Q: Sikh Gurus gave their lives for people from other religions.
A: Gurus did not give life for “other religions” – to say that is so narrow minded opinion. They gave life for the principles of their good faith. History says that when Guru was going from place to place gathering disciples, all Hindu kings were in fact inviting and welcoming him, none thought it was a “other religion” which he was trying to create otherwise their response could have been different.
Q: Are Sikhism and Hinduism very different? Sikhs in the USA are trying to make their ideitity very separate from the Hindus.
A: Hindus and Sikhs don’t call each other from a “different religion”. But in my short life, I have observed that due to Con-party ruling our country for so long and imposing its ideology, there has been attempt to pitch Sikhism more towards Islam and away from Hinduism – that is also divide and rule politics we should not fall prey to. That is why there have been so many attacks in the US on Sikhs where Americans have mistaken Sikhs for Islamists! This is not what Gurus had ever thought about. We both celebrate each other’s festivals together. And both of us don’t kill cows or don’t kill goats to celebrate Islam’s festivals. But the disturbing trend is different, given ignorance all around.
I strongly feel that in the US where Sikh population is high for example, some effort is needed. I have been waiting for it in news, but a bit disappointed so far, because everywhere I see an effort to pitch Sikhism as “friendly” towards Islam. I know initially it was needed just to prevent Sikhs from hating all Islamists, since so many of their Gurus were persecuted for their faith by Islamic rulers in India, so naturally there should be a resentment. So as a balancing force, it was alright to bring out a friendly picture. But, I think it has been done too much and for too long. Younger generations feel as if Sikhism is very much “like” Islam and it can only cause trouble in the future. These are my personal opinion and of course I don’t have any ill will towards them as we revere and worship Sikh Gurus as our own.
Q: What is wrong in having a separate ideitity for Sikhs; different from Hindus?
A: I think separate identity is fine; Hindus themselves are so diverse and hence there is no harm in calling Sikhism a religion. But all Indian religions and sects are so much interrelated and appear as “one” that if one tries too much to differentiate one from the whole, one can only do it by trying to appear like some foreign faith! As it has happened with respect to islam…
When someone says – “you are no different, you are brother”, I think it is a compliment.
Q: Sikhs have a different marriage act now. It is good to have a separate marriage act; other than being part of Hindu marriage act.
A: I see that Sikhs have a different marriage act now; earlier they were getting registered under “Hindu marriage act” and their leaders said it caused “identity issues in foreign places”. Now I see how systematically “identity” has been taken “away” from Hinduism. And the community is paying the price when Americans mistake them for Muslims.
Btw, what elements of Sikhs’s marriage act are different than Hindu marriage act? If someone can tell. Their males also marry only one woman and women get property rights, just like Hindus and unlike Islamists. So what is the difference?
I read that Pakistan had enacted Sikh’s marriage act earlier in 2007 than India in 2012. India was not able to understand why they should have a different act smile emoticon So going by the facts, one can think that Pakistan is “friend” of Sikhs, since it granted them their separate identity while India is less friendly because it confuses their separate identity smile emoticon Just like our parents told us in childhood – if someone gives you too many toffees and pampers you, be away from him rather than thinking he is a friend.
Q: I think Sikhs having distinct identity is the most important thing.
A: But identity is not everything. E.g. every sect has a separate identity, in all religions and all places. It gives them ease of unity; but it also makes them easy targets (e.g. for persecution from enemies). I think ‘principles’ are almost everything. Most Hindus feel that Hinduism and Sikhism have similar principles; that is all I wanted to say.. because of which I don’t feel or see them different. I read about the new marriage act; I see it asks not to believe in astrology and dowry. Dowry is anyway legally not allowed in Hindus and astrology is left to personal belief; I don’t think it can be banned by “law”. Apart from these points I did not find difference.
Identity is worn over our skin. Principles are attached to our heart and soul. In the end every human has only one true identity – of being a mere mortal. But our principles and values take us above that… I don’t give much importance to identity. For example, a lot of Brahmins don’t wear a sikha or a dhoti to identify them these days wherever they go. I think role of visual identity is always contextual – to serve some purpose at some point of time; so it should not be so rigid that it becomes the soul of the matter itself without practitioners thinking about principles. When Sikhism speaks against astrology for example, it is its “reformer” aspect. Similarly it speaks against caste division, economic bias etc. Because these things bind us and make us ineffective…
All the symbolism in Sikhs’ recommended dress code have some purpose behind those; and each is “secular” in nature. I don’t think Gurus wanted to tell you that you were better or worse (as soon as you say you are ‘different’ comes an associated question – are you better or worse) than people from other faiths. All Indic religions are inclusive than having double standards like foreign religions; i.e. keeping one set of rules for believers and one for nonbelievers. That is why yesterday near our office here, Sikh boys were stopping every bus and vehicle and giving them something to eat and a sarbat to drink – irrespective of their faith..
So identity is fine if it helps you unite; but unity of believers does not mean differentiation with unbelievers. This whole believer unbeliever concept is alien in India…
Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal.
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