To catapult at the helm of a party, a nation or Panth, you can take the path of Democracy (Parja Tantar), Mobocracy (Gunda Tantar) or Meritocracy (Guun Tantar).

A large number of countries have opted for democracy. Here electors decide upon leaders through an expression of their preference. This system helps to pamper their ego. But in an indigent and unlettered country like ours, this fails to sub-serve their interests. Nearly half of electors rate poorly the value of vote.So they don't feel inclined to participate in the election process. The other half are glad to sell their right against fish-chicken curries, foreign- liquor jaunts and green-note tenders; the hard nuts are cracked with lathi blows and gun shots. In result, a few thousand manipulators seize power and ride roughshod over the hearts of voters. Once in saddle, they dump interests of their countrymen in the back yard and use this opportunity to fill their coffers to the hilt. No wonder, across half the century of our independence, they have been taking turns to rule over the destiny of more than one billion.

In pursuit of their self-interest, they have totally mismanaged the country's affairs. Even now, nearly one third of fellow citizens don't get two square meals and a large number die on account of starvation, cunningly labeled 'malnutrition deaths' by govt. agencies. This system surely cannot herald 'Hameli Raj' dreamt of by our gurus.

Other option is 'Mobocracy'. A brute gangs up a few thousands and attacks a village, a region or a country. He forcibly appropriates people's properties, enslaves young men and women and sells them in foreign markets. He savagely rules over the destiny of captives. Guru Nanak was an eyewitness to such a slaughter and pillage by Babar's forces at Amenabad. He provides a graphic account of this painful event. He succinctly records-

Bringing the marriage party of sin, Babar has hastened from Kabul and demands perforce gift of land etc, O Lalo. Modesty and rightness both have vanished and falsehood moves about as leader, O, Lalo. (GGS.722)

Army Commander of a neighboring country usurps powers in this manner and externs the lawfully elected Prime Minister. Currently, much against the world opinion and UNO concerns, USA attacks Iraq with full force and seizes control over its territory, resources and destiny. Such a tyrant is law unto himself. His dictates are absolute and indisputable. Our 5th Guru was tortured to death, 6th was lacerated in Gwalior jail, 8th was troubled to no end, 9th was beheaded in full public view, and 10th was stabbed to death after murdering his mother and four sons (including two who were bricked alive), by persons acquiring power through mobocracy. Deputies of such despots submitted thousands of Sikhs to heinous manner of torture. Hence, this system is most abominable. Surely, gurmat does not sanction this 'gunda rule'.

Sikh gurus dismissed both democracy and mobocracy. Instead, they opted for meritocracy. In picking up their successors, they chose the most worthy, even ignoring their family members and thus antagonizing them. What merit was sought in a new incumbent?

Guru Nanak largely demonstrates this in the search of his successor.

One day in a queer make up and bizarre dress he throws silver and gold coins before Sikhs and moves on. Most of them stay back collecting dhan (wealth). The Guru berates, insults and reviles the rest. In this manner, he attempts to hurt their mann (ego). They discard the Guru considering him unworthy of their devotion. Still five cling to him. As a last move, the Guru gives a lathi blow to Bhai Lehna's (some say Bhai Buddha's) head which bleeds profusely.

Apprehending a mortal danger to their life, all the four run away. Their first thought was to protect their tan (body). Bhai Lehna stays put with his bleeding head. He negates all temptations for "tan, mann, dhan'. In this manner, he passes the test and is bestowed gur-gaddi as 2nd Nanak. Guru Nanak sets his criteria very succinctly in the following verse-

If thou yearn to play the game of love, step on to my path with thy head placed on the palm of thy hand. (GGS.1412)

So the first requirement of a person seeking to serve the Panth is to abandon all attachment to 'money-power-person.' All gurus applied this standard test in appointing their successors.

But an individual howsoever upright is at times apt to succumb to temptations. For that reason, Guru Nanak conferred Panthic leadership on a Group of Five, each satisfying the above qualifying factors. He settled that only meritorious should lead Sikhs, that they should be Five (panch samay) and that they should be true sewaks of gurmat (gurmat payak). He said-

He alone who is worthy of throne, sits on the throne. He has merits of five and is a true servant of Lord. (GGS.1039)

He reiterates this Concept of Five in 'Jap ji Sahib', recited daily by Sikhs. He uses the word 'panch'. In Sanskrit this means 'vast, unlimited, measureless' Hence when we say 'Panch mein parmeshar', we mean that God permeates this vast Universe. But in gurbani 'panch' commends Five. Jap ji Sahib recounts those who listen (suniaye) to Guru (poaris 8 to 11) and those who accept (maniye) Guru's words (poaris 12 to 15). The Guru ordains that out of the listeners we should select those who accept Gurbani and out of the latter we should pick up Five who meet the tests described above. Emphasizing in the next poari (16) the Concept of Five, Guru Nanak elaborates-

The Five are accepted, and the Five are supreme. The Five obtain honour in the Lord's court. These Five look benefactors of the court of kings. The chosen centre of their attention is Oneness. (GGS.3)

Guru ji clarifies that the secret (gur) of success of these Five shall be the constant awareness (dhyan) that they are one in body, mind and action - panchan ka gur ek dhyan. They are equal in station. They are one, their decisions are unanimous and their actions are in the best interest of Panth. It is said that all the gurus nominated a band of Five Advisers to assist them.

When the 10th Nanak (Guru Gobind Singh) on the Baisakhi of 1699 demands heads of five Sikhs, he is just putting to test what he has been preaching during the past two hundred and thirty years – come to me with your head on your palm. Likewise, when he demands only five heads, neither less nor more, he is merely restating the Concept of Five, laid down by him in his first incarnation.

Before passing on gur-gaddi to Panth (Granth Guru, Panth Guru), he devoted enough time and labour to deeply hone in the Concept of Five in Sikh psyche. Hopefully, they could as a matter of course accept the leadership of Five. In obedience to this doctrine, the Tenth Master himself received baptism at the hands of these Five for joining the ranks of khalsa. That is why he left the fortress of Chamkor at their bidding (much against his preference to lay down his life along with forty muktas); he cheerfully received their reprimand when he meaningfully casts his arrow towards the tomb of a fakir (salutation to a tomb is disallowed in panthic maryada); he instructed Banda Singh Bahadur to always follow the advice of Five Beloved sent along with him. These Five, wherever and whenever so chosen, were able to keep Panth united and in high spirit during the darkest period of Sikh history. Thereafter, at some unclear stage and for unknown reasons, this Concept of Five lost its luster and primacy. Now, they are paid a sort of lip service at ceremonial occasions. What went wrong and how?

Doom dawned when Sikhs accepted vote- system and government supervision to manage their gurdwaras and religious affairs. This allowed the ugly practices of sham democracy to sneak into Gurdwara matters. Importing such an immoral system in matters religious was most irreligious. No wonder, greedy, immoral, and irreligious persons snatched power and totally mismanaged the affairs.It is a shame to record that the managing committee of one takht was suspended by government for alleged embezzlement of millions of rupees, head of another takht was involved in siphoning off a large chunk of gurdwara funds, and that of a third takht was charged with the murder of his daughter-in -law. These are the high moral pedestals on which our lofty religious leaders stand exposed and condemned. It is not worth talking of lesser operators. In fact, the evil of vote snatching by hook or crook has seeped deeply in gurdwara management. These unsightly episodes are repeated at elections of many a local gurdwaras when swords are flashed and turbans are trampled upon. In a number of cases, in India and abroad, the matters have been dragged to courts. What a mess of our dignity and self-respect! Panth has no future in election game. Yes, of course, our fraudulent leaders have. Our gurus never recommended elected leadership. How do we introduce meritocracy of their concept?

First, we should totally disown Gurdwara Management Acts and regain freedom to manage our religious affairs without govt. interference. I don't know whether any other religion has invited such a control by government.

Second, we should re-introduce the Concept of Five and the selection criteria presented to us by our Gurus.

To implement this:-

At each local gurdwara, only such persons should come forward to serve as can exhibit the credentials asked for by Guru Nanak.

Accept thy death first, abandon the hope of life and be dust of feet of all; then alone come thou to me. (GGS102)

There should be no membership restrictions, no voting rights and no limit on the number of persons coming forward to serve.
The outgoing Five should scrutinize and short-list the names of eligible candidates.
Slips bearing names of these persons should be submitted to GGS and five slips picked up from a rotating drum. (Such a procedure shall trustfully not provide scope for manipulation since a Spiritual Authority (GGS) who is beyond influence and machination, would in fact direct the selection). The five selected should serve for a period of five years.
Five Beloved from each of the gurdwaras world over should constitute 'Sarbat khalsa. They should assemble and select Five Beloved from amongst themselves by the slip system mentioned above. If necessary, the existing five takhts can provide regional leadership and select Five Beloved in the above-said manner.
The 'Sarbat Khalsa' should meet once /twice a year and debate Panthic matters, under the guidance of Five Beloved and exercise legislative functions.
The Five Beloved at the apex level shall exercise administrative and judicial powers and take steps to implement the resolutions of Sarbat Khalsa. They can solicit the advice of subject specialists, whenever so needed. Their decisions should always be unanimous.

I suggest reversion to meritocracy and recommend resurrection of the Concept of Five as envisaged by our Gurus. I submit this, a sort of 'approach paper', for serious debate and open discussion by your readers and the entire Khalsa Panth. Details can be worked out later.