sikhpride

When, during the last century, the Sikhs were passing through their most turbulent period, Prof. Darshan Singh appeared on the forefront and guided the community in the capacity of Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib. He was able to lift their morale through his lectures, discourses and Gurbani recitation programmes. He was born in November, 1940 and after acquiring qualification and proficiency in Gurbani singing and Katha Vichar, he started giving his programmes in various parts of the country. His knowledge regarding Gurbani and his dynamic voice made him so popular that people started visiting his programmes from far off places. That is why he was appointed Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib, which position he held from 1987-1990. When he left the post because of some differences with the people in the management of affairs, he continued to enthrall the Sangat with his personal performances in the congregations and through his CDs etc. When he expressed his views on Sri Dasam Granth, the same were not liked by a large number of people, as a result of which, he was ex-communicated on 05.12.2009. He tried to put forward his view point, but in vain. Despite controversies in later years, he did not give up his mission of disseminating knowledge of Sikh principles through gurbani recitations and Katha vichars. He shifted to Brampton, Canada, where his son’s family was residing. There also, he started Guru Granth Sahib Academy with the main object of explaining Gurbani to those who wanted to understand and relish it. Despite his old age, he is continuing to render this yeoman service in many countries including U.S.A. and India. Even today, a large number of people attend his congregations. Sometimes, some people tried to disturb his programmes and have even physically attacked him, but these actions should not be approved in the light of the teachings of the masters. Love, patience, tolerance and unity are some of the noblest principles of the Sikhism. We may have difference of opinion, but even with that, we should love and associate with all the Sikhs as desired in our religion. Gurbani teaches us that if any problem is to be sorted out, then we should sit together and ponder over it.
ਹੋਇ ਇਕਤ੍ਰ ਮਿਲਹੁ ਮੇਰੇ ਭਾਈ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਦੂਰਿ ਕਰਹੁ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥ Come and join together, O my Siblings of Destiny; dispel your sense of duality and let yourselves be lovingly absorbed in the Lord.
In conclusion, it can be said that with whatever views, Prof. Sahib is appreciated and criticized, the fact remains that with his unique style of singing Gurbani, his vast knowledge of Shabads and his understanding and ability to explain the Gurmat concepts, his enormous contribution in promoting and propagating Sikh religion makes him a role model for a very large number of his admirers among the Sikhs and other communities.