Joga Singh Sangha, who is representing United Sikh Youth of Vancouver, answers some of the questions put to him as to why he chose to run for leadership of the oldest Sikh Society in North America.
Why are you running for President?
Our community is fragmented, our family values are falling and we are losing our younger generation. I want to bring a change to the Gurdwara structure and its programmes….we will entice our Youth back to the Gurdwara, we will consult with them as to the type of programmes they want via workshops. Our Children will have fun programmes on Sikhi where we will offer prizes to those who show an active interest. Being raised in Canada and seeing how other Gurdwara’s are exceeding in their outreach programmes, we want to replicate it at Ross Street. We want to bring KhalsaDiwan Society to its former glory. I can go on and on, but with Waheguru’s blessings and the Sangat’s support, we can succeed. The Sangat is one family and we are one United family.
You are running under the United Sikh Youth slate, but you couldn’t unite one slate, what confidence can you give to the Sangat / Members, that you can unite everyone?
Thats a great question. Fortunately, we live in an democratic world, we all have opinions. I joined late in the campaign and I can assure you that we tried in our earnest to get everyone together. There is allot of mis-information going around and I am not going into the path of mudslingings. We have signed papers and video footage of unity meetings, and we tried until the last day, for reasons known to certain individuals it was not meant to happen. If anyone wishes to see the these papers they are welcome to come to the campaign office and without any questions asked, they can take copies. We really tried. Moving on, if elected, I promise to work with members of the other slates in order to unify the Sangat and to reach the common goal, to save our children and youth and bring them into Sikhi.
What do you think the biggest challenges faced by the Sikh community?
Well, as you know, we get allot of negative media coverage. We will assist in creating a media response team similar to the Sikh Coalition in the USA if the media do not portray the facts, hence, tarnish the reputation of our beloved Community.
Our family structure is collapsing and has been for a considerable time. There are numerous reasons, one of which is domestic violence, alcohol and drug addiction issues which is rampant although our leaders deny it, we need to get women and children more involved and welcome at the Gurdwara, we need to educate our children as they have low self esteem. I am willing to make tough decisions and sometimes unpopular ones in order to make our Community stronger and more progressive.
What are your views on tables and chairs, are you keeping them?
Look, we need to look beyond the furniture issues. this a divisive issue that has little relevance in our community. The ones who have have lost loves ones to domestic violence or drug related activities, ask them if its important. We have already issued in our manifesto that we will keep the system they way it is, but we will also install mats for those who wish to sit on the floor. We intend to renovate the Gurdwara, which is in a state of disrepair, which includes a clean kitchen, eating area and so on.
Are you connected with Surrey and New West Gurdwara’s?
We have some volunteers that come from other areas, for which we are grateful. They have great youth programmes that we wish to replicate, we can learn from them. However, we are our own people, and we all implement our programmes.
There are rumours that you are going to install the DasamGranth, is that true?
I get annoyed at times when I hear this from people, it seems some will do anything to grab power by confusing the voters. We have never stated we will install another Granth nor will we. What concerns me is that there are elements in our community who are out to confuse and divide the community, this issue has never arisen before, why now? Our children don’t even know Japji Sahib, and here we are discussing deeper issues. Lets, move forward, and not divide the community.
Are you going to invite Baba’s and Sants to the Gurdwara if elected?
We have to be careful when we use those terms. Of course we are not going to tolerate or invite Baba’s who preach to the Sangat which is not Sikhi. If there are Sants, and not all are bad, who preaches from the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib, sure, they will be invited. Again, its a divisive issue raised by a few to confuse the voters.
Any final words for the voters?
I appeal to all, it is your Society, vote with your conscious not out of loyalty to any particular individual or slate. If you believe there are better candidates than me, then vote for them, but at least exercise your right to vote. As your sewadar, if given the opportunity to serve you, I will try my utmost to bring changes necessary to make a community proud again. You can come to my Campaign Office anytime until election time for a one on one meeting, that’s my commitment to you and if any member has any ideas, I am a good listener and we will implement them. We also have a rally on November 20th at 2pm at Fraserview Hall, hope to see you there. Please vote on November 26th. Lets Unite.
