Freedom of media is good to express your views independently. But there is a certain limit to what should be expressed publically (in electronic or print media) or what shouldn’t be in a way that neither the beauty of free speech is destroyed nor it hurts someone.

Outlook India magazine has certainly crossed this fine line in their article (Shorn of Identity in 16th Feb, 2009 edition) on recent Sehajdhari issue in Sikh Community. The article is trying to impose itself rather than putting its opinion to the sikhs. First of all the article is favoring apostate which are clearly not sikhs.

Later on I was shocked to read certain lines of the article which no true sikh would standby:

I personally do not care whether Neelam ManSingh has said so (as quoted in outlook article) or who ever is saying so (as personal knowledge is limited) but how can a responsible journalist and organization can publish manipulative facts about Guru Nanak Sahib without knowing about their physical form.

This cannot be absorbed lightly in anyway. Though I do not need to give a proof but I’m sharing a small incident from Guru Nanak Dev ji’s life which will itself tell (that Guru Nanak was a keshdhari):

When Bhai Mardana wanted to join Guru Nanak, then Guru Ji said i have 3 conditions if you want to be with me:

1.) Kesh Nahi Kataane (Neve Cut any bodily hari)

2.) Pichal Raat Jagna (Wake up at Ambrosial hours of the morning: Amrit Vela)

3.) Never Slander a saint.

When Guru Nanak is asking even his follower not to cut hair then can he himself do the opposite of it? Though I’m feel low that we have to give proof on the Jagat Guru (Guru Nanak Dev ji), but we have to clarify it. Similarly other 9 Gurus maintained kehsdhari format and 10 guru just converted us to saint soldier form.

Regarding Amrit: Prior to 10th Guru also whosoever wanted to be a Sikh was given Charnamrit from Guru Sahib’s feet. So Amrit Sanchar Ceremony is no special ceremony but itself a prerequisite for a person to be called a Sikh.

As Shabad (Guru Granth Sahib ji) was to be made our Guru, and no humanly form was to continue. So Guru Gobind Singh Ji just introduced a new form tp perform Amrit Ceremony which at present day taken through 5 Pyaraas.

In a nutshell Amtidhari or Khalsa is the basic order from which real Sikh way of life starts. If patits or even non Amritdhari’s do not want to follow it, then its their bad luck who are over ruling Guru’s order will always fall in the pit of duality. If students do not follow the rules and the teachings, its their problem not the mistake of teacher.

So what has been said by Outlook (in 16the Feb,2009 print as well as electronic edition on website) is by no means acceptable and its needs to be clarified by them immediately to stop other media from provocative and unresearched statements from being published in media.

Tags: apostate, guru nanak sahib, guru sahib, india magazine, personal knowledge, responsible journalist, sikhs