Ultimately, when you ask both factions warring for control of North America’s oldest Sikh temple, the Ross Street Gurdwara, they say that what they are doing is for the betterment of the local Sikh community.
Both sides want to empower Sikh youth.
They all want to follow the teachings of their Gurus.
They want to help the less fortunate and learn from their elders.
They want to unify and engage the Sikh community.
But instead of practicing what they preach, both sides have developed a schism in Sikhism that is threatening to deepen the divide in an already fractious community.
Last week, a B.C. Supreme Court judge had to step in to cancel the Ross Street Gurdwara elections due in November, following allegations of voter irregularity.
Unlike other group/family controlled Sikh shrines, the Ross Street Gurdwara is one of three temples in the Vancouver area where elections are held regularly.
Sikh Youth Vancouver, which petitioned the court, dismisses allegations that they intend to bring the so-called fundamentalist approach to the temple.
They claim the current management controlled by the moderate Khalsa Diwan Society is outdated and not in touch with forward thinking Sikhs.
Ironically, both sides which have fought hard to remove labels like moderates and fundamentalists are now hurling those same monikers at each other.
Jarnail Singh Bhandal, former president of the gurdwara said: “Sikh Youth Vancouver is nothing but a front for former Khalistani hardliners who want to control another shrine to further their agenda.’’
He alleges that the so called youth slate is a fundamentalist organization trying to take control of the Ross Street temple and its money.
Jatinder Singh, of Sikh Youth Vancouver counters that his group will not change any religious practices at the temple.
He says the current group’s move to label Sikh Youth Vancouver as fundamentalist is old school politics.
Singh maintains that Sikh Youth Vancouver was forced to go to court to seek fair and transparent registration of new members and the implementation of a process to ensure the integrity of the temple elections.
In a statement, Sikh Youth Vancouver (“SYV”) stresses that it is dedicated to engaging Sikh Youth in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland in spirituality, worship, and community service, as rooted in Sikhism’s teachings.
As a neutral person is appointed to prepare new voter lists and hold elections at the historic Ross Street Gurdwara, both sides will be well advised to reduce the rhetoric lest it erupts into another ugly spectacle.
If the leaders of both factions are true to their words of wanting to make a stronger and unified community, this public bickering has to stop.
Instead of contradiction, try compromise.
A Sikh serves God by serving (seva) other people every day. By doing this they get rid of their own ego and pride.
So here is a suggestion.
Both sides fighting for control of the Ross Street Gurdwara should start serving each other by working together.
That after all is the essence of Sikhism, not who controls what.