Calls Sikh families in Norway to preserve Sikh identity, follow Panth-approved Sikh Rehat Maryada and strengthen ties with Punjab

Oslo, Norway, October 26: Kanwar Partap Singh , Tajeemnoor Kaur 

The Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj attended a special Gurmat Samagam (religious congregation) dedicated to the birth anniversary of Baba Buddha Ji at Gurduara Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Oslo. Organised by the gurdwara management committee with the support of the Sikh sangat, the event featured his discourse on Baba Buddha Ji’s life, Sikh principles, the Panth-approved Sikh Rehat Maryada and the significance of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj asked Sikhs to remain united, strengthen their commitment to Sikh values and prioritise the religious upbringing of children, particularly among families living abroad.
Recalling Baba Buddha Ji’s contribution to Sikh history, he said he had served six Sikh Gurus, from Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, with complete devotion. He said Baba Buddha Ji adorned the Sixth Guru with the two swords symbolising Miri-Piri and imparted martial training to him, embodying the Sikh ideal of combining spirituality with the readiness to defend righteousness.
He said children should be connected with the Gurus from an early age, encouraged to retain their kes (unshorn hair), and brought to gurdwaras to participate in sewa.
Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said some Sikh families in Norway had reported difficulties in ensuring that their children retained their kes because of harassment by children from other communities in schools. He urged gurdwara management committees, Sikh leaders and the sangat to work together and engage with Norway’s education authorities and school administrations to resolve the issue through dialogue and awareness.
Children from other communities, he said, should be sensitised with love and understanding, while schools and government authorities should be made aware of Sikh religious identity. Sikh children should be able to preserve their faith and innocence without fear of discrimination.
Emphasising the importance of the Panth-approved Sikh Rehat Maryada (code of conduct), Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said Sikh elders had developed the code after years of deliberation and effort to unite the community. He said gurdwaras worldwide should follow the accepted Maryada, which permits kirtan of Gurbani and the compositions of Bhai Gurdas Ji and Bhai Nand Lal Ji. He also noted that the Gurbani includes the Bani (holy verses) of the Tenth Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh.
He asserted that Sri Akal Takht Sahib, established by the sixth Sikh Guru, would continue to provide spiritual and institutional guidance to Sikhs. Attempts to disregard its authority or alter the Sikh Rehat Maryada according to individual preferences would undermine unity within the Khalsa Panth, he said, urging Sikhs to remain committed to Sri Akal Takht Sahib and vigilant against forces seeking to challenge its authority.
Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said Sikh parents should encourage their children to marry within the Sikh community, stressing that Anand Karaj represents not merely the union of two individuals but also a meeting of values and outlook.
Expressing concern over the grooming of Sikh girls in some countries, he acknowledged the efforts of Sikh youth organisations to address the issue but called for more concrete measures. He urged parents to draw inspiration from Sri Guru Amar Das Ji, who recognised Bhai Jetha Ji, later Sri Guru Ram Das Ji, for his virtues, dedication and spirit of selfless service.
He also called on Sikh families abroad to maintain the tradition of attending gurdwaras with their children every Sunday and to devote sufficient time to their upbringing rather than remaining preoccupied solely with earning money.
Emphasising faith in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, he urged Sikhs not to seek spiritual guidance from any deras or living personalities, adding that Gurbani offers guidance for overcoming grief, anxiety and life's difficulties.
He appealed to Sikh families in Norway to take their children to Punjab every year or two so that they could pay obeisance and take holy dip at Sachkhand Sri Darbar Sahib in Amritsar and remain connected with their roots. Referring to the forthcoming 450th foundation anniversary of Amritsar, he invited the Norwegian Sikh sangat to visit the holy city on the occasion.
He also urged Sikhs living abroad not to sell their ancestral land in Punjab, while adding that they should acquire additional land according to their means.

Appeals for constructive social media use and community welfare

Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj urged Sikhs to use social media to promote constructive and positive messages rather than engage in mutual criticism and defamation driven by personal ego. He said the Khalsa Panth was one family and that differences should be resolved through dialogue, mutual respect and understanding.
He cautioned the community against forces seeking to create divisions among Sikhs and said the need of the hour was to develop programmes and policies for children, youth and women while fostering mutual love and respect.
He also appealed to Sikhs living abroad to help needy Sikh families in their native villages in Punjab, emphasising that assistance should be delivered directly to the families in need.
On the occasion, the Jathedar appealed to the sangat to contribute generously towards the construction of the new building of Gurduara Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Oslo, describing it as an important religious undertaking.
On this occasion, the management committee of Gurdwara honoured the Jathedar with Siropao (robe of honour).