Question : – Is Criticism wrong, according to the Gurmat?

Answer : – If ‘criticism’ means ‘fault finding’, then it is wrong. If ‘criticism’ means ‘analysis’, then it may be right. While criticism, we listen or speak. When we criticize someone in sense of ‘fault-finding’, we become ‘Be-mukh’ to the Guru.

The Gurbani has given us a concept of ‘Gosht’. If ‘criticism’ is ‘Gosht’, it can be considered a good thing, but if it turns into ‘vaad-vivaad’, it is not acceptable. See Guru Granth Sahib Ji says: –

‘Baad bibaad Kaahoo sio na keejai.
Rasna Raam rasaayan peejai.‘

(Guru Granth Sahib Ji, page 1164)

If someone did not try to understand your point, you must give up. It is not possible to make everyone agree to your point of view. If you still try, you are bound to lose. If such a situation prevails, then ‘Jithai Bolan Hariyai, Tithai Changee Chup‘ (Where you are bound to lose by speaking, there, you ought to remain silent.)
(Guru Granth Sahib, page 149)

Being a ‘Khoji’ is good, but becoming ‘baadi’ is very bad, because-

‘Khoji upjai, baadi binasai.‘
(The seeker comes forth, and the debater dies down).
(Guru Granth Sahib Ji, page 1255)