Jan-March 2006 - Institute of Sikh Studies

DILUTION OF SIKH RAHIT MARYADA51misbehaving with ladies and creating halla gulla in public; andd) Tempting Sikh political leaders, for their personal gains, toparticipate in havans and such other Brahminical rites, etc.These efforts are aimed at denigrating the Sikh Maryada andshaking their faith in these institutions. Unfortunately, the presentSikh leaders most of whom are not conversant with Sikh ethos havefailed to understand these tactics. In their lust to share power with theHindu aristocracy for personal benefits, they overlook their evil designs.It is during their shared administration, both in center and state, thatsuch efforts become more prominent. They patronize Deras. Theyeven take part in functions aimed at diluting the Sikh Maryada. Recentstatements of RSS leaders and the revelations made by CBI JointDirector Mr M K Dhar in his book Open Secrets about the role of Sikhleaders stand testimony to their anti-Sikh actions.SIKH IDENTITYSince the Sikhs were expected to carry forward the Sikh Movementfor social and political revolution, Guru Gobind Singh prescribed fivekakars in 1699 to identify them from others. Commitment to wearthem is also part of the Maryada. Merely wearing these kakars is notenough for a Sikh, unless he appreciates and lives by the sidhant behindthem on which is based the whole edifice of Sikh religion. Life basedon this sidhant makes a person of powerful character anddetermination. It helps him to improve his social behaviour, attitudeand dialogue. Majority community ridicules the Sikhs, makes fun ofthem, and presents them before the public through print and electronicmedia as crude, distraught and illiterate persons, thus trying to distractthem from marks of Sikh identity. Those with weak faith in Gurbanibecome easy prey to such efforts without feeling any pangs ofconscience. Kakars without faith in sidhant are like the janeu that GuruNanak Dev refused to wear as he found that the actions of the peoplewearing it did not match the faith for which it was worn. Now ourleaders are using Sikh symbols merely as janeu and people are losingfaith in their leadership. Efforts made by different institutions to restorefaith and symbols have not created the desired effect, as many of thepreachers themselves do not live up to what they preach. Discoursesof most of the missionaries about faith being outdated and