ABBOTSFORD, BC (KP)--Baba Mann Sinh Pehowa, a notorious so-called pseudo-sant, was greeted by hundreds of protestors during his visit to Kalgidhar Khalsa Darbar this past Thursday. Sikhs from all over the west coast arrived at the Gurdwara Sahib to ensure Baba Pehowa was not allowed to speak from the Gurdwara Sahib stage.
Blueridge Drive remained largely clogged as Sikh sangat rushed to the Gurdwara Sahib to protest against Baba Mann Sinh Pehowa and the Gurdwara Sahib committee. Placards and banners were held outside the Gurdwara Sahib premises in the parking lot and on the street as the sangat started pouring inside.
While protesters were estimated to number close to five hundred, a large number of Abbotsford Police Officers had also taken guard to stop any mishap. The protestors remained calm throughout and no arrests were made by the police officials.
While the initial plan to block the entry of Baba Mann Sinh to the Gurdwara Sahib failed as the Baba had arrived there an hour early, the program was eventually called off considering such a high opposition against the Baba and the committee members. Members of the Sikh sangat protesting against the Baba alleged that the committee was well-informed of the protest but they went ahead with the programs despite the sangat’s wishes.
The announcement to cancel the rapist Baba’s program was made at 8:30 PM and the Sikh sangat was asked to stop the protest that was going on outside. As tensions eased at the Gurdwara Sahib, the Baba made a swift exit from the back along with his followers that were accompanying him.
In the past, Baba Mann Sinh Pehowa has faced similar protests in Canada, the United States, and Australia and the situation that could arise was not unknown to the management committee of Kalgidhar Khalsa Darbar. Interestingly, the Pehowa saadh has travelled to numerous countries after the allegations against him became public. Every time however, his programs have resulted in cancellation at the last minute.
While sharing the reason behind the protest, a group of Sikh youths from Vancouver, BC alleged that if a person’s presence and discourse lead to protests and disruption of service at places of worship, it is advisable that they do not promote themselves as public figures. Instead they should come to Gurdwaras as part of the sangat and focus on personal and spiritual upliftment through the practice of the Guru’s words.
