Against Election Campaigning on Gurdwara Premises

Sikh Religious Society Chicago

C/o Sadhu Singh Rikiraj Ji, President

1280 Winnetka Street

Palatine, IL 60067

Re: Petition Against Election Campaigning on Gurdwara Premises

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh,

The caring members of the Chicago Sikh Youth Community would like to submit for your consideration a petition to end the current practices of the elections campaigning process taking place at the Sikh Religious Society, also known as Gurdwara Sahib or Guru Ghar, in Palatine, Illinois.

Recently, several community members have entered the race for the upcoming 2008 SRS elections. It is invigorating to see community members so passionate and committed to making a positive difference through their selfless dedication to the Gurdwara and to its Sangat. With these inspirational and enthusiastic people running to become the future caretakers of our Gurdwara, it will continue to be the place for our younger generations to learn to embrace the basic Sikh principles of sharing, equality, community, and the love of Waheguru.

We are blessed to have a Guru Ghar in our city. It serves as a place that offers spiritual guidance, education of our history, and support for the growth of its members. The Gurdwara is the cornerstone for so many people in our community, where the shabad of Guru Jis Bani is breathtaking, awe-inspiring, thoughtful, and steeped with instruction on how to live truthfully and honorably. The Gurdwara is a place where Guru Jis children come for peace and shelter. It is the place where Guru Ji must be respected as the highest authority, and where Gurbani is to be listened to in the highest respect.

Page 919, Line 3
Jis no kathā su āihi āp ī se gur uārai suk pāvhė.
Those whom You cause to listen to Your sermon, find peace in the Gurdwara, the Guru's Gate.
- Guru Amar Das

The Sangat comes to Gurdwara to come and listen to Gurus Word to find peace.

Over the past few weeks tables have been set-up for election campaigning inside of the Gurdwara. These stations have included campaign letters, voter registration cards, and other general information. Unfortunately, these tables have also served as a place to slander members of our Sangat. This negativity has perverted our Gurdwara into a meeting ground for both parties to engage in negative propaganda.

A direct result of this propaganda has included:

* Exchange of inappropriate language in both the Main Hall and Langar Hall
* Heated arguments between party members
* Putting Sangat members in uncomfortable and compromising situations
* Debates involving peoples credibility and questioning peoples integrity
* Immature and unwelcome behavior

This negative campaigning is discouraging to all Sangat members. Most importantly it is disrespectful to our holy place of worship.

Unfortunately, the current campaigning and placement of these tables continue to serve as a catalyst for negative behavior. Please do not allow this negative energy to be produced at the same place we all gather for truth, love, enlightenment, and for peace of mind.

For the respect of Sangat members, and more importantly, for the respect of our Gurudwara, we humbly ask that any kind of campaigning be conducted outside the Gurdwara complex.

Please take action to stop election campaigns within the Gurdwara complex immediately.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely,


The Chicago Youth Sangat