London-Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Singh Sahib Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj on Sunday attended the 27th Bala Pritam Gurmat Samagam, dedicated to the Parkash Gurpurab of Sri Guru Harikrishan Sahib Ji, at Gurdwara Guru Nanak Garib Niwaz, Hayes, London. The event was jointly organized by the Afghan Sikh Sangat, Nihkami Sewa Trust UK, Guru Hargobind Sahib Trust UK, and Gurdwara Guru Nanak Garib Niwaz. A large number of devotees participated in the religious congregation.
Addressing the gathering, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said that wherever Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji travelled, Sikh congregations were established. Although Guru Sahib physically moved on, he connected Sikhs with Gurbani, and today Sikhs continue to remain spiritually linked through Sri Guru Granth Sahib and gurdwaras. He said the tradition of weekly congregations and sangat in gurdwaras across foreign countries must continue so that the younger generation remains connected with Sikhism. He emphasized that it is essential to keep children firmly rooted in Gurmat.
He said the Sikh philosophy of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji is simple, open and inclusive, free from extremism and discrimination, and embraces all humanity.
Expressing a wish, the Jathedar said that the children’s Gurbani Kirtan jathas that perform during the Parkash Gurpurab celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji at Gurdwara Janam Asthan Sri Nankana Sahib should also be specially invited to similar religious events held abroad. He stressed that Gurbani Kirtan should be rendered in a serene, raag-based manner and should not become mere entertainment for the ears. He added that kirtani jathas should remain within the authentic Gurmat Sangeet tradition.
Jathedar Gargajj appreciated the efforts of Bhai Gajinder Singh of Nihkami Sewa Trust UK and urged the Sangat to extend full support to the organization.
Referring to a recent incident in the UK, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said that Guru Sahib bestowed shastars (arms) upon Sikhs as a divine blessing. He said Sikhs never misuse weapons and always remain within the discipline and code of conduct prescribed by the Guru. The Sikh’s weapon is meant for the protection of the oppressed and for self-defence, never for committing oppression. He further said that Sikhs should remain loyal to the countries in which they live and contribute positively to their progress while always abiding by the laws of the land. Sikhs, he said, have always stood against injustice and tyranny but never commit injustice themselves. He also urged the Sangat to remain engaged in social service and humanitarian work.
The Jathedar also said that every Sikh family should ensure that their children use the names “Singh” and “Kaur, ” describing them as the unique identity and shared family heritage bestowed by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He said Sikhs are one family who share each other’s joys and sorrows and should therefore always help one another. He encouraged parents to give children inspiring and uplifting names and expressed concern over the growing trend of replacing “Singh” and “Kaur” with caste-based surnames, calling it inappropriate.
He further said that Sikh couples should consider having three to four children, describing it as socially and nationally important for the community. Since the Guru taught Sikhs to earn an honest livelihood, he said families should not worry about raising or educating larger families but should instead place their faith in the Guru.
Jathedar Gargajj also expressed concern over reported cases in the UK of Sikh girls being lured away and urged parents to remain vigilant and keep their children closely connected to Sikh values and gurdwaras. He said the Sikh Rehat Maryada states that the marriage of a Sikh girl should take place with a Sikh boy. He encouraged parents to spend more time with their children, understand their concerns, maintain open communication, and create a Sikh environment at home that would safeguard them.
He also called upon the Sangat to embrace all communities and nations with love and avoid hatred or jealousy towards anyone. Inviting Sikhs living abroad, he urged them to visit Sri Nankana Sahib, Sri Darbar Sahib, the five Takhts, and Sri Fatehgarh Sahib for pilgrimage.
Concluding his address, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said that Sri Akal Takht Sahib is the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs before which no worldly ruler can stand. He urged the Sangat to remain firmly connected with Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Also present on the occasion were Bhai Gajinder Singh Khalsa; Additional Granthi of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Malkit Singh; Sikh scholar Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh Gulshan; Nanaksar Badundi Vale Baba Amar Singh, Varinder Singh, Harpreet Singh, Ashpal Singh, Harinder Singh, Gurinder Singh, Manjit Singh, Loch Singh, Amarjit Singh, Charan Singh; Sukhdeep Singh, Ajit Singh, Personal Assistant Baldev Singh; Media Advisor Jaskaran Singh; and several others.