The writings of people like Dr. Hew Mcleod, Dr. Pashaura Singh, Dr.Gurinder S. Mann, Dr. Harjot S. Oberoi, etc., have been found by the Sikh Canonical Realm, the Sikh Scholars, and the Sikh Community as a whole very offensive and blasphemous. There has been considerable rejoindery through the books and newspaper columns. But the Sikh Scholars realised their efforts were not heeded to. On the contrary the institutions, who have originally nurtured such element, have recently enhanced their activities to reassert their violative intentions. The Sikh Community took strong note of the two Conferences held recently; one in Michigan and the other in Toronto, and conceived that it had no alternative but to act much more vigorously.

To start with, to promote Authentic Understanding, the Community planned to hold a number of Conferences this year at various places in the North America; Toronto in April, Vancouver Detroit, New Jersey, and Washington in May, and California in June.

The very first conference in this series was held in the York University, Toronto on April 30, 1994. It was a great success and hopefully very effective.

One day scheduled for the Conference was quite insufficient to fully capitalise on the efforts of illustrious speakers. In spite of the limitations of the time the Readers of the Papers did most commendable job. And for this, the credit goes to the Moderators as well, particularly Mr. Ripsodak Singh Grewal and Mr. Kuldip Singh Chatwal.

Dr. Jarnail Singh, who had been active among the initiators of the Sikh Chair at the University of Toronto, lamented that more the Sikh Community made sacrifices more it suffered. In this case, he added, the Victim was accused more than the Culprit, and when the Victim started to defend he was told off for talking nonsense. To combat the subversive forces, he stressed, there was dire need `to put our own house in order.'

The contents of the Paper by Dr.Gurmail S. Sidhu (Cal. State, Fresco) were quite academic. He delved on the comparative prospective of textual analysis in Christianity, Islam and Sikhism. Numinous experience (pertaining to divinity), he stressed, was the core and base of the Sikh religion. The Sikhism was not a history grounded religion; it was the timeless revelation preached by the Gurus, and the record preserved by themselves. Unlike Christianity, and like Islam, there was no possibility of analysis of scriptures.

In spite of Earnest Trumpp's derogatory attitude Dr. Jaswant Singh (Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar) gave him credit for initiating interest in Sikh Studies among the Western Scholars . Dr. Singh provided information on the life of Earnest Trumpp and the devious methodology adopted by him for the translation of the Aad Granth. In his opinion it was Earnest Trumpp who developed empathy for Hinduism and antipathy for Sikhism. He also implored the works of Dr Shakel on the Language of Sikh Scriptures, and Hew McLeod 's remarks on Guru Nanak and Kabir.

The Papers presented by Dr. Balwant Singh Dhillon (Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar), the Keynote Speaker and Dr. S. S. Sodhi (Dalhoussie University, Halifax) were most dynamic. In his first Paper Dr. Balwant Singh dealt with the Thesis of Dr. Pashaura Singh. Allegedly Pashaura Singh based most of his analogies on the assumption that MS#1245 preceded the Kartarpuri Bir (which has already been accepted as the original revelation by eminent scholars such as Bhai Jodh Singh). Dr. Dhillon scrutinised the contents of MS#1245 page by page, with the help of slides, and questioned its authorship, too. He, overwhelmingly, proved that this was a much later concoction. Even the `discovery' of MS#1245 was a matter of considerable doubt. Mr. Chatwal suggested that it was clandestinely found by Hew McLeod, who, in turn, instigated Pashaura Singh to draft his dissertation based on the same. In this context it is worth noting that the MS#1245 bought by Guru Nank Dev University, Amritsar has been preserved very diligently in the Library there. There is no record at the University, Dr Dhillon specified, of Pashaura Singh taking extensive notes or photographs. (How and where did he consult the volume? How did he manage to take so many photographs to substantiate his claim? Did he indulge in some illegal manipulations? Or could it be that all the ground work for Pashaura Singh was done before the volume was mysteriously sold to the University?)

How was Pashaura Singh Awarded Doctorate on the basis of such a disputed document? In the presence of irrefutable evidence, would the University of Toronto investigate and revoke the Doctorate awarded to Pashaura Singh?

And could such acts be challenged in the Court of Law? Illegality of the work done by Pashaura Singh, Hew McLeod, Mark Jeuergensmeyer, etc., is the primary issue facing the Sikh faith, asserted Dr. S.S. Sodhi. The minorities have always been the target of Eurocentric researchers. In this context he cited the case of Blacks. Whatever ill treatment Blacks were meted out in the past by the majority, i.e., whites, they were supposed to accept it. But the concerted harsh measures, legal and otherwise, adopted by downtrodden Black Community forced those powers of contempt to abandon their prejudicial behaviour. Now in most spheres no one can dare to pass undue remarks against Blacks; whole Black history is taking new shape. Moreover, Dr. Sodhi wanted the Sikh lobby to be as strong and effective as the one enforced by the Jewish Community.

The Eurocentrics, Dr. Sodhi continued, have no right to intervene in any body's faith, and destroy its cultural values. The preservation of the institutional ethics and beliefs are the prerogative of a group or an individual. Their infringement is punishable under the law. Dr. Sodhi strongly advocated the initiation of legal proceedings against the conspiratory forces of blasphemy. He enumerated a number of legal atrocities against which those Eurocentric Researchers could be brought to justice, and checked not to indulge in any fallibility in future. Dr. Sodhi was speaking from the core of his heart, and sometimes his emotional outbursts took uncontrollable turn, for which he did extend his apologies at the end. He welcomed the formation of centralised Ontario Gurdwara Committee and expressed his high hopes for swift and positive action.

Dr. Balwant Singh Dhillon once again took the stage. Referring to Spellman's recent article, he expounded on the essentiality of the Turban. His quotations from the famous British Parliamentarians, Sydney Bidwell and Sir Winston Churchill himself on the respectability of turban, were appreciative.

Dr Surjit Singh (State University of Buffalo) presented `Ethos, Pathos and Sikh Studies'. For him, the issue was not of academic freedom but academic integrity, and to maintain integrity, he suggested, the final authority for the approval of the research work on Sikhism should be vested in Shri Akal Takht.

Dr. Jasbir Singh Mann (Centre of Sikh Studies, Santa Ana) releasing the book, "Planned Attach on Aad Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Academics or Blasphemy, Edited by Bachittar Singh Giani," threw considerable light, with the help of slides, on the credibility of the Contributors, and the Contents of the book. He emphasised that it was the Sikh Thought that produced the History and not other way round. (In the Preface of the Book, wide circulation of the same is suggested. With a price tag of $15 could it get mass circulation?).

Mr. Gary Singh (Member Governing Council, University of Toronto) deplored that so far `we' have been charging and counter charging without any positive effect; the Community did contribute money for the establishment of the Chair but no advice. He stressed that he was speaking on his individual capacity. But when pressed hard he assured, as a member of the Community, he would impress for the actions to be taken to protect the interest of the Community.

Mr. Kuldip Singh, from Michigan, explained that after the Operation Blue Star they had contributed generously towards the establishment of the Sikh Chair at the University of Michigan. They did so to enhance the dignity of the Sikhs. Contrary to the expectations of the contributors, University appointed Dr. Pashaura Singh whose work had already been adjudged derogatory to the Sikh Faith. How and why did this happen? Dr. O'Connel himself had given Pashaura Singh a clean bill of character and authenticity. Referring to the stress laid by the neo-Academics to relegate the revelatory concept of the Sikh Scriptures and the promotion of the Draft Theory, Mr. Kuldip Singh suspected that deliberate attempts were made to advance the defamatory indulges, and he also smelt continuous monitoring of the Sikh Conferences by Government of India.

Dr. Joseph O'Connel (University of Toronto) felt that the presence of Pashaura Singh and Gurinder Singh Mann (the opposing factions) in this Conference could have been much more appropriate. (I fail to understand, how could he expect such an endeavour now. In the Conference held in the University of Toronto in February 1994 under the auspices of Dr. O'Connel himself, no speaker opposed to the theories of Pashaura Singh and McLeod was entertained. I understand Dr. S. S. Sodhi had submitted his Paper well in advance and offered his participation but he was unceremoniously mooted out).

Dr. O'Connel tried to protect the work done by both the above mentioned dignitaries by assigning different meaning to the Concept of Revelation, and the term `Process' implied by Pashaura Singh concerning the contents of the Guru Granth Sahib. He tried to assure that there was no conspiracy against any body, and requested for the continuation of ideological dialogue. He emphasised that there should be `a will to accept each other'.

I do admire Dr. O'Comnnel's courage. The hostile questionery did not deter him. Rather he was blunt in taking exception to certain remarks made during the reading of the Papers and Question Period.

Almost all of the Speakers had felt the need of ethical check on the research carried out in the field of religious affairs. They advocated the establishment of the ethic committees. But Dr. Joseoh O'Connel declined to accept the suggestion with the excuse that, considering the research carried out on numerous other religions, it would not be physically feasible; each one would ask for a separate such body (Why can't all the minorities seek protection of their interests?). After the session of `Question & Answers' and the `Open Debate', which were quite lively, four resolutions were passed. Main emphasis was laid on the formation of an Ethics Committee to monitor the work of the Researchers, and the Governmental agencies were requested to intervene and force the Universities to honour the sentimental and ethical values of the minority faiths.

At the end I must appreciate the endeavour of the newly formed Ontario Gurdwara Committee, and the efforts of the organisers, Ripsodak Singh Grewal and Sewak Singh Sandhu. They deserve full credit for an absolute success.

The physical arrangements such as, orchestration of the activities in the Hall, the reception of the guests and their registration, the aspects of refreshments and lunch, etc., were superbly handled by the Students under the capable and charming leadership of Raman Deep (the presenter of Dhur Ki Bani T.V. Programme) and Tajman Grewal.

Pritpal S. BIndra

Mississauag, Ontario