Two-day annual seminar of the Institute of Sikh Studies was held at Chandigarh (Kanthala) on November 3 & 4, 2001. The subjects for discussion were,

i) Institutional failure in Punjab with respect to Sikhism

ii) Missing Sikh Prisoners

Four sessions - two on each day - were held. The first subject was discussed during the first three sessions and the second subject in the fourth session of the seminar. A galaxy of Sikh scholars and thinkers presented papers / made speeches at the seminar which was graced by very attentative and responsive audience of distinguished participants . Dr Gurcharan Singh Kalkat, former Vice Chancellor, Punjab Agriculture University Ludhiana, presided over the opening session of the seminar. Dr Amrik Singh, former Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala, and Dr Kehar Singh, Chairman, Punjab School Education Board presided over the second and third session respectively. The closing session was presided over by Justice Jaspal Singh (retd.). The audience / speakers had come from different parts of Punjab as well as from other parts of India and abroad.

Sardar Gurdev Singh, President of the Institute of Sikh Studies welcomed the participants on the opening session of the seminar on Nov. 3, 2001 and hoped that the deliberations of this seminar would help provide some solution to the problems faced by the Sikhs. Very informative, elucidating, thought provoking and learned representations were made by eminent speakers and some of the ladies / gentlemen from the audience. It was a very well organised and well-attended seminar which provided good opportunity to the scholars / thinkers concerned with the welfare of the Sikh people to get together and cogitate over the daunting shortcomings in the functioning of most of the Sikhs institutions.

After extensive discussions held by the speakers and a good number of ladies and gentlemen from amongst a very articulate audience, the following resolutions were unanimously passed before the seminar came to a very successful and smooth end.

Resolution 1.

This gathering of Sikhs assembled on the occasion of the Annual Seminar of the Institute of Sikh Studies, Chandigarh, has reviewed the progress and contributions of the major Sikh institutions, and is of the view that the institutions inherited from the Gurus are relevent for all times, and have been playing an abiding role in the growth and development of the Panth. However, some of the major organisations and institutions set-up by the Sikhs, which initially played very significant role, have not subsequently evolved to the extent required to meet the current challenges, and are now marked by lack or inadequacy of performance.

This gathering has noticed that the Sikh panth is passing through critical times, and is currently afflicted with numerous problems, like lack of unity, challenge to Sikh identity, hurt Sikh psyche, mushrooming deras, besides the difficulties faced by Sikh diaspora and backward tribes like Vanjaras, Sikligars, etc.

This gathering has come to the conclusion that this failure is due to the absence of a central apex body / organisation of the Sikhs, envisaged by Guru Gobind Singh at the time of conferring the eternal Guruship to Guru Granth Sahib and entrusting the panth with empirical responsibilities, under the doctrine of Guru Granth-Guru Panth. This gathering recommends, therefore, that this vacuum be filled, and calls upon the SGPC, as the most representative organisation of the Sikhs, to convene immediately a meeting of representatives of all recognised Sikh institutions, including the Sikh diaspora, to draw up concrete plans to set-up such a body.

This gathering also calls upon all other Sikh organisations to co-operate with SGPC in this noble task.

The gathering also welcomes the initiative of the Institute of Sikh Studies, and hopes that the Institute will provide such assistance as may be required in preparing detailed plans / documents for the proposed apex body.

Resolution 2.

The participants at the seminar on Institutional Failure in Punjab with Respect to Sikhism and Missing Sikh Prisoners conducted by the Institute of Sikh Studies, calls upon both the Central government and the government of Punjab and other states to provide the names, addresses, dates of arrest, dates and places of release wherever applicable, of all prisoners held under legal or illegal detention for so called Sikh militancy-related offences in Punjab and other States. This is in the public interest and in compliance with the laws of the country.

At the same time, the participants at the seminar on Institutional Failure in Punjab with Respect to Sikhism and Missing Sikh Prisoners conducted by the Institute of Sikh Studies, call upon both the Central government and the government of Punjab and other states to conduct a census of persons killed or disappeared in Punjab between the years 1982 and 1995. This is necessary in view of the fact that figures published by various sources, including the government, vary from 18,000 to more than 2 lakh. Only a meticulously conducted census organised by the government with the participation of all political parties and human rights groups will establish the true figure.