Re: Allegation of sexual abuse by S. Gurbax Singh Ji Kala Afghana Ji.
At least in American case law, the only element which would prevent randip singh from being liable for published slander (libel) against recognized entities such as the Newspaper Panthic weekly or the organizations DDT, 3HO, AKJ would be that he expresses his opinion and clearly acknowledges as such, and does not assert what amounts to a falsehood under authority of being a historian asserting a false fact.
What does this have to do with anything?
The Panth, per se is that which is affiliated with and recognized by Akal Takht Sahib, as opposed to a breakaway splinter group which considers itself to have Sikh identity but does not bring itself under the organizational structure of Sikhism by recognizing the authority Akal Takht. Such would be Radhasoami, Naamdhari, or other private congregations or groups. Because Akal Takht doesn't consider these groups "Sikh" they don't fall under the discipline of Akal Takht Sahib.
Regardless of DDT, AKJ, 3HO having the Panthic affiliation with Akal Takht, which is a religious designation giving them the right to be acknowledged as "Sikh," each of the above groups independantly as corporate bodies retains the right to recourse under law in the countries where they are registered. Even Akal Takht, like the Vatican, has lawyers and serves a corporate function.
I only urge common sense and caution when maligning the reputation of corporate entities, particularly a newpaper. Because it is objectionable to destroy the public confidence in such organizations. Besides which, it just brings the Sikh spirit of the forum down to malign Sikh groups (Which is what I mean by Panthic with a capitol "P.")
I was referencing randip singhs claim that we debate issues not people, and by American Case Law, organizations. Because it was by inference that we discuss relevant factual issues and dont degenerate into mud-slinging for the sake of creating disharmony or over-extending into actionable slanders which could harm the professional reputation of certain agencies, such as the newspaper Panthic Weekly. And no it is not entirely clear when randip singh makes his assertions whether he is speaking from the professional category as a "historian" which he so often reminds us, or individually as expressing a personal opinion.
To say you disagree with the above organizations or even the institution of Akal Takht is altogether of a different nature than to assert Panthic Weekly is fraudulent in their newsreporting aand bases their stories on hearsay and innnuendo. Even AKJ as an incorporated entity could initiate legal action against a presumed published libel. It would seem not the direction we want to be taking as a forum which discusses issues rather than nindya. Most Sikh forums stop mud-slinging against Panthic Jathas. Why does the forum moderator of this one permit it, even argue in support of it's defense? What kind of fairness are you speaking of?
Because the accusations randip singh makes against groups he does not agree with seem to cross the line of what is accepted by impugning the integrity of another and are unsupported statements of conjecture, I would ask that they be toned down, or qualified with supportable facts which would make them issues rather than statements of abuse. But what kind of reputation do we have as forum contributors to stoop so low as to engage in unsupported slander against Panthically affiliated Sikh groups? Why not discuss points of disagreement rather than organizations? Lets discuss keski as kakkar! Why impugn the AKJ?
What is randip singh being excluded from? No one thus far has commited slander or libel against Kala Afghana. Everything discussed has been supported either with lawsuit citation number or videotape of him directly. Should randip singh then be given blanket permission to smear and besmirch the reputations of Panthically recognized Sikh organizations on a public Sikh forum? And why and how would this be "fair?"
When I make reference to Panthic or Panthically recognized groups it is because I have loyalty to the Sikh Panth and do not believe in dragging my brothers and sisters in the dirt. We have enough enemies already. I ask you as a moderator how impugning the professional reputation of incorporated legal entities is fair and acceptable in a discussion about the problems associated with KA?
