Sikhs & RSS

(A letter from Prof. Abul Qasem, Calcutta) RSS Chief, Balasaheb Deoras made the following statement at a RSS rally in New Delhi on Nov. 7, which we fail to understand. Hence I approach you for your comments. Because you are an expert on Hinduism and what people like Deoras have up their sleeves so far as minorities are concerned. Deoras insisted, “the Sikhs are a part of Hindu society and any contradictory stand was bound to be harmful to the country”. I always thought that Sikhs are not Hindus. Sikhism is a synthesis of Islam & Hinduism. Sikhs are against idol worship and, as far as I know, also eat beef like the dalits & tribals & needless to mention Muslims and Christians. Many of the Sikh gurus are held in equal reverence by Muslims and Sikhs. Baba Farid Gunj Shakkar is a Muslim Sufi saint for Muslims and is known as Farid Baba among the Sikhs. As the story goes, when he died both his Muslim & Sikh disiciples wanted to bury him according to their respective religious customs. However, the dead body was covered with a sheet of, cloth for the night so that the matter may be settled next morning. Whole night disciples from both the communities kept a strict vigil on the dead body of the Saint. Next morning, when the sheet was removed the body was not there, instead lay a heap of roses. Muslims and Sikhs alike believe in this version. Deoras also said: 1) All democratic values, secularism and – socialism were an inherent part of India simply because the Hindus were in the majority. Hence, it was essential for the Hindu majority to be maintained as this alone could protect and preserve national interests & ideals. 2) RSS concept of Hindu consolidation was neither communal nor sectarian nor parochial. 3) Hindus should remain in the majority for the survival and growth of democratic ideas in India. Please explain.