A Platform for the SGPC Elections

Sometime soon, something very important will be happening in the Panth when the SGPC elections are finally called.

It's more than clear that people are fed up with the status quo as it relates to the running of our Panthic affairs via the SGPC. However, defeat for the incumbents (those affiliated with the Badal-run Akali Dal) is still far from certain. The Badal party members who are currently in control have a dependable vote bank in the form of various "Sants" who are members of the Sant Samaj.

In order for a Panthic opposition to emerge victorious, it will require the presence of a number of factors:

1) There will need to be a unified opposition.
2) That opposition will need to be well-financed
3) The opposition will need to representative of the diversity of the Panth (age, gender, Jathebandi, etc.)
4) Most of all, that opposition must have a unifying message that resonates with all different types of Sikhs. This will require putting forward a message that is clear, concrete and visionary.

With victory in the SGPC elections, many important and much-needed changes for the Panth can be finally moved forward. For example, the SGPC currently controls the selection of the Jathedar of Akal Takht (along with the Jathedars of Keshgarh Sahib and Damdama Sahib). Having an Akal Takht Jathedar who was a true servant/leader of the Panth is a dream and constant ardaas for millions of Sikhs.

Ultimately, everything is possible with Guru Sahib's Kirpa and in order to receive Guru Sahib's Kirpa, it is necessary to put forward a message and a platform that is in line with Gurmat. That which is wrong with the current system and way of doing things must be identified and there must be a clear promise to root it out. In my opinion, having a watered-down or detail-lacking platform will not result in Guru Sahib's Kirpa and victory will be unlikely in those circumstances.

Here are a number of items which, in my opinion, a Panthic slate should promise to implement if they are victorious in the SGPC elections.

1) The SGPC shall put an end to systemic discrimination on the basis of gender at Harmandir Sahib and all other historical Gurdwaras. eg. Kirtan Seva among other sevas.
2) Selection of Jathedars shall be based on merit and individuals shall not be selected who lack the qualifications necessary to carry out the Sevaa. Well-known Panthic personalities who have a good jeevan and who are engaged in parchaar shall be selected. (I would even go further and name potential individuals that meet these criteria such as Bhai Pinderpal Singh).
3) There will be an intense and comprehensive independent audit of the SGPC, not just financial but also in terms of the efficiency of its operations. Redundancies shall be eliminated and excess funds will be directed towards Dharam Parchaar.
4) The Dharam Parchaar committee of the SGPC shall train and hire at least 100 full-time parchaariks who speak various languages to do parchaar of Sikhi throughout the world inside and outside of Gurdwaras. Bhai Jagraj Singh from Basics of Sikhi should be drafted in to guide this parchaar strategy. Modern tools of parchaar shall also be financed such as campsites.
5) For the selection of Panthic Jathedaars, the SGPC shall ultimately cede its jurisdiction in this area to another body that represents not only Punjabi Sikhs but also Sikhs from outside Punjab and around the world (a true Sarbat Khalsa).