[Stuff] Jathebandhi Fanboys Say

[Mehtab Singh]

I don't deny that the intentions behind the making of this video might be a concern towards how obsessed we've become with the alliances we've formed with our favorite Jathebandis, which is fine. What I don't get is what was the need to portray the usual chores of a GurSikh in a way thats almost close to mockery? Its almost hypocritical because the same people who have their pants on fire each time a Hindu/Muslim makes fun of a Sardar are actually enjoying all this. Don't get me wrong, I am all for humor, but these kind of videos give me an impression of a person (like myself) who probably isn't at a level where he could actually abide by all the Rehits that he tries to make a joke out of. I read through the Singh's clarification rant as well. Good points, well said, however nothing justifies this kind of video. Not only it gives non-Sikhs encouragement to further shoot videos mocking Sikhs (and now may be even Sikh chores), it puts forward the impression that Sikhs themselves mock their faith, they are probably frustrated with what their religion teaches and so they are venting it out by making such videos. I personally found it offensive towards all the 4 kinds of Sikhs he portrayed, including those missionaries who utter nothing but manure. Rather than responding to the venomous propaganda of the missionaries, why mock them? Doesn't it make us look weak and ignorant to answer their questions? Gives them an excuse as well to further taunt us.

Why do I say this? Because unlike you guys I was once a non-Sikh, and if I was a non-Sikh today and saw such a video, the first thing I'd probably do is show this to all Sikhs I knew and tell them how their own folks are mocking their faith, and would enjoy the sight of embarrassment on their faces.

So guys, just a reminder, the Sikhi saroop you carry around with you is not just you, its the representation of the entire Khalsa Panth. Every move you make will be remembered by everyone who sees you. People will forget your face, your name, but will remember what you did and will tell 100 others as to what they saw a Sardar do. Likewise, people will forget this guy's name and face, they will forget all the actions he did and the stuff he said. What they will always remember is they saw a Sikh mock Sikhism, no matter how much you try to justify that it was done in good spirits and light mood.

Here is a response to his video...

Its one thing to laugh at oneself, but something else to become the laughing stock for the world. So please be careful and choose wisely.

For those who enjoyed it, I respect your opinions as well, so no further arguments from my side. Just remember one thing, next time a Hindu/Muslim makes fun of a Sardar, I will be reminding you your laughter towards this video.

And I repeat, I am not going to argue with anyone over this. If you enjoyed it, if it made you laugh, I am happy for you. May Guru Sahib always keep you happy, smiling and laughing.

[Singh559]

I don't deny that the intentions behind the making of this video might be a concern towards how obsessed we've become with the alliances we've formed with our favorite Jathebandis, which is fine. What I don't get is what was the need to portray the usual chores of a GurSikh in a way thats almost close to mockery? Its almost hypocritical because the same people who have their pants on fire each time a Hindu/Muslim makes fun of a Sardar are actually enjoying all this. Don't get me wrong, I am all for humor, but these kind of videos give me an impression of a person who probably isn't at a level where he (like myself) could actually abide by all the Rehits that he tries to make a joke out of. I read through the Singh's clarification rant as well. Good points, well said, however nothing justifies this kind of video. Not only it gives non-Sikhs encouragement to further shoot videos mocking Sikhs (and now may be even Sikh chores), it puts forward the impression that Sikhs themselves mock their faith, they are probably frustrated with what their religion teaches and so they are venting it out by making such videos. I personally found it offensive towards all the 4 kinds of Sikhs he portrayed, including those missionaries who utter nothing but manure. Rather than responding to the venomous propaganda of the missionaries, why mock them? Doesn't it make us look weak and ignorant to answer their questions? Gives them an excuse as well to further taunt us.

Why do I say this? Because unlike you guys I was once a non-Sikh, and if I was a non-Sikh today and saw such a video, the first thing I'd probably do is show this to all Sikhs I knew and tell them how their own folks are mocking their faith, and would enjoy the sight of embarrassment on their faces.

So guys, just a reminder, the Sikhi saroop you carry around with you is not just you, its the representation of the entire Khalsa Panth. Every move you make will be remembered by everyone who sees you. People will forget your face, your name, but will remember what you did and will tell 100 others as to what they saw a Sardar do. Likewise, people will forget this guy's name and face, they will forget all the actions he did and the stuff he said. What they will always remember is they saw a Sikh mock Sikhism, no matter how much you try to justify that it was done in good spirits and light mood.

Here is a response to his video...

Its one thing to laugh at oneself, but something else to become the laughing stock for the world. So please be careful and choose wisely.

For those who enjoyed it, I respect your opinions as well, so no further arguments from my side. Just remember one thing, next time a Hindu/Muslim makes fun of a Sardar, I will be reminding you your laughter towards this video.

And I repeat, I am not going to argue with anyone over this. If you enjoyed it, if it made you laugh, I am happy for you. May Guru Sahib always keep you happy, smiling and laughing.

Hmm, yeah you do have some valid points. Instead of making a humorous satirical video, perhaps another approach to highlight the issues this Singh wanted to would have been better. I can see how the jokes can get carried away with.

[Jonny101]

At first I liked this video but after reading Mahtab Singh Jee's post I have to agree with him. Listen to the Baba on that video posted by Mahtab Singh. We can't make videos like this because it will not only be non Amritdhari Sikhs who see this but even Hindus and Muslims who will see this and think look at how $tupid Sikhi is. I certainly wouldn't want a non Amritdhari or a non Sikh to see this video and get the wrong impression.

[Only five]

This video will not increase the amount of Sikh jokes that get made regularly. This video is to educating the youth that we are one Panth, regardless of the different style dastar or Bana you wear because of your jatha. Many times between the youth they are agruing over the most simplest topics at the Gurdwara. The reason why they are at the Gurdwara is lost in arguing over how many lars your dastar should have or which Bana is correct. In the mean time in the langar hall there is no one to do seva of serving Guru Ka langar to the sangat. Satguru taught us never let anyone go unfullfilled of there wishes from Guru's house. But everyday sangat goes unfillfilled because there is no one to serve Guru ka Langar.

This is how i viewed the video.

[sukhjeevansingh]

imagine a typical aunty/uncle seeing this.. they will laugh at us and mock the maryada we keep or the vichaar we hold. it makes it seems there is no logic behind any of the practises the singhs of any jathebandiya do.. instead it should of been conveyed that this alone is not enough if we do not have the kamai to back it.

[VanHelsingh]

After reading Mehtab Singh's post I do appreciate the other side of the argument as well. Although I do believe the intention of the young Singh was not to mock the various "ways" to be found in Sikhi, I do think he wanted to highlight how much we get lost in the differences rather than uniting over the similarities.

But yes I also agree with the fact that non-Sikhs would view the video and think it's okay to mock us in the same manner. What such people would overlook is that whilst the Singh was doing it in a way to almost teach us a lesson in overcoming our differences, non-Sikhs would do it to hurt our beliefs.

[guruvah]

I don't deny that the intentions behind the making of this video might be a concern towards how obsessed we've become with the alliances we've formed with our favorite Jathebandis, which is fine. What I don't get is what was the need to portray the usual chores of a GurSikh in a way thats almost close to mockery? Its almost hypocritical because the same people who have their pants on fire each time a Hindu/Muslim makes fun of a Sardar are actually enjoying all this. Don't get me wrong, I am all for humor, but these kind of videos give me an impression of a person (like myself) who probably isn't at a level where he could actually abide by all the Rehits that he tries to make a joke out of. I read through the Singh's clarification rant as well. Good points, well said, however nothing justifies this kind of video. Not only it gives non-Sikhs encouragement to further shoot videos mocking Sikhs (and now may be even Sikh chores), it puts forward the impression that Sikhs themselves mock their faith, they are probably frustrated with what their religion teaches and so they are venting it out by making such videos. I personally found it offensive towards all the 4 kinds of Sikhs he portrayed, including those missionaries who utter nothing but manure. Rather than responding to the venomous propaganda of the missionaries, why mock them? Doesn't it make us look weak and ignorant to answer their questions? Gives them an excuse as well to further taunt us.

Why do I say this? Because unlike you guys I was once a non-Sikh, and if I was a non-Sikh today and saw such a video, the first thing I'd probably do is show this to all Sikhs I knew and tell them how their own folks are mocking their faith, and would enjoy the sight of embarrassment on their faces.

So guys, just a reminder, the Sikhi saroop you carry around with you is not just you, its the representation of the entire Khalsa Panth. Every move you make will be remembered by everyone who sees you. People will forget your face, your name, but will remember what you did and will tell 100 others as to what they saw a Sardar do. Likewise, people will forget this guy's name and face, they will forget all the actions he did and the stuff he said. What they will always remember is they saw a Sikh mock Sikhism, no matter how much you try to justify that it was done in good spirits and light mood.

Here is a response to his video...

Its one thing to laugh at oneself, but something else to become the laughing stock for the world. So please be careful and choose wisely.

For those who enjoyed it, I respect your opinions as well, so no further arguments from my side. Just remember one thing, next time a Hindu/Muslim makes fun of a Sardar, I will be reminding you your laughter towards this video.

And I repeat, I am not going to argue with anyone over this. If you enjoyed it, if it made you laugh, I am happy for you. May Guru Sahib always keep you happy, smiling and laughing.

Nice to know that atleast there is 1 person who still has bibek budhi on this forum.

[Paneer Monster]

when you use ACTUAL gurbani / gurmantra then the setting becomes real to a sikh. the singh could have put across his points in another way, without mixing gurbani and gurmantra with jest.