Bangalore: The premier English weekly of the Sikhs, the Spokesman, published from Chandigarh in its July 2003 monthly issue has an article by Mohinder Singh Chachrari on the June 3, 2003 Talhan caste clashes between Jat Sikhs and Dalits in the village Talhan, near Jalandhar, fully confirming the different criticisms we made in our signed article (DV July 1, 2003 p.5: “Blot on Sikhism: Jalandhar clash proves hinduisation of a revolutionary religion”).
Though we daily receive several emails from upper caste Sikhs, we are sorry to note we did not get one condemning the Talhan Jat Sikh atrocities on Dalits though the incident attracted country-wide attention and brought a shame on the revolutionary Sikh religion. But we are happy that the Spokesmaii has published an article, “Lessons that can be learnt from the Talhan episode”, admitting serious lapses on the part of the Sikh religion. Such an admission of the mistake is very important before trying to correct the mistake. The Hindus never admit their mistakes. When the mistake itself is not admitted where is the question of correcting it?
The Spokesman article says:
Gurdwaras are the centres of Sikhi. But our gurdwaras too have badly fallen prey to casteism. Guru Sahib, by abolishing the caste system, had created gurdwaras which were common to all castes and classes of people. But today even gurdwaras are being constructed in the names of different castes. In about 10,000 villages out of a total of 12,780 villages in Punjab, there are separate gurdwaras for the Dalits. In about 650 towns and cities, out of a total of 1200 in Punjab, there exist separate Namdev Bhawans, Ravida’s temples, Vishwakarma temples etc. the construction of “Vishwa Karma Gurdwaras” by a section of the Ramgarhia class also shows our decline, although the Brahmin-created god Vishwakarma has not the remotest connection with Sikhism. In prominent Nihang organisations, Budha Dal and Tarna Dal, there are caste-based platoons. These platoons recruit new members from their own respective castes. In the Nihang Dals too, amritis was administered on the basis of caste. In the pangat maryada (practice of taking food in a gurdwara) too, there are indications of it being changed on the basis of caste. Dalits are prevented from doing sewa in the langar Nanaksar people are very strict on this issue. They hesitate even to let the Dalits sit in pangat (rows).
Caste within SGPC: In SGPC, which came into being because of the sacrifices made during the Gurdwara Reform Movement, there is reservation of seats based on caste. In this connection, there is a caste-based quota of its members. While enrolling voters for the gurdwara elections, special care is taken to see that majority of SGPC members are elected from the Jat community. In Sikh society marriages are performed more based on caste affiliations than as per the principles of Gurmat. Caste and subcaste are regarded as the basis of arranging matrimonial alliances. in marriages, influence of caste * is so powerful that no Sikh of (so-called) high caste is ready to marry a Dalit. Brahmin- spread caste system exercises such a deep influence on the Sikh society that it continues even after one’s death. Almost in every Punjab village, there are separate cremation grounds for the Dalits.
Taking advantage of casteism prevalent in the Sikh society, many sects which have separated themselves from the Sikh mainstream, like (pseudo) Nirankaris, 4 Radhasoamis, Namdharis, Sacha Sauda people etc., are – thriving on their following among the Dalits. If discrimination against the Dalits is ended, then these sects which are inflicting a body blow on Sikh mainstream will themselves come to grief. Concerted and continuous efforts are needed to end casteism in the Sikh society. in this connection, closing of caste-based gurdwaras can prove to be quite useful.
Role of the Spokesman: Sikhism, along with Islam and Christianity, are the three egalitarian religions very much responsible for the liberation of the Dalits, Tribals, Backward Castes. But this is an old story. Caste has crept into these religions and gradually they are getting hinduised. Our debate on ” Slow death of Sikhism” has brought out the dark side of Sikhism.
The Spokesman can play an important role in checkmg this drift. its frank admission of the mistake is a first step in this direction
