Rabu, 23 Februari 2011

Sikhs cannot be clubbed as Hindus in India, Lesson for Hindus in Pakistan

By PHP Staff
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
(Photo : Map of Bangalore City in Karnataka State in India)

BANGALORE : Government's move to include Sikh religious institutions under the amendment to the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Act, 1997, has not gone down well with the community. Sri Guru Singh Sabha, a Sikh religion organization, has maintained that Sikhism, where idol worship is strictly prohibited, is separate from Hinduism.

"The gurdwaras come under the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1971. Hence, Sikh gurdwaras cannot be clubbed under the KHRICE Act, 1997 and we cannot be clubbed as Hindus," Sabha's general secretary Harminder Singh said.

The amendment to the Act, which was approved by the cabinet on Thursday, considers Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists as Hindus and authorizes the government to scrutinize the accounts and money transactions of these religious organizations. The Jain and Buddhists association have already opposed the government's move.


Introduction : The historical interaction between Sikhism and Hinduism occurred because both were founded on the Indian Subcontinent and have the majority of their followers there.In the days of Mughal oppression, which intensified in the 18th century as the Sikhs openly defied Mughal leadership both local and upward, many Hindu families would offer their firstborn sons to join the Khalsa Army to aid in this cause.

Nanak, was born in a Hindu Khatri family. However, he declared that all are equal in the eyes of God in his famous proclamation "I am not a Hindu, nor am I a Muslim." A unity between Hindus and Muslims under the teachings and revelations of the Guru. The Guru had some familiar and common beliefs as in Hindu concepts like Karma, Dharma, Reincarnation, and meditating on God's name to break the cycle of birth

In 1675 Aurangzeb caused the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur. He had gone to Aurangzeb on behalf of Kashmiri Pandits (Hindus), who requested him to plead against their forceful conversion and as a result Guru Tegh Bahadur is also honored by Hindus and the Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day is also observed by many Hindus.

Also called "Sher-e-Punjab" ("The Lion of the Punjab") (1780–1839) was a Sikh emperor and the founder of Sikh Empire.Ranjit Singh crowned himself as the ruler of Punjab and willed the Koh-i-noor back to its original location at Jagannath Temple in Orissa while on his deathbed in 1839.

Similarities between Hinduism and Sikhism:

1.At the time of the Gurus, most North Indian families would remain "Hindu" while the eldest son was a "Sikh."Hindus enlisting their eldest sons in the Khalsa was done for protection against the Mughals.

2.The notion of dharma, karma, prasad, moksha and a belief in rebirth are very important for many Hindus and Sikhs as they make ethical decisions surrounding birth and death.

Differences between Hinduism and Sikhism:

1.Sikhism is a monotheistic religion; Sikhs believe there is only one God, who has infinite qualities and names. Hinduism is a diverse system of thought with beliefs spanning monotheism, polytheism, panentheism, pantheism, monism and atheism.

2.The Guru Granth Sahib describes many Hindu deities like Shiva and Durga, as false illusions. Sikhs prefer not to worship in Hindu temples or go on Hindu pilgrimages.

3.1509: Guru Nanak's Declaration "I am not a Hindu, nor am I a Muslim" Alah rām kė pind parān.

Differences between Sikhism and specific Hindu traditions

NOTE : The worship of murtis (icons) is an important part of several Hindu traditions, such as Vaishnavism and Shaivism, although some Hindu denominations like Arya Samaj and Satya Mahima Dharma have rejected idol worship. Sikhs do not believe in worship of any sort of physical idol, symbol, picture, or statue.


— "ਦੇਵੀ ਦੇਵਾ ਪੂਜੀਐ ਭਾਈ ਕਿਆ ਮਾਗਉ ਕਿਆ ਦੇਹਿ ॥ ਪਾਹਣੁ ਨੀਰਿ ਪਖਾਲੀਐ ਭਾਈ ਜਲ ਮਹਿ ਬੂਡਹਿ ਤੇਹਿ ॥
O brother, you worship gods and goddesses. What can you ask of them and what can they give to you? O brother, the stones/idols you wash with water sink in water (in other words how could these stones help you cross the ocean of worldly temptations)"
Aad Guru Granth Sahib - page 637

 (Photo : In the Swami Narain Mandir complex in Karachi, Pakistan where a  Hindu community lives, a Gurdwara has been created for the small Sikh community)

Rajesh Pandit (PHP Islambad) : Sikhism can be considered part of Dharmic faith or Indian religion (Hinduism,Jainism and Buddhism) But is completely wrong to say Sikhs are Hindus because Guru Nanak (founder) said clearly that we (Sikhs) are neither Hindus or Muslims. They is agent need to start campaign for awareness among Hindus in Pakistan on this subject.

A.Randhawa (PHP Punjab) :
While presently Sikhs around world are very busy in promoting there distinct identity from Hindus or Hinduism as a religion, The ignorant Hindus in Pakistan still believe that Sikhism is a sect within Hinduism and have allowed Sikhs holy books,pictures to be installed at Hindu mandirs in throwout Pakistan. As a result many foolish Hindus have converted to Sikhism from actual Hinduism.

H.Dayal  (PHP NWFP or Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa) : During 1992 Hindu-Muslim tension due to Babri Mosque issue in India ,there was very harsh reaction in Pakistan and particularly in NWFP, Those days many Hindus either got converted into Islam or Christianity or Sikhism or opted for India. Sikhs in Peshawar have illegally occupied our 3 Hindu temples. I will request to all Hindus in Pakistan please please try to understand that Sikhism is different faith and its wrong to consider as a sect or integral part of Hinduism.

Jetendrra Kattri (PHP Balochistan) : Just in Quetta city a capital for Balochistan, where three Hindu temples have been permanently converted to Gurdwaras or Sikh temples in past 10 years, due to local Hindus who had promoted Sikhism in actual Hindu place of worship. Time has come when Pakistani Hindus should have mutual respects for different faiths like - Islam or Christianity or Sikhism, but not to follow them or convert into it rather should maintain there original Hindu identity.

Krishna Bheel (PHP Sindh) : The Lohana Hindu community in Sindh and rest of Pakistan is currently playing major role in promoting conversation of Hindus into Sikhism by installation of Sikhism at major historical Hindu temples like - Swami Narayan Temple (Build in 1849 by Sindhi Hindus) in Karachi just few years back. The Lohanas who keep their Hindu identity in Sindh are known as Sindhi Lohana. They also found in  Afghanistan, where they still maintain their Hindu religious identity and are known as Lokhathra.

The PHP Team

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