Despite what the Supreme Court of India says, Sikhs are not Hindus. Sikhs have their own religious tenets; we have our own identity, our own places of worship and our own culture. The Supreme Court is worried about minority “secular structure and constitutional democracy” as well as they say “We should guard against making our country akin to a theocratic state based on multi-nationalism. Our concept of secularism, to put it in a nutshell, is that the state will have no religion”
Then they go on to show the biggest failure of Indian secularism “The court said in various codified customary laws like the Hindu Marriage Act, the Hindu Succession Act, the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act and other laws of pre and post-Constitution period, definition of “Hindu” included all sects, sub-sects of Hindu religion, including Sikhs and Jains.”
Being so worried about the secular identity of India, why doesn’t the Court change the name of these acts to “Indian Marriage Act” “the Indian Succession Act”, “the Indian Adoption and Maintenance Act” If Indian judicial system is so worried about secularism, why does it not act to correct the mistakes of past and clean up its act.
I am proud to say I live in the most powerful democracy in the world, a secular nation and yet my religion is recognized by these United States of America. Patriot Act of 2001 (HR 3162), section 1002 recognizes Sikhism as a distinct religion. And Sikhs in America do no ask the US government for special protections or privileges that the Supreme Court of India fears… “Such claims to minority status based on religion would increase in the fond hope of various sections of people getting special protections, privileges and treatment as part of constitutional guarantee,” the court said adding “a claim by one group of citizens would lead to a similar claim by another group and conflict and strife would ensue”.
Supreme Court and the rest of India should know that Sikhs have always given way more than they have taken from India. Even today we feed the Billions, despite the debt the farmers in Punjab are suppressed under.
Dear sirs, when you think of multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious society think of Salad as an analogy, nothing losses its taste, its color or its look in the Salad, but together they make the bowl that holds them look great. Recognize and reward people for who they are, they will not ask for anything but gladly give even more.
3 comments:
I agree with you. I dont know why Hindus want to call Sikhism a sect of hinduism. Our beliefs are so different. I actually got into a heated discussion with a hindu friend of mine over this issue.
Why is Sikhism different from Hinduism? How is Christianity any different either?
Don't we all have gurus deities and apostles and why can't we believe our different beliefs languages and customs all lead us on the similar paths to One and Only Same Infinite?
Are there more than one meaning for Eko Ankar? Is our or their blood of different color?
When will we remove our ego and reach the shore of enlightenment to understand that we are HIS and that HE is in everyone of us.
I come in peace brother. Merry Christmas.
My Anonymous brother, I agree with you that we are no different from each other on a human level but what Sikhs have been fighting for is there place in the world. We need to be recognized for our independent identity and respected for it as equals among other religions of the world.
Peace out!
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