SGPC must take lead to open Cells to make world aware about Sikhs’ identity

Amritsar, August 1, 2012
DS Rataul, Dy. DirectorKhalsa College Governing Council,

Khalsa College Governing Council (KCGC) Honourary Secretary and Chairman of Punjab State Small Industries and Export Corporation (PSSIEC) Chairman, Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina today appealed Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee to set up special Cells to make the world aware about Sikhs’ Identity. He stated this in wake of the Oak Creek Gurdwara attack in Wisconsin (US) and previous incidents in Western world post 9/11, where Sikhs have fallen prey to the `mistaken identity’.

``The Sikhs are often mistaken as Muslims and Arabs due to the turban and supporting of beards. Though investigations are on in Wisconsin tragedy, but it appears to be an incident of hate crime’’, said Chhina adding that SGPC should take lead in setting up Missions or Cells abroad and initiate a worldwide awareness campaign. He said SGPC should consult other representative bodies of Sikhs and take intelligentsias’ help to make people aware about Sikh’s philosophy of universal brotherhood and peace.

``We welcome US government’s official gestures to the tragedy and its decision to keep the national flags at half-mast. But we should take help of the media, US administration to initiate campaign through audio-visual mediums to make people in US and other countries aware about Sikhism and how they are a religion separate from Islam. ``Sikhism in no way tolerate killing of innocents, rather it is an arm to support downtrodden and those who are helpless’’, he said.

Further in the statement, Chhina said SGPC must take help from the bodies including the KCGC which can provide literature, books and even the man-force to enhance its campaign to propagate the message of peace to spread this awareness. ``Special counseling sessions can be held involving people from foreign communities to strengthen peaceful co-existence’’, said he adding that the SGPC’s decision to establish a Mission in US is already delayed which is worrisome.

He said not only in US but even in Canada, South America and Europe, the Siks had been facing problems regarding their identity including the dress, especially turban and religious symbols. ``There is dire need to tell the world about the right knowledge of Sikhs and their glorious past’’, said Chhina.