Amritdharis Banned from Gurdwara in Rochester
Throughout the weekend, numerous reports have been circulating throughout the Punjabi language press of a ban being enforced by the management committee of a Gurdwara in Rochester, NY. We have received a large number of emails with regards to the matter (Pagh Salute: Balmeet Singh). Various press reports suggest a local power dispute was largely the cause, where one group suggested that the Gurdwara was their ‘private property.’ Subsequently they have rejected that the Sangat is supreme and have thus attempted to gain a court-order ban on attendance by Amritdhari Singhs and Singhnis. Details are still rather sketchy, hopefully locals can give us some perspective.
Numerous commentaries can be viewed on youtube. The topic has been the discussion on various Punjabi language radio shows. A vigorous conversation within the community is occurring. One video has pictures that suggested there was a protest last week.
Looking for historical parallels, many groups are calling this group of so-called ‘owners’ – ‘mahants’ recalling the vocabulary during the Gurdwara Morcha movement in the early part of the 20th century. What do our Langar-readers suggest as the correct course of action? Granted, the Gurdwara in question (that of Rochester, NY) is not a historical Gurdwara. Should Singhs and Kaurs in the community attempt to press the committee to rescind its decision or would it be better to open another Gurdwara in the area, one where the Sangat truly is supreme? Are there other options?
180 Responses to “Amritdharis Banned from Gurdwara in Rochester”
wouldnt celebrate too early the court case is soon to begin and then the sangat will be celebrating and doing kirtan once again you will be invited to get some actual knowledge
wouldnt celebrate too early the court case is soon to begin and then the sangat will be celebrating and doing kirtan once again you will be invited to get some actual knowledge
these damn hindus in disguise need to be thrown out of every gurdwara
these damn hindus in disguise need to be thrown out of every gurdwara
from what i know the gurus told everyone to keep their hair, not drink and be democratic…so now you guys are challenging the gurus too….
from what i know the gurus told everyone to keep their hair, not drink and be democratic…so now you guys are challenging the gurus too….
damn, these Rochester committee guys have to be rss.
damn, these Rochester committee guys have to be rss.
I am postive they are RSS
I am postive they are RSS
singh1 – Sorry to disappoint you, but I do not work for Xerox.
Nice guess…but as always with you: WRONG.
However, the quote I used ("not much under your turban") is from one of the founding Trustees. He was referring to one particular Popcorn Sikh…Which now I have the feeling was you.
I must agree to Mr. Xerox's assessment of you: Not much under the turban at all….
However from my understanding you fat belly makes up for what you don't have under your turban. You reach around your over weight belly to pull out your Kirpan if your life depended on it. Good thing there are no Mughals around…
singh1 – Sorry to disappoint you, but I do not work for Xerox.
Nice guess…but as always with you: WRONG.
However, the quote I used ("not much under your turban") is from one of the founding Trustees. He was referring to one particular Popcorn Sikh…Which now I have the feeling was you.
I must agree to Mr. Xerox's assessment of you: Not much under the turban at all….
However from my understanding you fat belly makes up for what you don't have under your turban. You reach around your over weight belly to pull out your Kirpan if your life depended on it. Good thing there are no Mughals around…
sunny deol – If all you know about the guru is: "…told everyone to keep their hair, not drink and be democratic…" then you are Sikh…You are a Fool.
Read the Gurbani and fill the huge empty space under your turban with knowledge and replace the hot air.
sunny deol – If all you know about the guru is: "…told everyone to keep their hair, not drink and be democratic…" then you are Sikh…You are a Fool.
Read the Gurbani and fill the huge empty space under your turban with knowledge and replace the hot air.
those are just some fundamentals and reading gurbani and translating gurbani is what we have been trying to do at the gurdwara but you guys dont like that so its a big surprise you are supporting it now. your trustee dad doesnt even know what miri piri is…do us all a favor and try to understand what is in the guru granth sabih(or what you guys call a mere book)
those are just some fundamentals and reading gurbani and translating gurbani is what we have been trying to do at the gurdwara but you guys dont like that so its a big surprise you are supporting it now. your trustee dad doesnt even know what miri piri is…do us all a favor and try to understand what is in the guru granth sabih(or what you guys call a mere book)
singh1 – In one post you are talking about hair and meat…the next you are talking about Miri Piri.
You are a strange, confused, and deranged person. It almost fills my heart with joy that you are standing in the rain and not contaminating the GOR with your twisted interpretations of the Gurbani.
However Guru Ji demands that we show pity even on the chronically stupid like you.
Remember: It's going to be cold and rainy on Sunday…Dress appropriately. You can buy Rain Ponchos at Walmart at surprisingly low prices.
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh.
singh1 – In one post you are talking about hair and meat…the next you are talking about Miri Piri.
You are a strange, confused, and deranged person. It almost fills my heart with joy that you are standing in the rain and not contaminating the GOR with your twisted interpretations of the Gurbani.
However Guru Ji demands that we show pity even on the chronically stupid like you.
Remember: It's going to be cold and rainy on Sunday…Dress appropriately. You can buy Rain Ponchos at Walmart at surprisingly low prices.
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh.
yea i agree with Charles, we should stand and fight these wannabe sikhs, even if we have to stand in the rain. These rss/committee guys don't know what their getting into. We fought mughals in the past and now its these masands.
yea i agree with Charles, we should stand and fight these wannabe sikhs, even if we have to stand in the rain. These rss/committee guys don't know what their getting into. We fought mughals in the past and now its these masands.
you have no idea what you guys have gotten yourself into and to think that you ll get away with it shows your intelligence
you have no idea what you guys have gotten yourself into and to think that you ll get away with it shows your intelligence
Charles Knuckles I wouldn’t be talking about other people saying there not good Sikhs because your not a Sikh your self
Charles Knuckles I wouldn’t be talking about other people saying there not good Sikhs because your not a Sikh your self
48aslahk – Apparently you have a hard time understanding written words:
You have no idea who I am….You have no idea what I am.
Sorry to disappoint you, but I am a Sikh. The difference between you and I is that I don't judge Sikhs by the tone of their skin, the length of their beards, the color of their turban, or by the size of their Kirpan.
A Sikh is not defined by his looks, they are defined by their actions in accordance to the virtues taught in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Of course you probably know nothing of that. You judge someone based solely on looks and on heritage vs. the depth of character.
Luckily for you, the Guru does forgive such behavior.
48aslahk – Apparently you have a hard time understanding written words:
You have no idea who I am….You have no idea what I am.
Sorry to disappoint you, but I am a Sikh. The difference between you and I is that I don't judge Sikhs by the tone of their skin, the length of their beards, the color of their turban, or by the size of their Kirpan.
A Sikh is not defined by his looks, they are defined by their actions in accordance to the virtues taught in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Of course you probably know nothing of that. You judge someone based solely on looks and on heritage vs. the depth of character.
Luckily for you, the Guru does forgive such behavior.
Hey charlie I thought you dont live in rochester. Remeber your own words on Sikhphilosophy post?? What are you doing here still?
Hey charlie I thought you dont live in rochester. Remeber your own words on Sikhphilosophy post?? What are you doing here still?