highlights
- drive away hypocrites save punjab campaign Big religious and social controversy in Firozpur during
- Objectionable audio of Bibi Naveet Kaur Chhange Wali goes viral on social media
- Manpreet Singh Khalsa complained to SSP Firozpur, FIR registered
- Questions on traditions of camps, smoking and Mahant Gaddi
- Heated debate on dignity of Sikhism, respect for women and religious conduct
How did the ‘Pankhadi Bhagao Punjab Bachao’ campaign get embroiled in controversies?
It has been going on in Punjab for the last three months. drive away hypocrites save punjab campaign The aim was said to be to raise voice against hypocrites who mislead people by claiming to be religious leaders. Manpreet Singh Khalsa and several Sikh groups associated with Damdami Taksal started it as a reformist movement.
Under this campaign, questions were raised on alleged hypocrisy, wrong traditions and activities against Gurmat by visiting many camps. Initially it got the support of the Sangat, but this campaign suddenly turned into a serious controversy in Chhange village of Firozpur.
Bibi Naveet Kaur Chhange Wali’s audio and social media storm
drive away hypocrites save punjab campaign During this, an audio of Bibi Naveet Kaur, who is said to be the head of a dera in Firozpur, surfaced. In this audio she is allegedly heard saying to Manpreet Singh Khalsa –
“If you doubt our being a Mahant, I will become naked in public… then history will be written that the Singhs made a wife naked.”
There was tremendous outrage on social media regarding the language used in the audio. Many users called it against the dignity of Sikhism and respect for women, while some people called it a reaction to provocation.
Why did Panth get angry over the statement about “removing clothes”?
In a religious context, such statements from a public platform were considered extremely objectionable. Sikh organizations say that drive away hypocrites save punjab campaign Its purpose is reform, not insult to any woman.
The controversy escalated further when Bibi Naveet Kaur alleged that earlier other Mahants were also threatened in the same way and were asked to remove their clothes.
Question on traditions of smoking and Gaddi in camps
Manpreet Singh Khalsa drive away hypocrites save punjab campaign Under this, questions were raised about smoking in the camp. He said that according to Sikh dignity, such activities are unacceptable at religious places.
Whereas Bibi Naveet Kaur retorted and said that-
“There is a tradition of smoking Gurugaddi in our camps. I do not smoke, I only smoke.”
This statement deepened the debate. Religious scholars raised the question whether the basic principles of Gurmat can be compromised in the name of any tradition?
Objection to the condition of “sitting at the feet”
Bibi Naveet Kaur also said that she was asked to sit at his feet and apologize, which she did not accept. He claims that he has given a written apology, but bowing down publicly is against his honour.
On the contrary, drive away hypocrites save punjab campaign Organizations associated with it say that when the statement was given on a public platform, the apology should also have been made publicly.
FIR registered, administration’s entry
After the controversy escalated, Manpreet Singh Khalsa met the SSP of Ferozepur and lodged a complaint. Police registered an FIR against Bibi Navit Kaur.
According to Manpreet Singh, the administration took action on the demands of Sikh Student Federation, Satkar Committee and other groups. After this, the proposed protest at Goluke Mor was also cancelled.
Manpreet Singh Khalsa’s side
Manpreet Singh Khalsa released the video and said-
- drive away hypocrites save punjab campaign is peaceful
- The aim is not to target any camp
- Wrong terminology against Sikh sect will not be tolerated
- Bibi Naveet Kaur admitted her mistake in the meeting and gave an apology
He says that the real objective of this campaign is to free Punjab from hypocrisy.
Two factions in Sikh society, debate intensifies
This whole episode drive away hypocrites save punjab campaign By keeping it at the centre, the Sikh society has been divided into two parts.
One section is calling it a necessary corrective step, while the other section is calling it religious conflict and social media trial. A heated debate has erupted on women’s respect, religious decorum and limits of expression.
What next? Impact on politics and religion of Punjab
Experts believe that drive away hypocrites save punjab campaign The impact can be not only religious, but also social and political. The role of the camps, the faith of the Sangat and the direction of the reform movements – all these will now be discussed afresh.
Police investigation, social media trial and reaction of organizations will decide the direction of this controversy in the coming days.
drive away hypocrites save punjab campaign has once again raised the question of how to strike a balance between reform and decorum. Voice against hypocrisy is important, but language, method and sensitivity are equally important.
Comments are closed.