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Casteist politics the bane of Punjab polity says Dal Khalsa

With an aim to search for solutions to various problems confronting the Sikhs, the organization held a conference at Hoshiarpur to have a deeper look at the question of the present state of the caste system prevalent in Sikh society. The occasion was 631st birth anniversary of Bhagat Ravidas.

H S Dhami, a senior leader of the party while addressing the gathering said there was no doubt that our Gurus eradicated this evil, not only from the tenets of the religion but also in practice during their times.  He said this was followed for many a century but gradually, however, the caste system, hitherto dominated by the Brahmins struck the Sikhs in a different garb.   

Former Minister Manjit Singh Calcutta said while earlier it was the Brahmin-dominated system, with passage of time; it became dominated by the feudal class which further degenerated into caste discrimination. He called upon the Sikhs to shun caste system as it was in total contrast to the teachings of Sikh Gurus.  

Satnam Singh, party president said we have to create an atmosphere where all should be considered equal and there would be no exploitation on the basis of caste. KAC convenor and spokesperson Bhai Mohkam Singh and Kanwarpal Singh respectively urged the Sikh leadership to take effective measures to remove all misgivings in the minds of all deprived and underprivileged sections of the society.  

Speakers at today's well attended conference castigated the Sikh political leaders for perpetuating the caste system in both the religious and political domain.  

 Karnail Singh Panjoli, an executive member of the SGPC said it was sad that even the SGPC elections are held on caste lines which are a total contravention of the tenets of Sikhism.  "It is ironic as to how did the Sikh leaders accept this then and it is further tragic that since the last 75 years SGPC, which confabulates with the government, time and again, did not make any attempts to correct the wrong.", he rued. 

Dr G S Dhillon said that the so-called Dalits and other communities would get due respect and honour within the Sikh fold and that they should consolidate their position within the parameters of Sikhism and not goes for other deras and pseudo-cults.

27 February 2008
 

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