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Sikhism -a Faith of Tolerance and
Respect for All
Ajit Singh
Sahota
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World Sikh News
presented its viewpoint in an Opinion piece (dated 14 May 2008)
and an Op-ed piece (dated 27 May, 2008) categorically expressing
disapproval of the role of the school authorities, who are
otherwise engaged in a mammoth movement of education revolution
in the Punjab. World Sikh News has received commendation and
reviews from its readers. We present some of them here with the
hope that many more would write in and that Sikhism will not be
allowed to go astray. Saner elements within the community should
begin a dialogue with the organisers and hopefully better sense
will prevail. |
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Your open letter
on the
Akal Academy's dress code is very good and is in accordance with
Sikh History and teachings of Guru Granth Sahib.
The World Sikh
Organization (WSO) has expressed concern over the decision of the
Akal
Academy
in Punjab to force non-Sikh students to wear turbans -an essential
part of the Sikh identity. Sikhism is a faith of tolerance and
respect for all others. “Freedom of religion and freedom of speech
are cornerstones of the Sikh faith said,” Ram Raghbir Singh Chahal,
WSO’s International President.
In 1675, the
ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, in continuing the
unwavering stance of the preceding Sikh Gurus against religious
intolerance, sacrificed his life defending the right of non-Sikhs to
practice their faith freely. Sikhs throughout history have been
guided by this devotion to the principles of religious freedom and
have not forced their beliefs onto others. In fact, they have worked
and fought to defend the rights of all others to believe and
practice as they wish.
“The sanctity of
our religious scriptures should be preserved rather than the brick
walls of a school,” said, Gian Singh Sandhu, WSO’s Senior Policy
Advisor.
WSO urges the
management of the
Akal Academy to
reconsider its decision in the light of Sikh principles and to
ensure that freedom of religion and expression are enshrined in its
curriculum and practices, as required by the Sikh faith.
Brahmins banned
all low castes from their Mandirs and from the vicinity of the
Brahmin’s living quarters. Muslims barred all non-Muslims from Mecca
Madina, and no one can build their worship place in many Muslim
countries. Many other religions have built their own cocoons. Even
some non-believers like Communists became enemies of believers. The
Sikh Gurus prayed for the welfare of all. Sarbat da Bhalla is
the clarion call of the Gurus and has to be the call of all
well-meaning Sikhs. No Sikh, claiming to be a Sikh, is expected to
disregard the teachings of Guru Sahibs. Guru Angad Sahib has
clearly said,
badhhaa chattee jo bharae naa gun
naa oupakaar ||
Paying a fine
(or doing a deed) under pressure, does not bring either merit or
goodness.
saethee khusee savaareeai naanak kaaraj saar ||3||
That alone is a good deed, O Nanak, which is done by one's own
free will. ||3|| (Guru Granth Sahib, page 787)
There has to be
full accommodation for non-Sikhs in a
Sikh School
because Sikhs
 are
neither Brahmans, nor Muslims nor French nor Communists.
Ajit Singh
Sahota serves as Director of Administration of the World Sikh
Organisation. He is a former president of the body formed in 1984 in
the aftermath of the genocidal acts of India.
He may be contacted at
wsopanth@gmail.com. To know more about this organization
based in
Canada,
log on to
www.worldsikh.org.
28
May,
2008
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