Kharak Singh

Readers might recall that the Institute of Sikh Studies (IOSS) at the end of its Annual Seminar on Nov 16, 2003, passed a resolution which inter alia reads as follows :

"This gathering of Sikhs has noted with great concern that the Panth is passing through a crisis marked by disunity, challenges to Sikh identity and established institutions like the Akal Takht Sahib and SGPC, spate of apostasy, existence of schisms old and new, and unnecessary controversies created to divide and weaken the Panth."

"In order to deal with these problems, to carry the divine message of the Gurus worldwide and to lead the Panth to its destined glory in the service of mankind, it is imperative to invoke the Guru's doctrine of Guru Granth - Guru Panth, which gives this responsibility to take decisions in the light of teachings of the Gurus with complete faith in sabad as Guru."

"This gathering feels that in the situation that prevails today, it is necessary to have a central body of the Sikhs with global representation whose deliberations will guide and assist the entire Sikh community."

The resolution also called upon the SGPC 'to take the required initiative for creating an apex body, which includes representatives of all major panthic organisations and Sikhs from across the world, with itself as nucleus under the patronage of Akal Takht Sahib." Sardar Gurcharan Singh Tohra, the then SGPC President, addressed this seminar, blessed the idea and assured that the SGPC would welcome the move, provided it does not hurt the existing Panthic institutions (Abstracts of Sikh Studies: July-Sept 2004 / 536 NS).

In order to initiate action on the resolution, the IOSS convened a meeting on the 21st February, 2004 at Chandigarh, which was attended by representatives of a large number of Sikh organisations including the following, besides the IOSS and a number of Sikh intellectuals :

- Kendri Singh Sabha, Chandigarh,
- Sikh Education Society, Chandigarh
- Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, Ludhiana
- The Sikh Missionary College, Ludhiana
- Sikh Core Group, Chandigarh,
- Guru Nanak Trust, Washington, DC,
- Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managing Committee, New Delhi
- Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar
- Academy of Sikh Religion and Culture, Patiala,
- Gurdwaras Coordination Committee, Mohali
- Gurdwaras Coordination Committee, Chandigarh
- Vanjara Trust, Chandigarh
- Gurmat Parsar Sewa Society, Chandigarh
- Sikh Nari Manch, Chandigarh

This meeting unanimously endorsed the resolution and set up the following action committee :

- Giani Harinder Singh, President Kendri Singh Sabha.
- Brig (Retd) Gurdip Singh, Convenor, Sikh Core Group, Chandigarh
- Dr Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Guru Nanak Trust, Washington, DC
- Principal Ram Singh, Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, Ludhiana
- S Amrinder Singh, Member, SGPC
- Col Rajender Singh, President, Gurdwara Sector 34, Chandigarh
- S Angrez Singh, President, Pind Bachao Committee, Chandigarh
- General Kartar Singh Gill, IOSS
- Dr Gurcharan Singh Kalkat, IOSS
- Dr Kharak Singh, IOSS

It was felt that a constitution of the proposed apex body should be drafted and for this purpose the following Committee was appointed:

- Gen Kartar Singh
- Dr G S Kalkat
- Dr Kharak Singh

This Committee held a number of sittings and with valuable assistance from S Gurdev Singh, President, IOSS, Gen Jaswant Singh, Brig. (Retd) Gurdip Singh, prepared a draft which was discussed in a meeting of the representatives of the organisations listed above on the 13th June, 2004. In addition, Principals of some Sikh educational institutions like Dr Inderjit Singh from Phagwara and senior retired army officers, Gen S S Randhawa and Gen M S Kandal also attended. The draft as adopted in this meeting, is reproduced below, in order to elicit opinion, comments, or suggestions for improvement :

The name of the Sikh Apex Body proposed in the draft is International Sikh Confederation (ISC). The aims and objectives proposed are fairly comprehensive. Care has been taken in the Constitution that no existing panthic organisation is supplanted or its authority diluted. The SGPC, the Akali Dals and other organisations will continue to function as heretofore. The ISC will reflect the collective thinking of the Panth, and all existing or future organisations of the Panth are expected to move together in the direction pointed out by the ISC and work for achievement of the common goals in a coordinated manner.

It is hoped that all Sikhs the world over, individually as well as through gurdwara management committees or other organisations, will lend fullest support to this proposal, so that the ISC starts functioning at the earliest. The Sikh diaspora is expected to play a very active role in this effort, since it is the only way, their concerns can be voiced.

The IOSS will continue to coordinate the effort. This task is priority no. 1 on its agenda. After the successful conclusion of the campaign of Nanakshahi Calendar, the Institute is concentrating on this item. Let us ensure that a solid beginning is made during the current year when we observe centennaries of three major events in Sikh history, and that in the next couple of years, the ISC becomes an established fact. This is the only way to give practical shape to the doctrine of Guru Granth ñ Guru Panth, the Guru gave us in his limitless benevolence.

Name

1. The Apex Body shall be known as the International Sikh Confederation (ISC).

Registered Office

2. It's Registered Office shall be located at Chandigarh. This may well be shifted to Amritsar in due course. Subsequently, there may be various regional offices as the Organisation expands.

Aim

3. To provide guidance and direction in the Sikh communityís march towards its ordained mission to spread the effulgent message of the Gurus and to ensure a rightful place for the community, nationally as well as internationally.

Objectives

4. The ISC will reflect the status of Guru Panth, and in due course, will decide its own functions. However, it must inter alia, encompass the following :-

a) To share the ideology of the Guru Granth Sahib with all humanity for evolving a harmonious social order.
b) To articulate short- and long-term goals of the Panth. c) To advance the cause of the Sikh community in national and international forums.
d) To articulate and express the views on behalf of the Sikh community in the above forums, and thus to represent the Panth in all domestic and international spheres.
e) To co-ordinate activities of various Sikh organisations.
f) To help resolve and work towards settlement of all philosophical and other issues affecting the Panth as a whole.
g) To deal with problems of existing or potential schisms in the Panth.
h) To rebut academic and other attacks on Sikh religion, culture, tradition and history.
i) To promote education and economic development of the Sikh community.
j) To promote research and publication of literature on Sikh religion, tradition, culture and history.
k) To take vigorous and sustained measures to promote Punjabi language.
l) To initiate and help promote national and international effort, for humanitarian causes in pursuance of the basic Sikh tenet of Sarbat da Bhala (well being for all).

Accomplishments of Aim and Objectives

5. To fulfill the above Aims and Objectives, the ISC may :

a) Establish and manage institutions of higher learning and research in various disciplines including Sikh religion, social studies, medicine, engineering, information technology and other disciplines, as required.
b) Establish trusts, endowments, chairs in universities and institutions of learning.
c) Set up and manage Press with a view to publishing books, pamphlets, periodicals, newspapers / magazines / journals in Indian /International languages.
d) Appeal for, solicit, accept, receive and / or collect, acquire, or dispose of movable and immovable property / assets.
e) Accept money, special subscriptions, donations, grants, endowment funds, gifts, bequests and / or services from any legitimate source.
f) Make rules, bye-laws, and lay down procedures and conventions to facilitate smooth functioning of the Organisation, and
g) Take any other steps considered necessary for achieving the objectives of the Federation.

Eligibility and Membership

6. The following shall be eligible to be enrolled as members of the Federation :

a) Sikh Gurdwaras notified under any lawful statute.
b) Other Sikh Gurdwaras registered and managed by Sikh sangat.
c) Sikh institutions / trusts / societies / associations or other bodies (registered / incorporated / notified) engaged in the protection and promotion of Sikh interests.
d) Eminent Sikh individuals with known contribution to the cause of Sikhism.

7. The membership shall be by invitation / application. The decision of the Executive Committee in the matter of approval or nonapproval in this respect shall be final.

8. The gurdwaras / institutions / trusts / societies / associations and other bodies on becoming members, shall be represented in the ISC by a duly authorised representative of the concerned entity.

Qualification for Membership

9. To become a member of the ISC in any category, or to represent a member organisation, the person concerned should be a Sikh who:

a) has full faith in the Ten Gurus, Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Sikh rahit maryada, and does not believe in any other religion;
b) is not less than 21 years of age;
c) has filled the prescribed application form, and paid the prescribed subscription;

9a. Members of the Executive Committee shall compulsorily be Amritdhari Sikhs, with education equivalent to a degree from a recognised university.

Disqualification from Membership

10. No person shall be entitled to become or continue as a member of the ISC if he or she :

a) has been convicted of any offence involving moral turpitude;
b) becomes an apostate, i.e., patit;
c) has been declared by a competent authority to be insane or insolvent;
d) is considered by the Executive Committee not a fit person to become, or continue to be a member of the ISC for any reason whatsoever;
e) fails to pay the membership fee in time, as prescribed;

Membership

11. Will be of the following categories :

a) Permanent membership
b) Associate membership (less voting rights)
c) Life membership

11a. Members shall pay annual membership fee at the following rates :

Category                                                                       Indian           Others
                                                                             Per Annum     Per Annum
- Sikh Gurdwaras                                                  Rs 15,000/-     $1000
(annual income over Rs 200,000/-)
Registered /incorporated/ notified Sikh
institutions / trusts / societies / associations, etc.
- Sikh Gurdwaras (Income over Rs 100,000/-)      Rs 7500/-       $500
- Sikh Gurdwaras (Income over Rs 50,000/-)        Rs 3750/-       $250
- Sikh Gurdwaras (Income less then Rs 50,000/-)  Rs 2000/-       $150

Individuals
- Permanent membership                                         Rs. 1000/-       $100
- Associate membership                                          Rs. 500/-         $50
- Life membership                                                   Rs. 500,000/-  $50,000

12 Membership fee may be reviewed from time to time by the Executive Committee.

Register of Members

13. A Register of all members containing names, permanent address, telephone / fax nos. and e-mail address will be maintained and updated regularly. Names of Governing Council and Executive Committee members along with office staff will be maintained separately.

Governing Council

14. The Governing Council of the ISC shall consist of 200 members to be drawn from various categories as shown in the appendix, and shall meet at least once in two years. However an extraordinary meeting of the Governing Council may be called earlier if approved by the Executive Committee.

15. Election to the Governing Council will be held every four years by secret ballot. These will be conducted by the Executive Committee who shall appoint an Election Commissioner three months before the due date. Comprehensive orders for the preparation and conduct of elections will be issued by the Executive Committee.

16. Takht Jathedar Sahiban will be Permanent Invitees to the Governing Council. In deference to their exalted status in the Panth, they will not be involved in the voting process. Each one of them may preside over the meetings by rotation.

General Body

17 All primary members of the ISC will be members of the General Body. Meeting of the General Body will be held at least once every 4 (four) years. The Governing Council may request the Jathedar Sahib Akal Takht to chair the General Body meeting.

Management of the ISC

18 The affairs of the ISC shall be managed by the Executive Committee duly aided by five Advisory Councils comprised of professionals from various disciplines as indicated in the Appendix.

19 Each Advisory Council will consist of five working members and will be headed by a nominee of the Executive Committee. The council may co-opt additional experts for advice where required.

Executive Committee

20 Will consist of 25 members. Constitution of this committee will initially be as follows :
a) Institutional Representatives                                    12
b) Eminent Individuals                                                 08
c) Heads of Advisory Councils                                    05
    Total                                                                         25
(all of the members of a, b and c should be amritdhari Sikhs)
A Presidium of five members (panj pyaras) elected from (a) and (b) will chair meetings which will be presided over by one member of the Presidium by rotation at each successive meeting.

Election to the Executive Committee

21 Election to the Executive Committee will be as follows :

a) By secret ballot in the Governing Council meeting held every 2 years
b) For continuity, only 7 members (4 from Institutions and 3 individuals) will be newly elected every 2 years.
c) Heads of Advisory Councils will be nominated by the Presidium in consultation with the Executive Committee. Suitable Bye-laws in this regard will be framed by the Presidium in consultation with the Advisory Council concerned.

Functions of the Executive Committee

22 The Executive Committee shall exercise all powers and perform all such functions, as the ISC is authorised to exercise. Bye-laws in this regard will be formulated by the Executive Committee and got approved by the Governing Council at its first meeting. Any further revision/addition to bye-laws will need the express approval of the Executive Committee by two thirds majority of the members present and voting, in a meeting called with a notice of three months and with agenda duly notified. Two readings will be required in two successive meetings before an amendment is adopted.

Office Bearers

23 The Executive Committee will be solely responsible for running the day-to-day affairs of the ISC. As already stated, a Presidium of five members will perform these functions collectively.

24 The Executive Committee shall organise a Secretariat. They shall frame bye-laws in this regard and appoint a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to assist them. This organisation is expected to be evolved over time with the required office staff to assist them and to implement decisions of the Presidium / Executive Committee.

Tenure of Members of the Executive Committee

25 As already stated in para 20(b), the tenure of twenty Executive Committee members (less Heads of five advisory councils) will be six years. However, two seven member groups (four Institutional and three Individuals) of the first Governing Council will perforce have two-year and four-year tenure, respectively. Decision in this regard will be by lot or as otherwise decided by the Executive Committee.

26 Advisory Council Heads will have a fixed tenure of three years. Anyone nominated in place of a member between elections will have truncated tenure, i.e., remaining period.

Presidium

27 The Presidium will consist of five (5) members duly elected from within the Execuitve Committee (para 20a & 20b). Their tenure will be four years after which three members will be replaced by election from within the newly elected EC. Two membership will continue for another two years and be replaced by electing two new members. This process of replacing members every two years will be continuous.

28 A Secretariat headed by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will function under the direct control of the Presidium. It is desirable that the CEO be a highly experienced and an outstanding administrator, who is well versed in Sikh religion and its affairs. He should preferably be based permanently at ISC Headquarters to devote full time to his duties. His tenure may be for three years with a maximum of one extension.

29 The CEO will function directly under the Presidium that may delegate special powers to him from time to time.

30 Decisions made by the Presidium (panj piaras) will be considered as final. There will be no appeal beyond their decision.

Advisory Councils

31 These will be five in number initially; one each for religious affairs; education and social affairs; economic affairs; press, publication and IT; and lastly, international and legal affairs. Members of the Councils will be selected experts who need not be members of the ISC. Their Heads will be nominated by the Presidium and they will function directly under the Presidium. All major decisions of the ISC will ordinarily be based on the advice of the Advisory Council(s) concerned.

32 Bye-laws for these Councils will be framed by the Executive Committee.

33 Heads of Councils may employ professionals as and when required for specific projects in consultation with the Presidium.

Quorum

34 The quorum for the Governing Council will be 25% of the total membership, and for the Executive Committee meetings, it will be 13 members of the Committee.

Notice for Meetings

35 For Governing Council meetings not less than three months notice shall be given from the time of despatch of the last letter.

36 For Executive Committee meetings not less than 15 days notice shall be given from the time of despatch of the last letter. Emergency meeting may, however, by called at short notice by the Presidium.

37 All such notices will be issued by the CEO under direction of the Presidium.

Official Language

38 Punjabi in Gurmukhi Script and English in Roman Script shall be the official languages of the ISC.

Disputes and Differences

39 Any controversial issues shall be referred to the Executive Committee which may obtain the advice of the concerned Advisory Council and resolve the issue(s). If required they may refer sensitive issues to the Presidium for a decision which will be treated as final.

Amendments To The Constitution

40 Any amendment to the Constitution which is proposed under signatures of at least five members of ISC may be circulated to members of the Executive Committee at least three months before a decision is taken by 2/3rd majority in the Committee. It shall again be discussed and passed as a second reading in the subsequent meeting.