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Kala Afghana's Books Burnt

By STAFF
Gurbakhsh Singh Kala Afghana retired in 1981 as inspector of police. In 1984, while he was visiting Canada, India cancelled his passport and confiscated his property. Now based in Canada, the Sikh author's books Biparan Kii Riit Ton Sach Daa Maarag and Bachittar Natak: Gurbani Di Kasvuti Te contend that the Dasam Granth was not entirely authored by Guru Gobind Singh. Renowned Sikh scholar Gurtej Singh, jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib Giani Kewal Singh, and many others have stoutly defended Kala Afghana's writings. Sikh scholar Giani Bhag Singh Ambalavi had to apologise in the late 1970s for having questioned the validity of the Dasam Granth. Gurbakhsh has questioned the commonly held belief that Guru Tegh Bahadur died for Hindus. He has written, 'the only complaint before the emperor was that Guru Tegh Bahadur was fanning insurgency against the government. Thus those claiming that the Guru sacrificed his life for Hinduism are sullying the principles of Sikhism.'

The Tribune, Amritsar, May 15, 2003



"Sikhs today burnt copies of books authored by Canada-based cop-turned-Sikh-scholar Gurbakhsh Singh Kala Afghana. The books have been banned by the Akal Takht. In a faxed message received here, Mr. Rattanjit Singh Sherry, secretary, Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, said copies of the books would be burnt in other parts of the country in the coming days."
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Related Links:
Kala Afghana's Detractors Are Either "Ignorant" or "Malevolent", By GURTEJ SINGH, Press Release, May 3, 2003
Sikh Clergy Restates Ban on Kala Afghana, By VARINDER WALIA, The Tribune, Apr. 5, 2003
Kala Afghana's Right to Freedom of Expression, By PUNEET SINGH LAMBA, The Sikh Times, Feb. 1, 2003