TORONTO, Canada—During a meeting held at Gurdwara Singh Sabha Malton on April 30, it was resolved unanimously that no one will be allowed to alter the amrit sanchar maryada. The meeting was attended by representatives of various Canadian Gurdwara committees, including the Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council and the British Columbia Sikh Gurdwara Council.

The meeting was held in response to growing concerns about changing of amrit sanchar maryada by Ragi Darshan Singh and his supporters. Few days ago, a poster had surfaced online, advertising an Amrit Sanchar taking place on May 11 without Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s banis. During vaisakhi, an amrit sanchar was held in Virginia, USA, by supporters of Ragi Darshan Singh, in which the amrit was prepared by reading only two of the five amrit sanchar banis. This act has been highly appreciated by Ragi Darshan Singh.

At the meeting in Malton, it was resolved that Canadian Sikhs will not allow amrit sanchaars by Ragi Darshan Singh at any cost.

In a correspondence addressed to Jennifer Evans, Chief of Police, Peel Regional Police, Kultar Singh (Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council vice-chair), Amarjit Singh Mann (Ontario Gurdwaras Committee spokesperson) and Moninder Singh (British Columbia Sikh Gurdwara Council spokesperson) stated –

“Amrit Sanchar is an integral process within the Sikh faith that leads an individual into the institution of the Khalsa. Since 1699, this institution has been utilized to connect a Sikh to the way of life that is constant pursuit for the betterment of mankind.”

“Taking into consideration the importation of the institution itself and the level of authority bestowed upon the Rehat Maryada (Code of Conduct) by the highest seat of authority of Sikhs, Sri Akal Takht Sahib, no individual Sikh or other is qualified or has the authorities to change aspects of this essential institution which has been undertaken for over 300 years. It would be considered a challenge to the Sikh way of life if this was to happen and no Sikh would allow this to occur.”

“Recently it has come to the attention of the Ontario Sikh Sangat (Congregation) that an individual by the name of Darshan Singh (under the organization Guru Granth Sahib Web Academy) who is a resident of the Greater Toronto Area has put out advertisements to conduct the process of Amrit Sanchar in his own way and will clearly be violating the tenets of the Sikh faith and in doing so will be severely hurting the sentiments of the Sikh Nation.”

“Before taking any steps on our own, we would like this matter to be resolved with your assistance so as to avoid any possibility of confrontation.”

Sikh leaders expressed great urgency in this matter and have requested a meeting before May 4, 2016 to resolve the issue.