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Censorship on Waheguroo!'s Discussion Forums

By STAFF

The Sikh Times, Jul. 21, 2004

According to an administrative post on Waheguroo!'s discussion forums (mirrored at SikhSangat.com) dated April 23, 2004, discussion on several topics 'will not be allowed' in accordance with 'a Hukamnama [edict] passed by Sri Akal Takht [Amritsar, Punjab, India].'

Judging from the list of subjects banned from discussion - 'Meat, Dasam Granth, Raag Mala and Keski as Kakar' - it appears that the group is under the influence of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha (A.K.J.).

A.K.J., an organization launched by the late Randhir Singh, has its own rahit maryada (code of conduct), which is more rigid than the official one approved by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (S.G.P.C.).

Per A.K.J.'s code, eating meat is prohibited, the Dasam Granth (a secondary Sikh scripture of disputed authorship) is sacred, the Raag Mala is considered an inauthentic part of the Adi Granth (the primary Sikh scripture), and keski (head covering), as opposed to the traditional kes (unshorn hair), is considered part of the 5Ks required to be worn by all Khalsa (baptized) Sikhs.

The post also states, 'Any direct attack or mockery on our Sikh gurus or Sikh warriors or on any mahan [great] Sikh Personality (ex: Sant Jarnail Singh Bhinderanwale [sic]) will be automatically deleted by Moderators and Administrators, and a warning will also be issued.'

Waheguroo! claims '1570 registered members.'