A World Sikh Parliament Proposal

The November Sarbat Khalsa was a deeply conflicting event for many Sikhs. We were pleased with efforts to take positive steps towards Panthic Sovereignty but we were dismayed by the flawed and improper execution of the event. And even though some aspects relating to the event were concerning, it was still an inspiring time for many of us. I remember spending my November nights thinking about Panthic issues and how the Panth can come together and tackle them. One of the resolutions adopted at the Sarbat Khalsa particularly caught my attention and that was the resolution relating to the World Sikh Parliament ("WSP") because it seemed like a perfect way to accomplish a true Sarbat Khalsa; a representative body of Sikhs from around the world that could guide Panthic affairs.

As someone who is interested in politics and government, I decided to take a stab at writing a "Constitution" for the WSP. It was a humble attempt to get my vision for the Panth down on paper. I wrote it in early December and sent it to certain Gursikhs I respect for their feedback and also so they could use it for ideas in case they were involved with drafting the actual Constitution for the WSP. It's now March and I haven't seen much progress being made and so I've decided to go ahead and publish it on my blog. It certainly contains many mistakes and was only meant to be a starting point for discussion.

As I was writing it, I was guided by the following principles:

1) The WSP should be in line with Sikh Principles as set out in Gurbani and Sikh History: The fundamental failure of the SGPC system was that it was not a system that was inspired by Sikhi. As the system was not inspired by Sikhi, it could also hardly be expected to inspire Sikhi in others. And inspiring Sikhi should be the main purpose of any Sikh institution.

2) No Elections: Elections are an enormously corrosive feature of our current state of affairs. They scare off genuine Sikhs, are ripe for corruption and ultimately result in politician-types pandering to the lowest common denominator. Mass elections should have no place in Panthic institutions.

3) Ensuring the Quality of WSP Members: In order to be a worthwhile system, the WSP's members must be genuine Sikhs who have a genuine and personal connection with Sikhi and Guru Sahib. In order to accomplish this, I have proposed a supervisory committee to supervise the selection of WSP members in a transparent manner to ensure that only the right people are chosen.

4) Intuitive and Easy to Understand: I wanted the system to be easy for people to understand and I hope I accomplished that in this model. For any new system to take off, it needs to be easy enough for all people to grasp.

5) Not Too Difficult to Implement: Tied to the previous point, I wanted to design a system that was easy to implement, knowing that there would be hundreds of challenges towards the implementation of any new system. So why not at least make it relatively simple to implement?

6) A Structure that is Conducive to Panthic Chardi Kala and Ekta (Unity): I wanted the WSP structure to be well-designed so that it would allow the Gursikhs who are part of it to tackle important issues. I also wanted to design a system that lends itself to consensus-based decision-making rather than majority-rule. Majority (50%+1) rule would likely result in rifts and a lack of Panthic unity.

7) Geographic Representation rather than Group Representation: Many people's idea of a Sarbat Khalsa includes representation for various Jathebandis or Sikh organizations. Personally, I think this model is misguided because it inherently encourages disunity and the creation of more and more groups. Instead of having a group-based model, I wanted to go with a geographic model.

8) Not Registered with any Government: The WSP should not be registered with any government, especially not the Government of India. Government control of our institutions is a root cause of many of our issues.

9) Incorruptible: Ideally, the WSP Constitution should have some safeguards to avoid corruption. This would be best done by ensuring maximum transparency.

10) In Touch with Local Sikh Populations: I want the WSP to be a system that is in touch with local Sikh populations from around the world. In order to accomplish this, I have proposed local WSP committees that can also make plans and tackle issues in local communities.

So without further ado... my proposal for the WSP "Constitution" is below:

WORLD SIKH PARLIAMENT CONSTITUTION

The World Sikh Parliament (the “WSP”) is the Supreme Political Institution of the Sikhs. The WSP has been constituted by the Guru Khalsa Panth (the “Panth”), in-line with Sikh traditions, in order to provide an independent and authentically Sikh form of leadership for the Panth. The WSP has several key roles including the political leadership of the Panth, spiritual and religious guidance to Sikhs and Sikhi Parchaar (propagation of Sikh teachings). The ultimate purpose of the WSP is to enhance the Chardi Kala of the Panth by spreading the message of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (the “Guru”).

Article 1: Supervisory Committee

Upon the WSP's inception, a five member Supervisory Committee shall be selected. Two alternate members shall also be chosen in case of ill-health, death or unavailability. The purpose of this Supervisory Committee shall be to oversee the integrity of the process that selects Representatives to the WSP. Members of the Supervisory Committee must be of unimpeachable integrity. Supervisory Committee members must be impartial, neutral and objective during the selection process.

1.1: Completion of Supervisory Committee Role

Supervisory Committee members shall have no role in the functioning of the WSP itself. Their role shall be deemed complete once the WSP Representatives are chosen.

1.2: Future Supervisory Committees

Upon the completion of the majority of the WSP’s term, WSP representatives shall approve a new Supervisory Committee from names nominated by the WSP Executive Committee, including the approval of two alternate members.

Article 2: WSP Zones

Sikh population centres around the world shall be split into separate zones for the purposes of selecting Representatives to the WSP. A list of zones is listed in Appendix A for the first term of the WSP. Boundaries for the zones in Appendix A are detailed in Appendix B. The total number of zones shall be kept at the minimum level needed to maintain proper representation of the global Sikh population.

2.1: New Boundaries for Zones

WSP representatives shall constitute a Special Committee of WSP Representatives in every second WSP term to study the distribution of Sikh population around the world and after careful study, a new list of zones and boundaries shall be recommended to the WSP for approval. Population differences may exist between the zones but they must be balanced as much as possible in order to make representation as equitable as possible.   

2.2: Increasing or Decreasing the Number of WSP Zones

The Special Committee shall have the authority to make recommendations for increasing or decreasing the number of WSP zones, after consultation with the WSP Executive Committee, WSP Representatives and the wider Sikh community.

Article 3: Criteria for Representatives

WSP Representatives must be role model Sikhs. At a minimum, they must demonstrate the following criteria:

1) A Sikh whose personal way of life is exemplary and who possesses unimpeachable integrity.

2) A Sikh who possesses extensive knowledge of Gurbani and Sikh History.

3) A Sikh who is knowledgeable about Panthic affairs including the challenges the Panth faces with regards to the freedom of Sikh institutions.

4) A Sikh who possesses a record of extensive Panthic service including efforts in Sikhi Parchaar.

5) A Sikh who has been blessed with Khanday Batay Da Amrit and who is immersed in Gurbani and Naam.

6) A Sikh who, at a minimum, never fails to abide by the requirements of the Sikh Rehit to do their daily Nitnem Banis, wear their Kakaars, abstain from the four Bujjer Kurahits (cardinal sins) and give Dasvandh (10% of their income for charitable purposes).

7) A Sikh who earns an honest and clean living free of income derived from dishonest practices or practices that go against Sikh teachings.

8) A Sikh who possesses a special or unique skillset or set of experiences which would make him or her uniquely well-positioned for a role in the WSP.

3.1: Supervisory Committee role in Including all Sikhs.

No Sikh should be excluded for reasons of gender, caste, race, or income. They must be nominated because they are they most deserving candidates. The Supervisory Committee must work to promote the inclusion of all Sikhs.

Article 4: Process for Selection of Representatives

4.1: Nomination Submission

Once the selection process begins, nominations shall be open for a period of one month. Nomination packages shall be made publicly available on the WSP website. To be nominated, one cannot stand forward oneself. One must be nominated by 5 fellow Amrit Dhari Sikhs from the same zone. Once the nomination package has been completed, it shall be submitted on the WSP website. Once the one month period is over, nominations shall be closed. Nomination packages shall include signed letters from the nominators, attesting to the qualifications of the nominee. The nomination package shall also include a standard checklist (the “Checklist”) published by the Supervisory Committee based off of the criteria for Representatives listed in Article 3. Soon after nominations are closed, a list of nominees, organized by WSP zone, shall be published on the WSP website.

4.2: Vetting by Supervisory Committee

For another two month period, the Supervisory Committee shall scrutinize the nominations for each zone. Due diligence shall be done including interviews of nominees and other Sikhs who are involved in their communities, in the respective zones. An evaluation of all nominees shall be done according to the Checklist. These evaluations shall be posted transparently on the WSP website. A list of remaining nominees for each zone shall be posted at the end of the two month vetting process.

4.3: Remaining Nominees

If only one nominee remains from a zone, they shall be ratified as the Representative for the zone. Where multiple nominees remain, they shall be informed of the situation and shall be given the option to choose a Representative from amongst themselves.

4.4: Selection Meeting if required

In situations that Representative selection is not resolved amongst the remaining nominees, a selection meeting shall be held at a central location in the zone, sanctioned by the Supervisory Committee. At this selection meeting, Punj Pyareh (Five Beloved Ones) shall be nominated from the sangat and they shall choose the most fitting candidate. At the end of this process, the Supervisory Committee shall ratify Representatives for each zone.

Article 5: Term of the WSP

The Term of the WSP is for 5 years. The WSP has no authority beyond five years and the Supervisory Committee must supervise the selection of the new WSP prior to the completion of the WSP’s term.

Article 6: Registration of Gurdwaras and Collection of Dues

Every Gurdwara in the world shall be required to register with the WSP. The WSP shall maintain a database of every Gurdwara in the world and shall work to ensure that each Gurdwara maintains basic standards as set out in the Sikh Rehit Maryada.

6.1: Payment of Dues

Each Gurdwara shall contribute 2% of its revenues to the WSP to cover the cost of the WSP’s operating expenses. Requests to waive or reduce dues can be considered by the WSP Executive Committee. The WSP Website shall include information on the status of each Gurdwara with regards to the payment of dues.

Article 7: Executive Committee of the WSP

In its first meeting, the WSP shall select Punj Pyareh (Five Beloved Ones) from amongst themselves. These Punj Pyareh shall form the Executive Committee of the WSP. They shall be the spokespersons for the WSP and shall have the authority to bring resolutions forward to the WSP for consideration.

7.1: Replacement of Executive Committee Members

A member of the WSP Executive Committee can be removed from office during his or her term if 50% of WSP Representatives sign a petition seeking his or her removal. Replacement Executive Committee Members shall be selected by WSP Representatives at the next sitting of the WSP.

7.2: Role as Takht Jathedars

Each Executive member of the WSP shall also take a position as one of the five Jathedars of the Five Takhts: Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Sri Patna Sahib, Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Sri Damdama Sahib and Sri Hazoor Sahib. A Jathedar for a Takht does not necessarily have to be a representative chosen from the zone in which the Takht resides. The Executive Committee shall decide amongst themselves regarding the placement of each member in each respective Takht, keeping in mind that the Akal Takht is the Supreme Sikh Takht. The Jathedar of the Akal Takht shall be considered as the Jathedar of the Panth.

Article 8: Meetings of the WSP

The WSP shall have a minimum of two sittings every year, at Vaisakhi and at Bandi Chorr Divas. Every meeting in each sitting shall be held in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The Executive Committee has the power to call additional sittings of the WSP.

8.1: Quorum

A minimum of two-thirds of all WSP representatives must be in attendance for any WSP meeting to be valid.

8.2: Location of Meetings

The default location for WSP meetings shall be Sri Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar. The WSP Executive has the authority to organize meetings in alternative locations as well.

8.3: Attendance by Outside of Country Representatives

All efforts shall be made by all members to attend all meetings although Outside of Country Representatives shall be provided alternative methods of attending WSP meetings such as videoconferencing.

Article 9: Power to Pass Gurmattas

The WSP shall have the authority to pass Gurmattas for the Chardi Kala of the Panth. In order to pass a Gurmatta, it must receive 80% support from the present representatives of the WSP although all efforts shall be made to obtain 100% consensus support for all Gurmattas.

9.1: Amendments to the WSP Constitution

Any proposed amendments to the WSP constitution shall be passed according to the same method as other Gurmattas.

Article 10: Special Committees

In addition to the Executive Committee, the WSP shall constitute several Special Committees amongst its representatives. WSP Representatives shall sit on a maximum of two committees.

10.1: Finance Committee

The Finance Committee shall oversee the collection of dues from worldwide Gurdwaras and shall also be responsible for crafting yearly budgets of WSP operating expenses, after consultation with other WSP Committees and WSP representatives.

10.2: Dharam Parchaar Committee

The Dharam Parchaar Committee shall oversee Sikhi Parchaar in Punjab, the rest of India and throughout the world. Strategies for Parchaar including resource allocation decisions shall be made by this Committee.

The Dharam Parchaar Committee shall ensure that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji translations are completed and made available in all of the most widely spoken languages in the world.

10.2.1: Dharam Parchaar Committee Offices

The Dharam Parchaar Committee shall set up offices in each continent for the purposes of spreading the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Parchaar materials shall be printed in the appropriate local languages and native-speaking parchaariks shall be trained for the purpose of conducting Sikhi Parchaar in the maximum number of countries.

10.3: Sikh Rehit Maryada Committee

The Sikh Rehit Maryada Committee shall oversee the interpretation of the Sikh Rehit Maryada. Any amendments to the Sikh Rehit Maryada recommended by this Committee shall be ratified by at least 80% of WSP representatives in order to be valid and in effect.

10.4: Discipline Committee

The Discipline Committee shall oversee complaints received by the WSP with regards to inappropriate actions by representatives of the Panth that cause disunity or actions that spread misinformation about Sikhi. The Discipline Committee shall work to resolve all complaints in a manner that shall preserve the maximum level of unity in the Panth.

10.5: Gurdwaras Committee

The Gurdwara Committee shall set guidelines for Gurdwaras from around the world in an effort to spread best practices that have been adopted in the Panth.

10.6: Special Project Committees

Special Project Committees can also be constituted by the WSP Executive of WSP representatives for special projects that require attention from time to time.

Article 11: Local Committees

Each WSP Representative shall also chair a Local Committee of five Amrit Dhari Sikhs in his or her home zone. Each Local Committee’s mandate is to ensure that Chardi Kala, Sikhi Parchaar and Unity are at a maximum in the local sangat.

11.1: Selection of Local Committees

Four additional Sikhs from the WSP zone shall join the WSP representative in forming the Local Committee. The four additional members of the Local Committee shall be nominated by the WSP representative for the zone and shall be ratified by Sangat at a Sangat gathering in the zone. This Sangat gathering shall be conducted in an inclusive and deliberative manner. New names can be brought forward at this gathering if nominated individuals are deemed unacceptable by the Sangat.

11.2: Makeup of Local Committees

Each Local Committee must include at least one women and at least one youth (an individual under the age of 35).

Article 12: Interpretation of this document

The meaning of this document shall be interpreted by the WSP Executive Committee except for articles pertaining to the selection of WSP Representatives which shall be interpreted by the Supervisory Committee.