Satguru Uday Singh

Satguru Uday Singh (Punjabi: ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਉਦੇ ਸਿੰਘ) is the current spiritual head of the Namdhari Sikhs. Previously, he has been the Indian president of Asia Pacific Seed Association and President of National Seed Association of India, Director of the International Seed Federation (ISF), and Director of the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII). chairman of Satguru Partap Singh Hospital and a patron of the Namdhari Hockey team.

Early life Sri Satguru Uday Singh is the nephew of the former head Satguru Jagjit Singh. Satguru Jagjit Singh himself supervised the learning of Thakur Uday Singh at the age of five years and taught him Gurmukhi alphabets. Later, he was sent to Guru Hari Singh Maha Vidyalaya (school). His music education was started with Seth Chandrahas. Later, he received music training from Ustad Piara Singh, Ustad Harbhajan Singh and Ustad Mahinder Singh. He also learnt playing of traditional stringed instrument Dilruba. Satguru Uday Singh has been the Indian president of Asia Pacific Seed Association (APSA) and President of National Seed Association of India, Director of the International Seed Federation (ISF), and Director of the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII). Along with others, the Indian seed companies contributed in making the nation a seed hub in Asia, ensuring institutional development for food security in the region. For his pioneering work on seed security in the region and enabling Asia Pacific Seed Association to be self-sufficient for developmental activities, Satguru Uday Singh was conferred Lifetime Achievement Award by APSA at its 30th year on 1 December 2024. The association highlighted the role played by Namdhari Seeds in promoting smallholder farmers and enabling them to be climate resilient amidst the changing climate, especially in the tropics, and mentioned that 'he has helped shape policies that continue to impact the seed industry at both regional and global levels'. Recognizing the need for accessible Gurbani education, Satguru Uday Singh has expanded learning opportunities both locally and globally. He has facilitated Gurbani learning through online classes and apps. He organizes special sessions where he personally listens to recitations by students. These included the 150th anniversary of Amrit-Daat to women (1863-2013), the 150th anniversary of Anand Karaj (1863-2013), and the 200th birth anniversary of Satguru Ram Singh Ji (1816-2016). The latter was marked by numerous events, including 200 havans, special ceremonies, and the issuance of commemorative coins by the Government of India. Other notable celebrations included the 350th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666-2016), the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-2019), and the 200th birth anniversary of Satguru Hari Singh Ji (1819-2019). The community also observed the 150th birth anniversary of Baba Sohan Singh Bhakna (1870-2020), the 100th birth anniversary of Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji (1920-2020), and the 400th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (1621-2021). These events featured religious ceremonies, scholarly lectures, cultural programs, and community gatherings, often attended by prominent religious and political figures. and the continuation of the tradition of performing 1.25 million paths (readings) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

Inter-faith dialogues Through a series of international conferences, Satguru Uday Singh encouraged mutual respect and understanding among various religious communities. On March 9, 2023, he hosted an inter-religious conference at the Namdhari headquarters in Sri Bhaini Sahib, Ludhiana, bringing together esteemed religious leaders to promote unity. The Namdhari Sikh Sangat organized a gathering of twelve religious organizations under the theme "Religious Harmony for World Peace" in Melbourne, Australia on April 23, 2023. In UK, an Interfaith Conference under the theme “Spirituality for a Peaceful Existence” on August 26, 2023, further solidified the message of bringing together faith leaders globally to advocate for peace and cooperation.

On July 20, 2024, Satguru Uday Singh hosted the “Interfaith Insights - Building Bridges of Humanity” event in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. Over 500 attendees gathered to celebrate Canada’s diversity and engage in discussions on building bridges of understanding across different traditions. This event underlined how religious communities can foster sustainable practices in a multicultural society.

The 5th Sarab Dharam Sammelan, an inter-faith conference, was held on October 13, 2024, in Sri Bhaini Sahib, Ludhiana. The event brought together prominent figures from various religions to promote unity and global peace. Key speakers emphasized the importance of love for humanity, spiritual growth, and inter-faith cooperation. Themes discussed included the universal respect for all religions, the need to practice religious teachings sincerely, and the common goal of promoting peace and welfare. During this event, Maulana Usmani Rehamani Ludhianavi shared the deep-rooted historical relationship between the Namdhari Sikh and his community, recounting how Satguru Ram Singh Ji had once assisted his forefather, Shah Abdul Qadar, during British persecution after the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny. Maulana Rehamani also acknowledged Satguru Partap Singh’s efforts in initiating inter-faith dialogues in pre-independent India, at a time when such actions used to be under strict surveillance by the colonial government.

Musical efforts The different initiatives in music include the annual Sangeet Sammelan at Sri Bhaini Sahib, which has become a major attraction for renowned musicians and music lovers since 2013. Satguru Uday Singh has also encouraged music conferences and workshops in various locations, including international venues. Namdhari Sangeet Kala Kendra at Sri Bhaini Sahib provides music education to children, with experienced musicians as instructors, with Satguru Uday Singh personally overseeing the appointment of teachers and the development of the curriculum, ensuring that students receive high-quality musical training. Many books have been published under his patronage. He was part of the 6th World Punjabi Conference in March 2018, which brought together prominent scholars, writers, and dignitaries to discuss the importance of Punjabi. In a unique initiative, he organized the first-ever book exhibition during the annual Hola Mohalla festival in March 2021, collaborating with the National Book Trust and various publishers to showcase Punjabi literature. The academy started with trials for young players, and by 2018, it had around 60-65 children, including 45-50 from outside Bhaini Sahib and 15 from the local area. The academy provides comprehensive training, accommodation, and education for the players.

Satguru Uday Singh has ensured that the academy has top-quality coaches, including both Indian and international trainers. The academy has employed coaches from Bulgaria, Serbia, England, and Portugal, alongside experienced Indian coaches. Badminton and Tennis coaching at Sri Bhaini sahib, a center for athletics and multi-sports facilities at Jeewan Nagar.

Environmental and social reform In January 2019, Satguru Uday Singh planned restoration of the historic 'Buddha Dariya" in Ludhiana, which has been left to a mere stream of polluted water due to years of mismanagement. An event, titled “Aan Milo Daryao,” was held near the Sewerage Treatment plant on Tajpur Road and aimed to raise awareness about the pollution affecting the water body. Participants, including prominent figures such environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, and singer Harbhajan Mann, took an oath to undertake concrete efforts to clean the river. Seechewal emphasized the moral obligation to protect nature, stating, “Nature is God, and it is our duty to safeguard it.” Organizers reported positive support from the public, administration, and local industries, expressing their commitment to ongoing efforts to revitalize Buddha Nullah and promote awareness in educational institutions. However, given the slow pace of the project, Satguru Uday Singh, who had earlier been appointed as the Chairperson of the Buddha Nullah Special Task Force, resigned from the chairpersonship and asked the Chief Minister to ensure practical progress for the success of the project.

Focusing on providing livelihood security in disadvantaged areas a new project on “Promotion of Rural Women Self Help Group Through Dairy Development” was launched by PNASF, Bangalore on March 31, 2007 in which Satguru Uday Singh was present amongst other dignitaries. In 2018, he inaugurated a new old age home in Patiala. A large-capacity old age home is being run at Sri Bhaini Sahib also.

In 2020 he encouraged Indians to remain at home and get vaccination amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Controversy

Succession crisis In 2012, after the death of Satguru Jagjit Singh, there was controversy surrounding who would succeed him as the next Guru. Thakur Uday Singh (nephew of Satguru Jagjit Singh) was announced as the successor. The other faction vying for Thakur Dalip Singh (excommunicated elder brother of Satguru Uday Singh) opposed this. There have been violent clashes between the two factions at different occasions. Satguru Uday Singh was attacked by a person during August 2013 in England, motivated by religious hatred. In 2014, Thakur Dalip Singh was questioned for alleged involvement in a murder case. On 25 December 2015, a bomb exploded in a car, being carried to a spot to target Satguru Uday Singh. Later, Mata Chand Kaur was assassinated in April 2016. Police hinted at the role of foreign elements behind the assassination, and implicated its link with a series of other incidents that were happening in Punjab around that time. In 2016, Satguru Uday Singh was given permission to bullet proof three of his cars and was accorded Z-plus security from the Indian government after the murder of Mata Chand Kaur and a bomb blast in Jalandhar. The links of the attempted murder in the car bomb case of 2015 led to questioning of Thakur Dalip Singh by Central Bureau of investigation, India. In 2019, CBI arrested the former driver of Thakur Dalip Singh in connection with the assassination of Mata Chand Kaur. Thakur Dalip Singh was reported to have joined investigation on 24 August 2018, but left India without intimation to the investigating agency and without obtaining permission from any competent court/agency to leave the country. CBI issued non-bailable warrants against Thakur Dalip Singh. On 11–12 August 2024, another violent clash happened between the supporters of the two factions in Sirsa district. The Punjab and Haryana High court denied bail to the prime accused belonging to Thakur Dalip Singh faction in this case, citing negative societal impact.

Murder attempt He was attacked by a person during August 2013 at the Gurdwara Namdhari Temple in England who claimed of sexual abuse in the mid-1990's. It was denied by him and the reason invalidated by Birmingham Crown Court finding the attack to be an assassination attempt.