoes. Would you ever think of walking into a Gurdwara and walking over Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji? But in principle this is what I did when I walked on the Card in the envelope (there was no difference)

W\e use Gurbani so loosely not thinking about consequences or the respect of Gurbani. These small things that we do are the biggest mistakes we make which distance us from our Guru Ji.

Please Spread this message and encourage others not to use Gurbani on any Cards.

P.S please do not just throw old cards with Gurbani on them into the Bin, they are to be disposed of respectfully in a proper manner (They are to be cremated)

Life of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee’s adopted son Baba Zoravar Singh Ji Paalit

Every Sikh knows of Guru Gobind Singh jee's four Sahibzaadey, but very few know that Guru Sahib also had four adopted sons. These four were Baba Charan Singh jee, Baba Punjab Singh jee, Baba Ajaipal Singh jee and also Baba Zoravar Singh jee Paalit (paalit means adopted). Baba Zoravar Singh jee is not to be confused with the other Sahibzada Zoravar Singh jee who was martyred in Sirhand.

Birth and Meeting Guru Gobind Singh

Baba Zoravar Singh jee Paalit was born in the home of Bhai Nathoo Ram Lotay and Mata Bhikee jee on December 24, 1696 in Busee(n) Pathana(n). Baba Zoravar Singh jee's father, Bhai Nathoo Ram did seva in the darbaar of Guru Gobind Singh jee while Mata Bhikee jee served Mata Jeet Kaur jee and after Mata jee's passing in December 1700, she served Mata Sundar Kaur jee. Bibi Bhikee jee used to take care of the little Sahibzadas, Baba Zoravar Singh jee and Baba Fateh Singh jee.

The Wrestling Match

Bibi Bhikee jee's son also used to stay at Anandpur Sahib. One day Guru Gobind Singh jee was watching his Singhs train in martial arts. The older Sahibzaday, Baba Ajeet Singh jee and Baba Jujhaar Singh jee were practising gatkaa and archery while the two younger Sahibzaday were busy exercising. Guru Gobind Singh jee's eye fell upon Bibi Bhikee jee's son who was standing nearby watching all this. He saw that the young boy was about the same age and size as Baba Zoravar Singh jee and said, "Come, let's have a wrestling match between you and Zoravar Singh!"

The wrestling match began and Guru jee watched with great interest and amusement. In the end the young boy pinned Baba Zoravar Singh jee. Guru jee called the young boy near and embraced him, and then, putting his hand on the boy's back, said "This boy too is my Zoravar Singh!" i.e. my Powerful One. From that day foreward, Bibi Bhikee's son became Zoravar Singh and no one even remembers his original name. The adopted Baba Zoravar Singh stayed with the other Sahibzaday and played with them and learned with them and was treated just like another son of Guru Gobind Singh jee.

Leaving Anandpur Sahib

On the night of December 5th, 1705, Guru Gobind Singh jee and the Sikhs left the fort of Anandpur and at that time, Baba Zoravar Singh Paalit also accompanied the Singhs. Baba Zoravar Singh was not yet nine years old, but he accompanied the great hero Bhai Bacchitar Singh. When the big group of Sikhs passed Keeratpur Sahib and reached the banks of the Sirsa, the armies of the Hill Chiefs attacked. Guru Sahib divided the Singhs into four groups. One Jatha led by Bhai Udai Singh was sent to the Shahee Tibee, another under Bhai Jeevan Singh jee was sent to counter the Hill-Chiefs and Bhai Bachhitar Singh was sent forward to block the approach of the Mughal army from Sirhand.

Bhai Bachhitar Singh jee's jatha met up with the Mughal army at village Malkpur. Little Baba Zoravar Singh was also with this Jatha. The Singhs fell upon the Mughals, charging forward to stop the massive Mughal army's advance. They were not fighting to protect their lives; they were fighting to prevent the Mughal army from advancing and attacking the rest of the Singhs that were crossing the Sirsa River. The Singhs fought with fearless ferocity and astonished the Mughals. In the thick of the battle was Baba Zoravar Singh. When the battle was over, of the 100 Singhs who were in the Jatha, only two had lived. Bhai Bachhitar Singh and Baba Zoravar Singh remained and both were lying on the battlefield badly wounded.

Recuperating

Later on, a Jatha of Singhs under Baba Ajeet Singh jee passed through this area and seeing the wounded Bhai Bacchitar Singh and Baba Zoravar Singh, picked them up. Baba Zoravar Singh was taken to a village and left at the home of Bhai Gursaa Singh who bandaged Baba jee's wounds. In total, there were 22 cuts on little Baba Zoravar Singh's body, which would take a long time to heal. Bhai Bachhitar Singh jee was too badly wounded to recover and became a Shaheed on December 8th. When night fell on December 8th, Bhai Gursaa Singh first did the saskaar of Shaheed Bhai Bachhitar Singh jee and then secretly took Baba Zoravar Singh to village DaDhaeRee where a Sikh lady, Mata Poopaa(n) lived. Mata Poopaa(n) was a devotee of the Guru and used to sew clothes for Guru Gobind Singh jee and present them as offerings. Mata jee slowly cleaned each wound and re-bandaged them.

After some days, Baba Zoravar Singh Paalit soon became healthy. Baba Zoravar Singh wanted to meet his father Guru Gobind Singh jee again, but had no idea where he and the other Singhs could be. He had heard that Mata Sundar Kaur jee had gone to Delhi and decided that it was best to go there and stay with her. So he travelled to Delhi and began to live with Mata Sundar Kaur jee and Mata Sahib Kaur jee.

Meeting Dashmesh Jee Again

In the start of 1706, the Sikhs of Delhi found out that Guru Gobind Singh jee was staying at Talvandee Sabo. The Sangat of Delhi was yet deciding when to go meet Guru jee, but Baba Zoravar Singh could not wait to meet his father any more. He set out with Mata Gulabo, Bhai Soorat Singh (the son of Bhai Jeevan Singh) and Bhai Charan Singh (grand son of Shaheed Bhai Matee Daas jee). Baba Zoravar Singh stayed with Guru jee for some days and then left to visit Mata Poopaa(n) and also his birth family in Basee Pathana(n). He then lived at Khijraabad near Ropar for 1.5 years.

At the end of 1707, Guru Sahib was meeting Bahadur Shah in Agra, when Bahadur Shah decided to go south to quell the rebellion by his brother. Guru Sahib also decided to go south at this time. Baba Zoravar Singh too was feeling the long separation from his father again and decided to meet up with Guru jee and the Singhs. He arrived in Guru jee's camp unexpectedly at village Itmaadpur. Sree Guru Sobha, a document from 1711 describes the scene of Baba Zoravar Singh jee's arrival. All the Singhs gathered around Baba Zoravar Singh and happily gave him their Fatehs. Baba Zoravar Singh went before Guru Gobind Singh jee and bowed and Guru jee embraced him, kissing his son on the forehead. Baba Zoravar Singh now began to live with Guru jee again.

Shahidi

As Guru jee and the Singhs kept moving South through different villages, the Jatha arrived at the town of ChitauR. This town had a very big and magnificent fort, which was built by the Rajpoots but was now occupied by some Mughal soldiers. On April 2nd, 1708, Baba Zoravar Singh and 20 other Singhs decided to go see this fort. 125 Mughal soldiers manned the fort. The Mughal guard told the Singhs that they could not enter the fort as no non-Muslim was allowed this right. An argument and debate followed and the Mughals began to speak rudely about non-Muslims and began to insult the Sikhs. The argument became quite heated and then became an all out battle. The 20 Singhs fought bravely and Baba Zoravar Singh too, at the age of 11 years, 3 months and 10 days fought like a lion. They could not bear the insult of their faith. When the battle had concluded, 100 Mughal soldiers lay dead but every Singh had also become a martyr, including Baba Zoravar Singh jee.

The next day, Guru Gobind Singh jee himself did the saskaar of the 21 shaheeds on the banks of the river Ganbheer.The life of Baba Zoravar Singh jee Paalit is not known very well and very few people know that he was the adopted son of Guru Gobind Singh jee. The dedication little Baba Zoravar Singh jee showed to Sikhi in his 11 years of life is an inspiration to all.

Shocking Video of Disrespect to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji