The Tat Khalsa Singh Sabias scholars such as Bhai
Vir Singh, Kahn Singh Nabha, etc., like their masters before them,
the imperialist British Raj, believed in all sincerity that is was
righteous to be economical with the truth when required, manipulate
it, or dismiss it entirely.
Sikh Soldiers
Sikh soldiers employed by the British raj accompanying Prince Waldemer
of Prussia, circa 1846
Another classical example of such contortions of historical
truths is exemplified by Bhai Randhir Singh, the
protégé of Teja Singh Bhasauria,
who founded the ‘Bhai Randhir Singh da Jatha’
(later known as the Akhand Kirtani Jatha, A.K.J.).
Bhai Randhir Singh’s views with regards to ‘Chatka’,
and many other issues were based on the premonition that their interpretation
is the truest above all others. The promotion of such fraud and
deception is a trademark of Tat Khalsa Singh Sabhia-authorised scholars
and historians.
Bhai Randhir Singh Narangwal
Bhai Randhir Singh, the protégé of Teja Singh Bhasauria,
and his wife
A more recent series of events involves the Sikh historical
text ‘Gurblias Patshahi Shemi’. The
latest version of this text, is the 1998 reprint edited by the present
S.G.P.C.-elected Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Giani Joginder
Singh Vedanti. A Canadian-based Sikh named Gurbakhsh
Singh Kala Afghana published a series of 10 books named
‘Bipran Ki Reet Sach Da Marg’ in which
he accused Vedanti of tampering with the historical work. He also
made may other blasphamous statements which lead Kala Afghana being
declared a ‘Tankhaiya’ (apostate) by
the S.G.P.C. Interestingly, this text was immediately declared as
being ‘banned’ by Vedanti and was withdrawn from all
bookshelves in Punjab. According to news reports, Kala Afghana wrote
a letter to Vedanti calling him a ‘liar’
and a ‘maha pappi’ (great sinner),
which lead Vedanti to state that this act was unpardonable.
The Jathedar and Apostate
Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti (left), the present S.G.P.C-elected
Jathedar of the Akal Takht and Gurbakhsh Singh Kala Afghana (right)
Even today, as Giani Kirpal Singh found out, there
are many Sikhs who prescribe to the thinking of expunging and rewriting
ancient Sikh texts. Some even believe in writing their own version
of events from scratch. One such Sikh, is the A.K.J.-approved author,
J.P. Sangat Singh who writes:
‘There is no doubt in this, that we at
present have no ancient history, but, due to the foresight of
Siri Guru Arjan Dev Patshah, we do have the pure scripture (Siri
Guru Granth Sahib) available in original form, under the guidance
of who’s light, if we today tried, we can write our ancient
history.’ ‘Sikh Dharm Teh Mas Sharab’, by J.P. Sangat
Singh, 1977, P190
