Correspondence and Documents About the Siri Singh Sahib Corporation Board Decision to Deny the Vote to Our Kundalini Yoga Family in China
SUMMARY
Sat Nam. Below, you will find the legal opinion on the rights of Chinese teachers and students to vote in the upcoming Siri Singh Sahib Corporation (SSSC) Board election sought by Angad Kaur (Mrs Lo Mo Ching) from the legal firm Shandong Chengdong and addressed to the Siri Singh Sahib Corporation Board of Trustees.
You will also find a statement by Ekongkaar Kaur, a serving member of the Siri Singh Sahib Corporation Board, posted October 29, 2022 on Facebook, in which she defends the decision of the Board to disenfranchise the Chinese Kundalini Yoga Community on the grounds that "the SSSC needs to better understand what our legal requirements are to include citizens of the PRC (People's Republic of China) in an election of this nature" and "legal complications we have to address".
This is followed by a spirited defense of the right to vote by Angad Kaur, the founder of our Kundalini Yoga Community in mainland China.
It should be noted that Ekongkar Kaur's statement (above) flies in the face of the September 27, 2022 legal opinion given by Guo Yanan of Shandong Chengdong Law Firm that "the election of SSSC Board in 2022 is a matter within its own scope of institutional autonomy management. Chinese laws have no relevant restrictions on the operation and management of foreign organizations, nor do any restrict on Chinese citizens from participating in the normal operation and management activities of foreign organizations." (page 3) Guo Yanan continues "I, as a lawyer, believe that my client's participation in this SSSC board election activity has no relation with religious affairs." (page 4) In summary, "According to Chinese law, the lawful rights of citizens are protected by law. And I believe that my client's participation in the election of the SSSC Board is the embodiment of her active exercise, and is her personal legitimate right. She has the right to effectively safeguard her voting rights." (page 5)
In effect, this professional legal opinion states that:
1) There are no outstanding "legal complications" to address, and
2) Chinese citizens have a right to vote in the upcoming SSSC Board election and the right to safeguard
their voting rights.
You will also find a statement by Ekongkaar Kaur, a serving member of the Siri Singh Sahib Corporation Board, posted October 29, 2022 on Facebook, in which she defends the decision of the Board to disenfranchise the Chinese Kundalini Yoga Community on the grounds that "the SSSC needs to better understand what our legal requirements are to include citizens of the PRC (People's Republic of China) in an election of this nature" and "legal complications we have to address".
This is followed by a spirited defense of the right to vote by Angad Kaur, the founder of our Kundalini Yoga Community in mainland China.
It should be noted that Ekongkar Kaur's statement (above) flies in the face of the September 27, 2022 legal opinion given by Guo Yanan of Shandong Chengdong Law Firm that "the election of SSSC Board in 2022 is a matter within its own scope of institutional autonomy management. Chinese laws have no relevant restrictions on the operation and management of foreign organizations, nor do any restrict on Chinese citizens from participating in the normal operation and management activities of foreign organizations." (page 3) Guo Yanan continues "I, as a lawyer, believe that my client's participation in this SSSC board election activity has no relation with religious affairs." (page 4) In summary, "According to Chinese law, the lawful rights of citizens are protected by law. And I believe that my client's participation in the election of the SSSC Board is the embodiment of her active exercise, and is her personal legitimate right. She has the right to effectively safeguard her voting rights." (page 5)
In effect, this professional legal opinion states that:
1) There are no outstanding "legal complications" to address, and
2) Chinese citizens have a right to vote in the upcoming SSSC Board election and the right to safeguard
their voting rights.
FACEBOOK POST #1 BY EKONGKAR KAUR, MEMBER OF THE SIRI SINGH SAHIB CORPORATION BOARD
OCTOBER 29, 2022 (FOR FULL TEXT CLICK)
Sat Naam, everyone.
If you are following the developments in the Siri Singh Sahib Corporation election, you are most likely aware that the SSSC recently had to make the difficult decision to exclude voters from the People's Republic of China from participating in the election this year...
Currently, the government of the People's Republic of China officially recognizes a handful of religions. I cannot remember the list - but it include Buddhism, Christianity, and a couple others. Sikh Dharma/Sikhism is NOT on that list. It means that any Sikh-related religious activity exists in a kind of "gray" zone within the People's Republic of China. And it is that gray zone that we are attempting to understand.
Because the SSSC is a religious non-profit and because Sikhism is not formally recognized by the PRC and because this election essentially elects a "religious administrative" body, we have to be cautious in how we proceed. In order to protect the future of KRI in China, the SSSC needs to better understand what our legal requirements are to include citizens of the PRC in an election of this nature.
This isn't about Kundalini Yoga being a religious practice. It is not a religious practice. It is a health, wellness and spiritual practice that draws on the Shabad Guru. But administratively, at the moment, it is a religious board that oversees KRI. And how to solve this issue is going to be something for the SSSC Board to continue wrestling with. This issue is creating complications not only in China but in other places as well. However, it is only in China that there are legal complications that we have to address.
...of course the Chinese students should be able to participate in the election. They are part of the global community and their voice is important. But this decision isn't about our relationships with one another on the grass roots level. It is about the SSSC as a legal entity understanding its obligations under Chinese law. And that is a very different world...
The Chinese students have every right to be upset with this decision or to disagree with this decision. If I were in their shoes, I would be angry. But out of respect for the very different legal frameworks that we are coming from, we need to take the time to understand the issues fully and to resolve them harmoniously for the longevity of the organization... Blessings.
OCTOBER 29, 2022 (FOR FULL TEXT CLICK)
Sat Naam, everyone.
If you are following the developments in the Siri Singh Sahib Corporation election, you are most likely aware that the SSSC recently had to make the difficult decision to exclude voters from the People's Republic of China from participating in the election this year...
Currently, the government of the People's Republic of China officially recognizes a handful of religions. I cannot remember the list - but it include Buddhism, Christianity, and a couple others. Sikh Dharma/Sikhism is NOT on that list. It means that any Sikh-related religious activity exists in a kind of "gray" zone within the People's Republic of China. And it is that gray zone that we are attempting to understand.
Because the SSSC is a religious non-profit and because Sikhism is not formally recognized by the PRC and because this election essentially elects a "religious administrative" body, we have to be cautious in how we proceed. In order to protect the future of KRI in China, the SSSC needs to better understand what our legal requirements are to include citizens of the PRC in an election of this nature.
This isn't about Kundalini Yoga being a religious practice. It is not a religious practice. It is a health, wellness and spiritual practice that draws on the Shabad Guru. But administratively, at the moment, it is a religious board that oversees KRI. And how to solve this issue is going to be something for the SSSC Board to continue wrestling with. This issue is creating complications not only in China but in other places as well. However, it is only in China that there are legal complications that we have to address.
...of course the Chinese students should be able to participate in the election. They are part of the global community and their voice is important. But this decision isn't about our relationships with one another on the grass roots level. It is about the SSSC as a legal entity understanding its obligations under Chinese law. And that is a very different world...
The Chinese students have every right to be upset with this decision or to disagree with this decision. If I were in their shoes, I would be angry. But out of respect for the very different legal frameworks that we are coming from, we need to take the time to understand the issues fully and to resolve them harmoniously for the longevity of the organization... Blessings.
FACEBOOK POST #1 BY ANGAD KAUR, FOUNDER OF KUNDALINI YOGA IN CHINA, SHANGHAI
OCTOBER 29, 2022 (FOR ORIGINAL TEXT CLICK)
The SSSC decision was totally in favor of those who have prejudices towards our Chinese Government and its policy toward religious practice in China. What Ekongkaar Kaur said here is based on misconceptions and prejudices that have been created by the brain-washing western media. Only those who claim themselves to be EXPERT of China with prejudices with NO HEART can have all these flowery comments to cover their racist decision. If you can read English, please follow the lawyer's letter with professional legal clarification to SSSC for the Chinese community who were born and are still living on the land of China.
OCTOBER 29, 2022 (FOR ORIGINAL TEXT CLICK)
The SSSC decision was totally in favor of those who have prejudices towards our Chinese Government and its policy toward religious practice in China. What Ekongkaar Kaur said here is based on misconceptions and prejudices that have been created by the brain-washing western media. Only those who claim themselves to be EXPERT of China with prejudices with NO HEART can have all these flowery comments to cover their racist decision. If you can read English, please follow the lawyer's letter with professional legal clarification to SSSC for the Chinese community who were born and are still living on the land of China.
FACEBOOK POST #2 BY ANGAD KAUR, FOUNDER OF KUNDALINI YOGA IN CHINA, SHANGHAI
OCTOBER 29, 2022
OCTOBER 29, 2022
- The last photo says it all so clearly. Even though English is not our mother tongue, we still understand. Unfortunately, in our SSSC Board members' minds, we are blocked because of the numbers of Chinese voters who are pro-Yogi Bhajan.
- The Chinese government does not care if we vote for SSSC, but they care if a "China expert" like Ek Ong Kar Kaur declares and pays taxes to our Chinese government when the workshop is organized online or in person under a legal registered entity in China.
- I was the first teacher who started Kundalini Yoga in China and I used HK$ 1 million to legally registered a Fitness company in China to make sure all the Kundalini Yoga and meditation activities are the legal activities under Chinese law since 2005.
- All teachers invited by our company enter China with business visa and pay tax to Chinese government on their teaching fee.
- All religions are welcomed in China as long as they comply with the law.
FACEBOOK POST #2 BY EKONGKAR KAUR, MEMBER OF THE SIRI SINGH SAHIB CORPORATION BOARD
OCTOBER 29, 2022
Angad Kaur This is exactly correct. "As long as we comply with the law." And this is the work that the SSSC needs to do: to understand and comply with the law.
You have the right to disagree. We do disagree. But I do want to clarify that I have never claimed to be an expert on China. I have some experiences and I have a lot of affection for China. I believe that I have done some service over the years for the students there. A little bit. So maybe you can give me the benefit of the doubt that I am sincerely acting according to what I see as the best road forward for the whole community.
My view. But of course, all views are important and these debates are healthy for our future.
OCTOBER 29, 2022
Angad Kaur This is exactly correct. "As long as we comply with the law." And this is the work that the SSSC needs to do: to understand and comply with the law.
You have the right to disagree. We do disagree. But I do want to clarify that I have never claimed to be an expert on China. I have some experiences and I have a lot of affection for China. I believe that I have done some service over the years for the students there. A little bit. So maybe you can give me the benefit of the doubt that I am sincerely acting according to what I see as the best road forward for the whole community.
My view. But of course, all views are important and these debates are healthy for our future.
FACEBOOK POST #3 BY ANGAD KAUR, FOUNDER OF KUNDALINI YOGA IN CHINA, SHANGHAI
OCTOBER 29, 2022
Ekongkar Kaur, you and SSSC are missing the Most important point: SSSC, KRI, 3HO, and IKYTA have NO legally registered branch office in China, meaning the Chinese Community has nothing to do with SSSC, KRI, 3HO or IKYTA. Any training contract with KRI is an individual business relationship and based on individual freedom. Similarly, voting for the SSSC board is an individual freedom. However, not declaring and paying tax on the teaching fee received from Chinese Community definitely is not complying with the law. It is a criminal case, nothing to do with Religion or Sikh Dharma.
Please read our lawyer's professional legal clarification.
OCTOBER 29, 2022
Ekongkar Kaur, you and SSSC are missing the Most important point: SSSC, KRI, 3HO, and IKYTA have NO legally registered branch office in China, meaning the Chinese Community has nothing to do with SSSC, KRI, 3HO or IKYTA. Any training contract with KRI is an individual business relationship and based on individual freedom. Similarly, voting for the SSSC board is an individual freedom. However, not declaring and paying tax on the teaching fee received from Chinese Community definitely is not complying with the law. It is a criminal case, nothing to do with Religion or Sikh Dharma.
Please read our lawyer's professional legal clarification.