Giani Thakur Singh Controversy - The Facts

Vahi Guru Ji Ka Khalsa Vahi Guru Ji Ki Fateh

If you have been a victim or would like to share your personal experience of Giani Thakur Singh, or any other trusted Sikh Sevadaar who has abused their position with sangat in anyway shape or form, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us on: ExposingMasands@gmail.com 

A punjabi version of this blog is now available here:
http://exposingmasands.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/blog-post.html

This blog has been created to try and determine the exact facts regarding the now well known incident involving Giani Thakur Singh which occurred in the UK in 2012.  The reason for this is that there is a lot of confusion and misguided speculation amongst the sangat.  And various media outlets are reporting the facts in a somewhat biased and incomplete fashion.

We have therefore made an effort to independently investigate and establish the facts.

Who are we?

We are Sikh members of the UK Khalsa Sangat.  We work in professional careers for a living and have family and children.  We are from various denominations across the Panth (Taksal, AKJ, Nihang, Nanaksar etc). We are absolute believers in all of our Guru Sahiban’s bani and respect GurSikh of any background who are worthy of respect (have high actions). 

Our Long Term Objective

Following on from this investigation, a long-term aim has arisen.  Primarily to highlight individuals who hold prominent positions of seva within the Khalsa Panth and take advantage of their position.

This blog is not designed to attack any Sikh Jathabandi or Organisation.  So we request you all to please consider each individual case on its own merits.

Since we have been investigating this case, many other people have approached us with complaints about other prominent Sikhs and provided us with evidence of how they have become victims to them.  In the near future we intend to investigate and question these ‘Sevadaar’ with the aim of stopping them being a danger to Sangat.  We will act fairly and try and help these people.  But in the event that they are not willing to co-operate, we will expose them, irrelevant of them hiding behind established reputations and respected Sikh organisations.

Our pledge to all our sisters, mothers and daughters is not to trust prominent Sikhs (Scholars, Parcharaks, Babai, Kirtani etc) by inviting them into your house and divulging personal problems i.e. marital issues.  An alarming number of these individuals are taking advantage of vulnerable and are not even qualified to give professional help in the first place.  If  bibiyan require sangat of Sikh men, then our advice (and Khalsa tradition) is to have sangat with at least one male member of your family present.  Never spend one moment alone with any respected man.  In fact, any respectful man, will not allow a non-related woman to spend time alone with him.  There in, exists the proof of good character.

Our Immediate Request

We ask with the utmost humility to read this with an open and unbiased mind.  Irrelevant of your previous opinions of the very well respected Giani Thakur Singh.

Our main concern is for the truth to be established.  For Bibi 1’s story to be heard.  For Giani Thakur Singhs responses to be heard.  For any other information that arises from this episode to be shared. For sangat to be made aware of all things and for divine justice to prevail.

We will also ask our questions in the process, which arise from a neutral mind.  We will try respect the privacy of all other parties involved on both sides and refer to people with pseudo-names.

Blog format:

1 – Accusation

2 – Timeline of events

3 – Analysis of Bibi’s phone recording

4 – Analysis of Giani Thakur Singhs response

5 – Other observations and information

6 – Analysis of an Interview with Giani Thakur Singh

1 - Accusation

Bibi 1 was called to Giani Thakur Singhs bedroom by his sevadaar, the husband was going to come up also, but was asked to remain behind. Giani Thakur Singh wanted to see Bibi 1 alone.  Giani Thakur Singh was having tea in his bedroom after his afternoon nap.  Bibi 1 went to Giani Thakur Singh’s bedroom with the sevadaar and sat down on a chair the other side of the room (out of respect).  Giani Thakur Singh was sitting on a bed.  Sevadaar left the room.  Giani Thakur Singh called Bibi 1 over to give her parsaad (from the badaam he was eating).  Giani Thakur Singh told the Bibi 1 how happy and overjoyed he was with her nishkaam seva (she made continuous langar for all visiting sangata and looked after everyone’s needs continuously for 13 days).  Bibi 1 was sitting on the floor in front of him.  He then lent down to hug her, which she thinking was a show of fatherly affection from a Mahapurkh-Bazurg, allowed.  He then said ‘hon bulla te kiss vi dehdeh’.  Bibi 1 says ‘Giani Ji, asi tuhada satkaar pita vaan karde ne’.  Giani Thakur Singh says ‘bulla te kiss kadee nahi kardee, kee hoya?’.  Bibi 1 said ‘bilkul nahi’. Giani Thakur Singh then says how he kisses his own daughter on the lips and there is nothing wrong with it.  Bibi 1 Ji not believing what she is hearing, asks him ‘tu sachi apni tee nu bulla te kiss karda ne’.  Giani Thakur Singh says ‘Hanji, har vele’.  Bibi 1 Ji moves away from Giani Thakur Singh and leaves the room in disgust and confusion.

About Bibi 1

Bibi 1 is from India and was married to a man in the UK.  She is a very quiet, and simple lady, who had full devotion and faith in Guru Granth Sahib Ji.  It was in Sikhi she found her strength to see her years of suffering through.  She found inspiration in the kathaa of Giani Thakur Singh and when he visited, did his seva with full heart.  As is clearly acknowledged by Giani Thakur Singh several times in his response.   In fact, this is why he says he gave her ‘pyaar’.

About Bibi 2

Bibi 2 is a very well respected person who is happily married and has a child.  She has done and continues to do a massive amount of seva for the Khalsa Panth in the form of voluntary charity work, inspirational lectures etc.  Bibi 2 also did much seva of Giani Thakur Singh for a number of years on his visits to the UK.  It was in Bibi 2 that Bibi 1 finally confided.

2 - Time-line of events leading up to above incident:

19^th August 2012 

Giani comes to stay at Bibi 1’s house.  He stays there for 2 weeks.

23^rd August 2012

Bibi 1 is struggling with seva and making langar for all sangat coming to the house, so Bibi 2 offers to stay with her.   Bibi 2 stays with her until she has to have to undergo a vital operation.

3^rd September 2012

Bibi 2 goes to hospital for operation

4^th September 2012

Bibi 1’s family drops off Giani Thakur Singh in Derby for evening katha program. 

5^th September 2012

Bibi 1’s husband drives Giani Thakur Singh to Huddersfield. 

7^th September 2012

Bibi 1’s family go to Bradford to visit Thakhur Singh.

Date of Incident:  Saturday 8^th September 2012 @ 3pm

22^nd September 2012

There after.  Bibi 1 only saw Giani Thakur Singh again ONLY ONCE.  It was during the Dasam Darbar which occurred on 22^nd September at Guru Amardas Ji Gurdwara in Southall.  The reason Bibi 1 says she went to this, is because she was too scared to tell her husband what happened (as he was big fan of Giani Thakur Singh so she did not think he would believe her).  She stayed quiet throughout.  She attended with her husband and Bibi 2 who came with her husband.  Giani Thakur Singh gave Bibi 1 flowers that he received from the sangat at end of divaan.

November 2012

Approx 3 months later, Bibi 1 and Bibi 2 were doing sangat.  Bibi 1 felt she needed to tell someone about incident as it was haunting her now and playing on her mind all the time.  So she confided in Bibi 2 and asked her not to tell anyone.

November 2013

1 year later.  Giani Thakur Singh called Bibi 2 when he landed in UK for his 2013 tour and asked her ‘do you know I am in the UK, why haven’t you come to visit?’.

Bibi 2 said ‘how can I, after what you did to Bibi 1.  You tried to kiss her.  Do you know what state you left her in?  She has stopped her nitnem because of you’.  Giani Thakur Singh replied ‘haaww, is that what she thinks, she has completely misunderstood me, I think of her as a daughter’.  Giani Thakur Singh starts speaking about karam.  Bibi 2 puts the phone down on him.  And has not contacted him again since.

Bibi 2 did not tell anyone apart from her husband until a year later in August 2014, because Bibi 1 did not want anyone to know because of her gentle and unconfident nature. 

August 2014

In August 2014, during some panthic veechaar with some trusted Singh brothers, Bibi 2 shared what happened.  Singhs asked a number of times if Bibi was sure and queried all facts.  Bibi 1 confirmed.  Singhs said that if this is true, at a time when Punjab is drowning in kuri maar, nari maar, rape, and is flooded with pakhandi Sants who take advantage of bibian everyday, this Bibi’s story should be heard and Giani Thakur Singh should have to answer for it. 

NONE of the Singhs are affiliated with any jathabandi.  If anything, they actively stay neutral and focus on Sikhi only.  Bibi 1 and Bibi 2 are also NOT part of any jathabandi either.  The bottom line they were told, was that sangat who had become aware of this was going to have to one day show their face to Guru Gobind Singh one day.  He will ask.  ‘What did you do to protect my daughter, did you listen to her, did you give her justice?’.

The Singhs enquired further and found out that allegations had been made in other countries about Giani Thakur Singh of a similar nature in the past, but had amounted to nothing.  Because in Punjabi rvaaj, bibiyan are not encouraged nor supported to come forward.  And when they do, they are not believed.  Especially if the perpetrator is a top level Parcharak/Sant.  There was obviously the possibility that the Bibi could be lying.  So the Singhs said nothing can be done without proof.  So Bibi 2 spoke to Bibi 1 and said if you want to make the Panth aware of Giani Thakur Singh’s actions, and for it to serve as a warning to others at the very least, you must speak to Giani Thakur Singh about the incident so sangat knows it happened.  Knowing that she had support of Khalsa Veers, Bibi 1 agreed to make the call.  The call was recorded.  The ONLY editing done, was to muffle Bibi 1’s name to hide her identity and to try and hide her face for the same reason.  Aside from this, there is NO cutting or editing done to the video.  We have seen the original and verified.  Others who are doubtful are free to get the video tested and verified independently.

On Going

In the same month.  One of the Singhs (Singh 1) was visiting sangat in Glasgow.  He found out that Giani Thakur Singh was going to be staying with the parvaar of one of the bibiyan in the sangat.  He felt duty bound to tell the Bibi, but did not want to share the evidence with her alone (her husband was visiting Giani Thakur Singh at the time).  So Singh 1 showed the video to the small trusted sangat that was collected at the same time.  He advised the sangat to question Giani Thakur Singh in the form of 5 UNBIASED Singhs.  We do not think 5 Singhs questioned Giani Thakur Singh, but some of the sangat did indeed show Giani Thakur Singh the video and ask for clarification.  The sangat overall accepted Giani Thakur Singhs version.  We have been told, that Newcastle and Glasgow are Giani Thakur Singhs strong holds (most loyal sangat) in the UK.

During this time, a main sevadaar (Sevadaar 1) of Giani Thakur Singh from Newcastle contacted Singh 1.  Asking for a copy of the video he promised to take an unbiased stance. He said that Newcastle sangat was worried about the allegation as they too, had parvaars and would look into it and ensure they themselves, would punish Giani Thakur Singh if he was guilty.  Singh 1 requested that Giani Thakur Singh meets with 5 neutral Singhs, who would question him and ascertain the facts.  They would accept whatever the 5 decided.  Sevadaar 1 agreed.  It was agreed to keep everything low key and neutral.  Singh 1 also decided he would not be part of 5 Singhs, as he already had a biased opinion.  Within 1 hour of the this conversation, Singh 1 was contacted by another Singh, who said Sevadaar 1 was spreading some story about a mental bibi putting false accusations to Giani Thakur Singh.  We have checked and verified the original communication.

So it seems in the guise of wanting to sort this out discreetly, a propaganda campaign was started by Sevadaar 1 to get as many sangata on board as possible, before the video became public.  Singh 1 said to Sevadaar 1 that propaganda was being spread, please ensure it stops.  Sevdaar 1 replied that in the presence of Maharaj, he had nothing to do with any such thing.  We have seen and verified that the communication sent out slandering Bibi 1 was indeed sent from Sewadar 1’s phone. The same sewadar who only one hour before sending the said communication, vowed to deal with this situation in an unbiased fashion,  

Knowing this.  Singh 1 continued with the plan to meet Giani Thakur Singh with 5 Singhs and Bibi 2.  Bibi 1 wished to stay anonymous, as she was going through enough stress during this process.

Singh 1 asked a trustworthy friend Singh 2, to help finding 5 neutral Singhs.  As Giani Thakur Singh was a Taksali, effort should be made to ensure at least one was a respected Taksali.  In the process of speaking to a few respected Taksali Singhs, one of them decided to raise the issue to him in a Birmigham Gurdwara divaan.  Giani Thakur Singh gave his answers, asked sangat to believe him as he was in Maharajs hazuri and even put his hand on Guru Gobind Singhs picture.  Again, same as Glasgow, the sangat present overall believed him.   It must be stressed, that as was the case in Glasgow, sangat here were already great admirers of Giani Thakur Singh.  The Singhs who raised the question however, were not convinced.

Sevadaar 1 informed Singh 1 that they would not meet 5 Singhs now because video had apparently been spread over whatsapp and internet.  We have not seen evidence of this as yet.  Having asked Singh 1 about video being shared, Singh 1 has said video has only been shared with a few people in Glasgow and a few in UK.  It has not been spread by them.  If they wanted to spread it, they could have done so easily and not bothered consulting Giani Thakur Singh or anybody else.  Singh 1 points out that Sevadaar 1 did however contact many people with pro Giani Thakur Singh propaganda (shown to us) and possibly sent video out too.  Who shared the video out to sangata remains to be seen/established.  Sevdaar 1 continued, that Giani Thakur Singh had said ‘do what you like.  Show everyone the video.  Maharaj will take care of it’.  Sevdaar 1 said to Singh 1 ‘you have go ahead, to do what you like’.

Giani Thakur Singh had one week kathaa organised in East London.  Singh 1 contacted a trusted and neutral Singh (Singh 3) in East London.  Singh 3 spoke to the committee of the Gurdwara, who intelligently agreed to meet Giani Thakur Singh and ask him some questions.  Singh 3 did not give the video to the committee but instead attended the meeting and showed it on his laptop.  The video was watched by Singh 3, 4 committee members, Giani Thakur Singh and Sevadaar 2 (of East London).  Giani Thakur Singh was asked questions regarding the incident in an hour long interview.  This interview will be shared at a later point.  The interview ended ‘inconclusive’.   Giani Thakur Singh was told he could continue his kathaa that week, but the Gurdwara would continue to investigate the situation, which it has.

September 2014

Post East London interview, the video has been leaked and is now making its rounds on facebook and the internet, with a number of Sikh media sites writing articles making video responses on the situation.

It seems that just before Giani Thakur Singh was due to catch his plane from the UK (back to India) he made a VLOG style video response, in which he denies any wrong doing, shares his opinion on who is behind this and why, and gives evidence of his seva, good character and global recognition.
(See section 4 below to view his response)

• SikhVoice.com analysis of his response:

(We are in no way associated with Sikh Voice.  We are simply using the publically made available video which we have cross referenced against the original and verified it is unedited).

We have been told that various respected Taksali Singhs have been approached in the UK and India, but although support for Giani Thakur Singh is not that strong amongst the various Taksaal groups (with many not even being fans of his before this event due to a number of other reasons), nobody wishes to step forward and question him or to give a statement.

3 – Analysis of Bibi’s Phone Recording

The phone conversation:

We will now analyse the original phone recording and simultaneously cross reference against what we have been told Giani Thakur Singh said in his defense when interviewed in Scotland and England.

To start with.  We have watched the original unedited video and the one leaked on to media.  We can concur that the time span for both is the same, and that the neither video has been cut.  The only editing done, is the name of the Bibi being drowned out when she introduced herself and her face being covered, in order to conceal her identity as per request for her safety, although Giani Thakur Singh knows very well who she is.

Observations:

@ 1:25 – Upon being asked, why didn’t you get in touch or call when you visited last year (2013 UK Tour, incident took place in 2012) Giani Thakur Singh says “I was waiting for you, you didn’t come, I thought perhaps you are upset with me”.

So a natural question arises here.  Why would a respected Giani who has been accused of kissing a Bibi sevadaar, be expecting her to visit him again?  Why would an innocent person say, “I thought you were upset with me”?

Giani Thakur Singh when interviewed (where? By whom?) said that he was in the company of esteemed Mahapurkh.  So was not able to speak to the Bibi properly.  In his video response above, he says he was sitting amongst sangat (1:39). In his interview he said the Mahapurkh were giving him angry eyes and hinting at him to put the phone down.  From the conversation with the Bibi, it seems that Giani Thakur Singh is quite relaxed and even jovial in his responses, which is contrary to the scenario he has portrayed.   In usual mannerism, it is uncivilized to answer phone when in sangat.  When in the company of Mahapurkh, we think it would be obvious   We do think it is not difficult for someone to say “I am a little busy at present, please call back later”, at the outset of a conversation, if that is indeed the case.

Bibi later mentions that she has problems etc.  He shows no support and offers no advice.  She then mentions an incident which took place which she says she has tried to forget (3:15) and Giani Thakur Singh laughs it off and says “often, people become paranoid about incidents”. 

Then at 4:04 Giani Thakur Singh says that it’s just some past actions (karam) which have come in front of you.  We have questioned this strange statement, as  it seems there is an implication, that all that happened was due to her previous karam.  It seems as though the blame for the alleged misbehavior of Giani Thakur Singh is being put on the Bibi’s past actions.  To us, this comes across as manipulative and nocebo seems to have been applied here psychologically.  He then says “it is just a thought which has manifested, and to forget about it and do paat and listen to kathaa”.  This seems to us like the issue is trying to be brushed under the carpet very quickly.  In addition, Giani Thakur Singh implies it’s all in her head, implying mental issues.  He has also mentioned to his other UK sevadaars that Bibi 1 has mental issues.  If this is the case, why did he ask her to ring him back in a few days?  Why did he not contact other members of her family and ask that she see’s a GP? 

@ 4:24 Giani Thakur Singh says “I am at a program, and call me in 2 days”.   This he says only when the Bibi is forcing him to talk about the incident that took place.  Before this incident was mentioned, Giani Thakur Singh seems quite relaxed and jovial.

@ 5:00 the Bibi has asked again, “tell me form your heart, would you kiss your own daughter on the lips, like you were trying to kiss me”.  To which Giani Thakur Singh responds laughing saying “no nothing happened, what happened”.  This to us does not seem like the kind of a response someone who is a world renowned Sikh personality would give.  We feel that an innocent person would have become angry at this point, whether in the company of sangat, MahaPurkh or if all alone.  And protested such a dangerous allegation.

We have checked the Bibi’s phone and can confirm she did indeed call Giani Thakur Singh on a number of occasions 2 days after the original call, as per Giani Thakur Singhs request.  She even called for a days afterwards.  Giani Thakur Singh did not answer his phone nor call the Bibi back to clear up the allegation.

The only time Giani Thakur Singh answered his phone as per inspection of the Bibi’s phone, was when he had landed in the UK.  This conversation was also recorded, we have listened to it, but unfortunately it has come out corrupted.  We will endeavor to put it up here too none the less.  In this conversation, Giani Thakur Singh denies the incident a little more aggressively.  Interestingly, here, he too, was in sangat when speaking on the phone.  But his approach has changed.  There is a chance that the reason for this change in tone, was that now Giani Thakur Singh was in the UK (Bibi’s territory) and about to start his UK Tour, so felt under pressure or this getting out.

4 – Analysis of Giani Thakur Singhs response:

We will now analyse Giani Thakur Singh’s response video which we believe he made just before he was about to leave the UK after his tour ended.

Video of response:

The first thing we noticed about this interview is the Giani Thakur Singh looks up and to the side when talking.  We count him doing this at least 8 times during the video.  We sought advice of a Police detective  who informed us that under interrogation, one particular aspect of undergoing a human lie detector test is that when someone lies, they look up and to the side during conversation.

The interview starts with Giani Thakur Singh saying that he people are taking advantage of his conversation.  So the first thing to clearly note here, is he has admitted to the conversation (recorded call) taking place.  Especially as there seems to be many people in the public who think it is not Giani Thakur Singhs voice in the video and that it is a fake.  We have also checked the phone number on the original video which we have verified as Giani Thakur Singhs India telephone number. 

He says in the response he could not speak properly during the conversation due to being amongst sangat.  But again, until the incident was mentioned, he seemed to be speaking absolutely fine.  He then mentions he asked Bibi 1 to call after 2 days, but forgets to say he did not answer the phone then, or after, until he arrived in UK (perhaps thinking that she would give up on calling).  We are still wondering why he himself did not call the Bibi 1 back, or arrange for sangat in UK to meet her, or something else, in order to clear this allegation up?

@ 2:16, after saying he told the Bibi off (after answering her call in the UK) he says that he gave the Bibi ‘Pyaar’, on the premise of being an old man.  So the question which arises here is ‘what Pyaar was given’?  Confirmation is then given that some sort of Pyaar was given.  He then goes on to deny saying he asked for kiss me on the lips.

@ 2:27 Giani Thakur Singh says that this incident occurred 2 years ago.  Questioning ‘why is it being raised now’?  Yet, in the original conversation he acknowledges that the Bibi has personal problems which she thinks cannot be resolved.  Why should it matter that the incident is being raised 2 years later?  In Britain there are high profile cases occurring with regards to girls being abused by TV stars over 3 decades ago.  All the girls are receiving sympathy and understanding across the UK.  The alleged are still being tried. 

There are many reasons why shy, mentally abused and scared girls hide their experiences.  This is a well known phenomena.  But it seems from the comments we have read on media by supporters of Giani Thakur Singh, this 2 years gap is evidence enough of false allegation.

Giani Thakur Singh then goes on to say that the Bibi has done outstanding seva and that he was so happy with her.  So being well respected and someone of high spirituality, we would assume that such a person would only give blessings to and speak so highly of someone whose character they can verify.  He then says he gave them (parvaar) Pyaar.  Yet, in the time line of events, it was only the Bibi who was asked to go to his room.  The husband was asked to stay downstairs.  So it was not ‘them’ he gave Pyaar to, but rather the Bibi alone.  We personally do not understand why he did not speak to Bibi 1 in front of her husband and give them both Pyaar.

He then says Bibi 1 and parvaar visited him numerous times, here and in India and gave gifts etc (2:47), AFTER the incident took place.  Yet, in the original recording he clearly says we haven’t met in 2013, and that he thought she was upset with him.  There is no mention of India.  We have asked the Bibi if she met him again also, and aside from one visit to his last divan (which her husband wanted to go to) she has never seen him again, NOR given him any gifts. This therefore comes across as a lie.  However, during the investigation, we can however mention, that Giani Thakur Singh  certainly is always in receipt of many gifts.  In many cases brought to us, he as even given sevadaars lists of items he requires.  Including new iphones, lots of armless jackets and even bras for his wife.  We have been told that he specifically requests high quality goods like M&S and turns away clothing from more affordable shops like Primark.  So his reference to gifts is certainly verified in the larger scheme of things.

2:57 Giani Thakur Singh, in factual form, makes a highly dangerous allegation that the Bibi has been manipulated and forced to do this by another JatheBandi (Sikh Group) who is the enemy of DamDami Taksaal.  We have spoken to the Bibi and others involved.  And know of their Sikh beliefs, practices and associations on an individual level, and can strongly confirm, that none of the parties involved is actually part of any JatheBandi, let alone an enemy of any JatheBandi.  The individuals involved carry out many forms of important seva for the UK Khalsa sangat, and are well respected themselves.  In fact upon doing veechaar with them, it is quite clear that they have the utmost respect for many famous Taksali personalities including Baba Sundar Singh, Baba Gurbachan Singh, Bhagat Ji, Sant Jarnail Singh, Sant Kartaar Singh, and others.  So we feel this allegation put forward by Giani Thakur Singh is actually highly irresponsible, highly inflammatory, and highly dangerous (divisive).  It seems as though Giani Thakur Singh is trying to rally all of Taksaal to his side by creating an illusionary enemy.  We have spoken to quite a few senior and well respected members of the Taksaal community.  Both here and in Giani Thakur Singhs home town of Patiala.  We found that he does not actually have as much support as we though he might from Taksaal itself.  In fact, many we spoke to, have a low opinion of Giani Thakur Singh, as in their own words “he tells loads of fibs in his kathaa”, the Punabi word used was “Gappi”.

But sadly, we could not get anyone to give a statement as most care about the honor of their Jathaa.  We would say here, that the honor of Taksal in any way shape or form is not at risk or under attack here from what we have seen.  This is an allegation against ONE individual.  Not against a whole community.  So if anyone has any other evidence of similar incidents or has any personal experience of knowing Giani Thakur Singh personally, to come forward and make a public statement.

Another observation after seeing the evidence, is that in Scotland, Giani Thakur Singh says the Bibi is doing this because she is ‘Mental’.  In East London he says that it is Bibi 2 putting her up to it.  In his response, he gives his 3^rd version of the alleged objective, that it is an enemy Jathaa, setting out to derail the good name of Taksaal.  This changing story does not inspire confidence in us at all, for both his defense or his character.

3:08 Giani Thakur Singh here mentions that the enemy Jathaa persuaded Bibi to spread the video on whatsapp and put the video on the net to expose him.  We have checked the download share file.  And spoken most parties involved.  The video only got sent around after the East London interview.  In fact, the people who interviewed him were not even given a copy of the video (verified) a copy was brought to the meeting via a sevadaar.  The video seems to have been leaked by one person, we are not sure who this was.  But we do know that Sevadaar 1 of Giani Thakur Singh had started spreading propaganda without knowing the facts about the Bibi and sent out the video to various people by way of derailing it.  So there is a good chance the video fell into the wrong hands here.  From the Bibi’s side, we have spoken to at least 4 people to whom the video was sent (by way of requesting the 5 Singh seva) and can verify that they were told to watch the video and not share it with anyone.  The 4 Singhs also verified they did not send it to anyone.  So the intentions to keep the video private by Bibi 1’s helpers, seems genuine.

3:17 Here Giani Thakur Singh says that a false (nakli) video has been made with lots of editing (cutting cooting).  We again checked the original recording Vs the leaked recording and confirm that absolutely no cut has been made.  The only editing is red Xs inserted to hide the face and reflections of the Bibi’s face and some muffling where her name is mentioned in order to protect her identity.  We also went to the extent of checking the Bibi’s phone bill to verify the length of the phone call, the date and number called.  Everything reconciles.  So this also appears to be an outright lie. 

3:28  Here Giani Thakur Singh speaks about how he is a responsible, well respected globally known personality and uses this as proof of his innocence.  It surprises us that this is being said at all.  A Gurmukh does not do his own ustat (praise) and a criminal who tries to cover his crime never says he is immoral, not respected etc.  This would not work as evidence in a court of law i.e. a self statement.  Having spoken to people who have known him, been in his sangat.  We have seen 2 mindsets.  Those that praise him and put him on a pedestal (think he can do no wrong).  And those who totally dislike because of his alleged money/gift collecting antics and telling tall tales in his katha.

From a GurMat perspective, we do not believe anyone aside from the Guru is beyond perfection.  In ithihaas we hear many sakhiyan where GurSikhs near and dear, well respected, of the highest jeevan, raised by the Guru himself, for example, Bhai Joga Singh, were fallible in thought and action.

3:38 Giani Thakur Singh says that he is someone with a high discipline (ucha jeevan).  During the investigation and speaking to various Gursikh who have hosted Giani Thakur Singh, we were told that he seldom does AmritVela and NITNEM.  He was observed numerous times waking up after 7 o’clock and upon being queried, has told some people that “the MahaPurkh have blessed me to focus on Kathaa and I do not have to do NITNEM.  I confer the blessings on NITNEM on to you”.   We have not heard this from Giani Thakur Singh himself, but because there was a number of people who spoke about this redundant NITNEM issue, and that Giani Thakur Singh mentions his highly disciplined  lifestyle, we felt it important to share.

3:45 Again Giani Thakur Singh says he gave his Pyaar to them (but it was only her in the room) as he would to a child.  We would like to know further, how is Pyaar given to a child.  Furthermore, this is a grown woman, married and with children.  She is hardly a small child, and we believe, should not be treated as one in a physical sense.  The chariters of Dasam Granth warn us against not being careful in these situations and actually, to not even get into these situations i.e. alone with a married woman in a bedroom.  No matter who you are.  The Sakha of Bibi Anoop Kaur demonstrates this well.

3:57  Giani Thakur Singh says that the sangat should not believe that he is such a person (of bad character).  All the sangat knows and ALL the MahaPukh know (about my character).  This is a very big statement to make.  We asked many people who have been in Giani Thakur Singhs sangat, including Taksalis from India.  And the response we get is not the same as the statement made here claiming that ALL know of his good character.

Another interesting observation at this point is that Giani Thakur Singh again talks highly of the Bibi and her incredible seva.  He then goes on to say that it is not her fault, and that she is being put up to it.  However, in the original conversation, it is clear that Giani Thakur Singh has already been quizzed by the Bibi as to why he asked for a kiss on the lips.  At this point, Giani Thakur Singh does not say someone has put you up to this or make any attempt to deny or question her allegations.   It is clear from Giani Thakur Singh himself that the Bibi quizzed him on this when the incident actually place.  So this proves there is no 3^rd party involved as the original video is a direct conversation, without edits between the two of them, based solely on the incident that took place.

4:17  Here Giani Thakur Singh says what’s the point meeting 5 Singhs now that the video has been put on whatsapp.  My business has been destroyed (mere kam khraab kitha).  We find this statement a little disrespectful, especially coming from an esteemed Parcharak.  How can meeting 5 Singhs ever be a waste of time?  5 Singhs represent the Guru.  And we have verified who the 5 Singhs were going to be.  They were well respected GurSikhs, 2 of which had good relations with Taksaal or were Taksali.  This statement is later totally contradicted when Giani Thakur Singh says he is willing to meet and discuss this with anyone.

4:29 Giani Thakur Singh says that just of one your hearts has been broken (Bibi) but you have broken the hearts of 100,000s and broken sangat from Guru.   Thinking about this a little, we seem to see an admission here than the Bibi’s heart has been broken.  But if nothing happened, then how and why would her heart be broken? 

Giani Thakur Singh also goes on to say that 100,000s have been broken from Sikhi because of this.  This is a big claim to make.  Sikhi is a relationship between A and B.  Sikh and Guru.  A Gurmukh’s (call him Giani, Sant, Baba, MahaPurkh) job is simply to tell the people about Guru. And direct them towards Guru to make their own efforts at khoj, naam abiyaas, seva and jeevan.  So by implying that by his name being disgraced, 100,000s Sikhi has been broken, is a false claim in our eyes.  Giani Thakur Singh IS NOT Guru.  A true Sikhs relationship with Guru can never be broken.  But we agree, those who put their faith in personalities, rather than in the Guru, their faith can certainly be broken.  This is actually what happened to the Bibi.  After this incident took place, this Bibi with a high jeevan (seva and simran, as evidenced by Giani Thakur Singh himself) stopped doing NITNEM.  Because she had put Giani Thakur Singh on such a high pedestal.  This should serve as a warning to ALL SANGAT.  Aside from Guru Sahiban, do not put anyone on a pedestal.  Have respect for those who are worthy, but bow your head only to the Guru.  The Bibi thankfully kept doing ardaas, and through support of other GurMukhs, increased her faith in Sikhi and the Guru (directly).

4:40 Giani Thakur Singh says he has left this whole incident in the hands of Guru Ji.  The thought does arise in our heads, if this was the case, then why did he feel the need to make this highly defensive video just before he left the UK?   Especially as earlier he has said that all the sangat and all the MahaPurkhs know he is innocent..?

4:43 Giani Thakur Singh says that whoever is at fault, Guru will give them punishment.   Again we are confused, who is at fault here?  The Bibi who Giani Thakur Singh is still speaking so highly about (yet who is the one who has made public the allegation of him asking for a kiss after hugging her alone in a bedroom) or the sangat who have supported the Bibi and said they will stand by her if she wishes for her story to be heard, so that other Bibiyan around the world can be warned?  Surely it is either a case of gross misunderstanding on the Bibi’s part, or else Giani Thakur Singh is guilty.  If it is a misunderstanding on the Bibi’s side, should Giani Thakur Singh not being doing ardaas for Guru to shower his grace on this otherwise chardikalla Bibi?  It is unbecoming of someone respected as a spiritual personality to not have daya.

We have heard this Bibi do numerous very powerful and emotional ardaasa to Guru Gobind Singh, to expose Giani Thakur Singh’s lies and punish him for his crime.  It is only fair that the sangat knows that this ardaas for justice, we have heard with our own ears.  We have heard the Gursikhs who are supporting the Bibi do the same ardaas too.  We are also keeping a close eye with regards to which one is being accepted by the Guru, with regards to how this incident is progresses.

4:56 Giani Thakur Singh says that it was a plot to not bring Bibi 1 but bring another Bibi and 5 other Singhs to meet him.  We have seen and can verify communication between Singh 1 and Sevadaar 1, that the original plan was for Bibi 2 to meet Giani Thakur Singh along with 5 neutral Singhs.  This was accepted by Giani Thakur Singh.  He now implies the plan was changed and another Bibi was asked to attend instead.  This is not true and neither is the allegation of 5 other Singhs to attend.  Giani Thakur Singh could not know this because he was not even told who the 5 Singhs would be in the first place (as per communication we have viewed).  So this appears to be an attempt to justify getting out of this meeting.  Bibi 2 was also Giani Thakur Singh sevadaar for a number of years, and a good friend of Bibi 1. She know all the details of the incident, was present when Bibi 1 was doing seva and knows all parties involved.  She was going to represent Bibi 1, who out of fear of damaging an already fragile family situation, and because of her very nature (shy, nervous), wanted to remain anonymous (as most victims of any kind of perverted behavior do).

5:17 Giani Thakur Singh mentions how his parchaar is going extremely well, and CDs are selling etc.  He says that many people’s lives are turned around after listening to these CDs (which is of course a good thing).  But then he says many people have an issue with this (peoples lives changing for the better).  Again we are very unclear who exactly would have an issue with people’s lives being changed for the better.  We are starting to now feel that an enemy is being invented for the sake of his defense.

He then continues to tell listeners to not to give any focus on these allegations.  Instead listen to bani, kathaa and parchaar (his?).  We again have an issue with this.  Many people have genuine concerns about the rising number of cases involving Parcharaks, Kirtani, Babai etc where sexual misconduct has been proven.  Charitars of Guru Gobind Singh also give warning to always keep your eyes and ears open, and stay away from those with low morals.  Many send their daughters to learn or have sangat with trusted Sikh men like Giani Thakur Singh.  

To say not to pay any attention to a serious allegation of this type, especially when sangat have daughters and sisters whom they love and want to protect, seems to be encouraging sangat to lower their guard.  Which totally goes against our understanding of the Guru who says Khalsa should always remain ‘Tyaar Bar Tyaar’.  Aware, ever aware.  As well as Guru’s bachan to develop Bibek Budhi (Intelligent Discrimination).

6:08 Giani Thakur Singh states here that he is willing to go in front of Maharaj and speak to sangat whenever they request.  Yet, earlier, he has said, what’s the point of meeting 5 Singhs now that the video is on whatapp…?

He ends with another strong self defence (contradicting the earlier statement of leaving it in Guru’s hands) and says that many people have done these kind of accusations in the past out of jealousy etc.  It is interesting to hear Giani Thakur Singh say many people have accused him of things in the past.  This raises a red flag for us.  Having been in Sikh sangat for a number of decades, and having done close sangat with a number of Babai, Kirtani, Parcharaks, Jathai etc, we have not come across any individual who has had numerous accusations made against them.  In fact, most people we know who have been doing great seva for decades, have not even had one accusation made against them.  This certainly makes us wonder why Giani Thakur Singh has had so many accusations against him (by his in own submission).

5 – Other observations and information:

A        

We have heard different accounts about what physical contact took place.  The Bibi says she was sitting in front of him on the floor to accept parsaad (from badaam he was eating), after he called her over from the other side of the room. 

Giani Thakur Singh claims Bibi was sitting to his side.  This would then imply that she was sitting on his bed, next to him, in a room, by herself.  Bibi says that Giani Thakur Singh leant forward to hug her and she let him (eve though she says she felt uncomfortable with this).  Bibi says it was a full frontal hug with both arms around her and head close to her.  We have heard varying accounts of what Giani Thakur Singh has told the different sangats who have asked him.  In Scotland, we were told he said he gave the Bibi a side hug and brought his head close to her.  But no attempted kiss.  In Birmingham, we have heard he said he did not even touch her.  In East London, we have heard him say in the in the interview that, that he only gave thhaapra (pat) on her back.  We are unsure why different versions have been given.

B

We have heard many Singhs discussing the case and taking Giani Thakur Singhs side without even seeing or assessing the evidence.  Their reasoning is that the Charitars of Sri Dasam Granth, warn them about the tricks of women.  We would like to respond to this.  The Charitars teach the Khalsa to be careful of women OR men of low character and deceptive nature.  Reading the Charitars, one sees a pattern, that all those playing the game of deceit, do so for a reason.  There is an OBJECTIVE behind the deceitful actions i.e. lust, power, money etc.  Our question to our brothers who do not look at all the evidence and assume charitar applies, is this:  what is the objective of the Bibi?  Is she suing for harassment (money)? No.  Is she seeking a sexual favor? No.  Is she seeking power?  No.  Is she seeking revenge?  No.  Is she being forced?  No.  So, what is this Bibi’s objective?  Perhaps we should consider that it is to make sangat aware worldwide, so this (or worse) does not happen to any other Bibi.  Perhaps it is to give courage to other Bibiyan who may have been victims to also come forward.  Perhaps it is to show the world of Punjabi people, that Bibiyan will be abused and stay quiet, no more.

C

Another disturbing fact which we have been informed of by a few different Bibiyan who have done sangat with Giani Thakur Singh is that he has been seeing Bibiyan alone to discuss their life problems.  They say he has asked for £1,500 to arrange sampat paats in India which will allegedly help the Bibiyan.  We have also been told that he gives raakh (ashes) to Bibiyan (after collecting from toof and doing jaap of some bani) to help them with their problems i.e. husband is a drunk. 

We would urge anyone who has paid Giani Thakur Singh this massive amount of money to get paats done in India to let us know.  We do not agree with this.  In our eyes this is making a business out of bani.  Neither do we agree that someone can be helped by getting a path done on the other side of the world, where they cannot even hear the words of the Guru (that is if the path even gets done at all, there is no proof).  Giving raakh for whatever reason to desperate people, is also not a form of Gurmat.

We would like Giani Thakur Singh to respond to these allegations.  And we must stress, evidence of these accusations has been provided.

On this first installment of this blog, we would like to end by questioning why a vidhvaan of Sikhi even felt the need the to have physical contact with a married Bibi, after calling her up to his bedroom alone (disallowing her husband to come), giving her prasaad then giving her some form of hug.  We will put the kiss request and attempt allegation to the side for a moment.

A beautiful Sakhi came to our mind, of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj.  The truly perfect being, without blemish.  In mind, heart or action.  We feel this Sakhi not only spreads Guru Ji’s pure wisdom, but also allows for the GurMat view to be shared on this whole case.  Guru Ji’s words, which Giani Thakur Singh chooses to ignore, will not we pray, be wasted on all those reading this blog.  Please help to implement GurMat back into the Panth so that our sisters and daughters can no longer be taken advantage of:

A Princess who had been a devout Sikhni of Guru Gobind Singh for many years, finally had the opportunity to do a yatra to Anandpur and see her Guru for the first time. She travelled with much love and reverence in her heart.  Upon arriving at the magnificent Anandpur, her heart melted at the sight of beautiful way of life being practiced there.  She awaited her turn to have darshan of the King of Kings in the long and patient queue of those seeking to touch their head to the abode of wisdom.  Upon finally reaching the Guru, the Raani bowed her head with utmost reverence and respect and touched her head before the Guru’s holy charan.  The Guru put up his hand and gave blessing.  The Raani felt a little disappointed in her heart.  She let her heart speak.  “After waiting all these years to set my eyes upon your holy face, surely the least you can do is put your blessed hand on my karma laden head…?”.  The Guru replied “Aside from my Wife, I do not touch any other woman”.  The Raani further replied “but surely for the sake of blessing your GurSikh you can touch your hand on my head”?  Guru Ji asked one of his body guards to pass him a spear.  He touched the tip of the barsha on the Raani’s head and gave his blessings.

We implore the youth of the Panth to act on the 10^th Masters wisdom.  To stop this new ravaaj of Singhs and Bibiyan hugging each other whenever they meet, under the guise of paaji paaji bhenji bhenji.  And to stop meeting alone for whatever reason, there is no need.  When we bring back our age old traditions, we will bring back the raksha of the Guru, and all these stories of bibiyan being taken advantage of (which many of the Panth seldom believe) and Babai taking advantage, will all but stop.

Gyaan Kharag.  Arm your self with the Sword of Guru’s wisdom.

Vahi Guru Ji Ka Khalsa Vahi Guru Ji Ki Fateh