The Curse Of Casteism Among Sikhs

[Guest G.Kaur]

Jan’03

The Curse of Casteism among Sikhs

SB Surinder Singh*

For an odd reason, 1st June remains ingrained in the recesses of my memory. My

colleagues and I had taken a flight back to Mumbai after finishing a project for our clients

at Jamnagar. I was absorbed in a magazine, when suddenly one of my colleagues sitting

next to me interrupted and brought to my attention the newspaper he was going through.

It was the Midday, a daily newspaper released from Mumbai. The news item, he pointed

to, shocked me. On the front page was the photo of a Sikh family with a screaming

headline. A member of a Sikh family had murdered the whole family of their son-in-law

because he had married their daughter into a different caste!

My colleague who was going through the report commented "Arey tu to bolta tha ki

Sikhon mein koyi jaat paat nahi hai, phir yeh kya hai? (you said that there is no caste

system in Sikhism, then what is this?) I had no reply. I always took pride in the true

principles inherent in Gurmat. But at his question the only answer that came to my mind

was: "These people can’t be Sikhs, since Sikhs are said to be true to the Guru when

they live the Maryada (code of principle). If they violate this, they are liable to expulsion.

Rahinee rahey soey Sikh mera.

It was horrible reading the news article. I reached my residence and waited to hear ‘INMumbai’

news, a local satellite news channel, and as I expected, it made the news

headline. It was saddening! The worst part of it was that the two ladies from the girl’s

family shown on the news were totally unrepentant at having committed such a heinous

act. On the contrary they were actually proud of their feat!

According to the Sikh Code of Conduct, Clause XVIII clearly specifies that "a Sikh should

marry a Sikh", which means the young couple had done nothing wrong, but acted within

the prescribed codes of Sikhism. These very people, who sat in judgement on the young

couple, are the ones who quote Nanak Naam chardi kala terey bhane sarbat da bhala

(With the name of Almighty, we wish well of the whole Galaxy), but is this what they

mean by ‘Sarbat da bhala’?

The entire Sikh community criticised this dastardly act at that time, but that hasn’t

changed the mindset of the community. People condemned this dastardly act for a few

days, but today again such incidents are continuing (Recently, a person of high standing

in the community was suspected of having killed her daughter for having married against

her wishes). In every house, one finds that the parents from one caste are against

marrying their sons or daughters into another caste, no matter how perfect the match

may be. For them the qualities of a person do not matter, what matters is the caste.

They prefer to tie the knot with a person belonging to the same caste even if it means

compromising on the qualities they were looking for, when looking for a match. I don’t

know how caste plays a role in Sikh marriages, since even after the marriage, the

couples would still be belonging to the same religion, bow towards the same Guru, follow

the same principles, culture, tradition, and above all walk on the same path as shown by

our Gurus.

We are all aware that caste is not what makes a human being good or bad and casteism

is nothing but false pride and forced impulsion on society.

Wasn’t Sikhism supposed to be above casteism? In fact, disregard for casteism was one

of the basic foundations of Sikhism. Why do we adopt only those principles, which are a

balm to our ego and conveniently forget the others?

There are several quotes from Gurbani about casteism. Gurbani says of people who live

under the darkness of this false pride:

No one should be proud of his caste.

He alone is a Brahmin who knows God.

Do not be proud of your social class and status, you ignorant fool!

So much sin and corruption comes from this pride.

Everyone says that there are four castes, four social classes.

They all emanate from the drop of God’s Seed. The entire universe is made of

the same clay.

The Potter has shaped it into all sorts of vessels.

The five elements join together, to make up the form of the human body.

Who can say which is less (inferior or bad), and which is more? (Superior or

good)

Says Nanak, this soul is bound by its actions.

Without meeting the True Guru, it is not liberated. (M-3, SGGS-1128)

Reciting the Almighty’s Name is the only caste one has to follow:

The holy Name is my caste, the Name is my honour, and the Name is my family

(M-5, SGGS 713).

Even in daily Sodar we all read or hear this quote:

Those who forget their Lord and Master are vile and despicable. O Nanak,

without the Name, they are wretched outcasts. (M-1, SGGS 10)

Sikh history is full of lessons for us, which we feel proud of, and with great delight we

share these with others. But when it comes to implementing them in our own lives, we

prefer to skirt it. This is not the case only with those who are spiritually ignorant or

disbelievers, but very much common among those who are well known for their

religiousness and community service. In fact, the greater their standing in the

community, the more rigid they are in their attitudes. This rigidness, if employed on the

Path of God, leaving aside egoism and false dignity and pride, would bear more fruits.

Even Amrithdharis are major contributors to this sad state of affairs. On one hand, they

proudly claim to be members of the Khalsa family and don’t believe in castes, since they

partook the Amrit from the same bowl irrespective of the religion, caste, creed, colour,

sex, name, fame, wealth; drank the same nectar shared by others, and thus belong to

one family; but on the other hand, when it actually comes to practising these principles,

they shy away. They should never forget their Amrit Sanskar ceremony, when the five

Beloved’s gave them the amrit (nectar) and said that "from now onwards your Dharam

Nash, Kul Nash and Karam Nash" (i.e., from today onwards, whatever religion you

belong to is destroyed, whatever generation you belong to is destroyed, whatever karam

you had done is destroyed). Now you belong to the Sikh Dharam, one family headed by

father Guru Gobind Singhji and Mother Mata Sahib Kaurji. But these words do not make

much impact on their minds. They are proud to claim themselves as Sikhs, but in reality

are they really Sikhs?

Sikh history educates us on a lot of things in our lives. The Guru himself had shown us

examples by implementing them. What could be a better example than the Vaisakhi day

in the year 1699 when Bhai Daya Ram, belonging to the Khatri Caste, Bhai Dharam

Chand, a Jat, Mohkam Chand, a Washerman, Himmat Rai, a potter and Sahib Chand, a

Barber, were renamed Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai

Mohkam Singh, Bhai Sahib Singh, removing Chand, Ram, Das from their names. They

were converted into members of one community with no caste and creed. Not only that,

the Guru himself bowed before them and requested them to include him in them. What a

great honour to be a member of such a family where the Tenth Master is head of our

own family.

But it is very sad that we haven’t learnt anything from these facts, our history is just

going in vain. We keep celebrating the Purabs blindly, without ever following the

messages of the Gurus. We merely repeat the words passed on by them and profess to

be emulating the path shown by them, but the reality is quite different! We are trapped

by our egos and allow it to rule over us.

Anyone who believes in Jaat-Paat cannot be a true Sikh, for the castes only relate to the

bodies not the self, the soul and the spirit. Gurbani compares the pride of caste with

poison. Since the poison’s job is to kill, whosoever tastes the poison of pride of caste

dies in spiritual blindness and suffers as a result.

What good is in the caste? Truthfulness is measured within. Pride in one’s status

is like poison— holding it in your hand and eating it, you shall die. (M-3, SGGS 142)

Also said,

Without the Naam, all are low class, like maggots in manure. (M-3, SGGS 426)

Gurbani talks about the sants who came from so-called "low caste" families, but through

Naam, they all attained the Supreme - Namdev, a calico printer, Kabir, a weaver by

caste, Ravidas the cobbler, Sain, a barber, Dhanna, the farmer - they all became worthy

of praise with their dedication to the Path of God. On the one hand we whole-heartedly

bow before Guru Granth Sahibji, the Shabad Guru, whom we consider our Guru, but

when it comes to respecting people for their individuality by rising above the pettiness of

caste and creed, it is something incomprehensible. Just think before bowing towards this

sacred granth whether we are following the contents of it or just for the sake are we

bowing to get ourselves satisfied for materialistic benefits?

Nanak seeks the company of the lowest of the low class, the very lowest of the

low. Why should he try to compete with the great? In that place where the lowly

are cared for—there, the Blessings of Your Glance of Grace rain down. (M-1,

SGGS 15)

For years we have been hearing that a man is not high or low on the basis of his family

of birth, material wealth, name, fame, power, education, knowledge, etc., Who is low or

high depends solely on one’s deeds and how he lives his life. For example, by merely

taking birth in a so-called Sikh or a Brahmin family, one does not become a Sikh or a

Brahmin. If both of them act with material consciousness, they are not any better than a

so-called Shoodra (low caste beings). In fact, according to Gurbani, one is not even

qualified to be called a human being just because by virtue of being in a human form.

They belong to the human species, but they act like animals (SGGS 267).

As said by well known Muslim Sufi poet, Saain Bulhe Shah:

Uthe amlaan te hone te niberhe kise naheen teri jaat puchhnee:

There, you will be judged by what you practice, not by your caste or social class

Aren’t these people narrowing their vision in getting much better match just by insisting

false caste-line of Brahmansim rather than widening their vision and looking for the more

perfect match for their children. I really congratulate those parents who have set

examples and showed their coming generations that yes we don’t have any caste-bar

line and are not following the forces of brahmanism.

As said, Bharam bhek tey rahey niyara so khalas satguru hamara

Just four years back, we celebrated the tercenetary of Khalsa Panth, indeed a perfect

example of Sikhs as one community, but have we learned anything from these purabs or

have they just remained mere celebrations out of habit formed by years of routine

celebrations?

Years and years have passed in mere celebration of gurpurabs without any real

prestige! When are we going to learn?

When are we going to follow the principles of Sikhism in its true Spirit? When are we

going to set an example of ourselves for others to emulate?

These questions can be answered only by the younger generation who can do this and

can set an example for the future generations and spread the fragrance of Sikhi. They

can convey to the society and their parents that there is no caste bar in Sikhism, we

don’t believe in it and this is what our Gurbani teaches us, we are just going to implent

these and fulfill the Rehat maryada and create an example in our family by removing

false caste line of brahanism system from the Sikh religion which has been enforced on

for long. Today, we have drifted far away from what our Gurus had taught.

Let’s all of us celebrate the coming Gurpurab by making a promise with our soul and to

God that we won’t entertain any caste. We are indeed from a casteless society, as

proclaimed by our Tenth Master.

Manas ki jaat sabhai ekai penchabhoo

Recognize the caste of all mankind as One.

* F-3/B-1, Sector 9. Vashi, New Mumbai. 400 703. Email: sbsurindersingh@#

www.sikhreview.org January 2003 Edition

[sikh182]

god... well any person who would do that is no sikh

[akitosforever]

I think We lay Too much Emphasize on the On physiacal Appearance these day and Note Who is trimming and Who is Nt rather than Being true Sikhs and Following Basic Principles OF Sikhism and Then Disputing over the Physical Appearance ..SIKH SNGAT Nu BINTI HAI KI APNE AAP WICH JAAT PAAT Di BHAVNA NU KHATAM KARAN and Then claim ur self to be GURMUKHS.

NT JUst Wearing a Turban and Beard DOES NT MAKE YOU A TRUE SIKH

[_K_]

NT JUst Wearing a Turban  and Beard DOES NT MAKE YOU A TRUE SIKH

159691[/snapback]

:TH: very true...i mean take a look at these wierdo giannis, these wannabe Gurus...

[randip singh]

Unfortunately Jatts and Tarkhans are solely responsible today for caste/racial problems amongst Sikhs.

One of the problems we have is the social set up of arraged marriages. this ensures people will only get married within caste.

The Mona's do not have any of these hang ups and go out with whom they please and marry whom they please......that will ensure most surely the downfall of caste. Infact Hindu's are not as strict on caste and "Sikhs".

As a person married out of caste/race...whatever you wish to call it, I went through tons of crap. So did my wife. End of the day we had no problem marrying at the Gurudwara, despite both our families initially objecting...............so their is some hope.

Also note in the old days Brahmins used to carry out marriage services (even in the early days of Sikhism amongst Siks), and they refused to marry people out of caste ..................so ineffect you could not mary out of caste. The Anand Karaj ceremony removed this restriction.

I think the institutions to remove castism/racism amonst Sikhs is there.........it just needs people to apply them.

[x_suman_x]

Unfortunately Jatts and Tarkhans are solely responsible today for caste/racial problems amongst Sikhs.

not necessarily tru bhaji

its the whole kaum's fault

[Pakandi baba]

Unfortunately Jatts and Tarkhans are solely responsible today for caste/racial problems amongst Sikhs.

not necessarily tru bhaji

its the whole kaum's fault

It's us imbeciles who allow it to occur! Many elders believe in it and it's not right, they choose not to accept it.

Unfortunately Jatts and Tarkhans are solely responsible today for caste/racial problems amongst Sikhs.

One of the problems we have is the social set up of arraged marriages. this ensures people will only get married within caste.

The Mona's do not have any of these hang ups and go out with whom they please and marry whom they please......that will ensure most surely the downfall of caste. Infact Hindu's are not as strict on caste and "Sikhs".

As a person married out of caste/race...whatever you wish to call it, I went through tons of crap. So did my wife. End of the day we had no problem marrying at the Gurudwara, despite both our families initially objecting...............so their is some hope.

Also note in the old days Brahmins used to carry out marriage services (even in the early days of Sikhism amongst Siks), and they refused to marry people out of caste ..................so ineffect you could not mary out of caste. The Anand Karaj ceremony removed this restriction.

I think the institutions to remove castism/racism amonst Sikhs is there.........it just needs people to apply them.

I sincerely believe if we didn't live amongst the hindus today, we'd not be involved in Jaat paat as we do! They have a large influence on us!

[koonergs]

Its not only jatts and tarkhans but also the bhappa group

At our Gurudwara there were bhappa people in the managing comitee who used to shoo off people from other groups by saying " anphur bhappa Pureh likhay de saamne, pureha hoiaa bhappa Rabh de samne" this translates into uneducated bhappa opposite educated person, educated bhappa opposite God"

[Lionchild]

As a person married out of caste/race...whatever you wish to call it, I went through tons of crap. So did my wife. End of the day we had no problem marrying at the Gurudwara, despite both our families initially objecting...............so their is some hope.

Inspiration... that's just ...wow.

Must have ben quite a shock when you broke the news...

[randip singh]

I sincerely believe if we didn't live amongst the hindus today, we'd not be involved in Jaat paat as we do! They have a large influence on us!

The Hindu's believe in caste less than us Sikhs... ....thats another fact we Sikhs should be ashamed of.