Roundtable
Nikki Haley
The Roundtable Open Forum # 32, June 9 - 15
EDITOR
The Rules of the forum are posted here on the right, and need to be followed strictly by all participants.
The following is this week's (June 9 - 15) topic for discussion, which should focus on the questions posed therein:
NIKKI HALEY
Headlines in American newspapers and electronic media are abuzz with stories - and rumours - about Nimrata Nikki Kaur Randhawa Haley. She's the person to beat in the long run to elect the next Governor of the State of South Carolina.
Daughter of Dr. Ajit Singh and Raj Kaur Randhawa, she now lives along with her husband, Michael, in Lexington, South Carolina. They have two children: Rena, 12, and Nalin, 9.
Her detractors are many. Her opponents deride (?!) her for being Sikh. Some Sikhs accuse her of betraying her community by marrying a Methodist and raising their children as Methodists.
[Please see the story currently posted on sikhchic.com - "Nikki Nimrata Kaur Randhawa Haley Runs For U.S. State Governor"].
POINTS TO PONDER
- What are your thoughts on Nikki Haley and her run for U.S. Governorship?
Conversation about this article
1: Gurnam Singh (Boston, MA, U.S.A.), June 09, 2010, 9:22 AM.
Nikki, you must be aware of what Jesus said - "What benefit will it be to you if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?" [Mark 8:36]. You surrendered all the spiritual riches you had. So what if you become governor? Not much of a bargain, is it?
2: K. Singh (Massachusetts, U.S.A.), June 09, 2010, 9:28 AM.
Do people realize how many interfaith marriages there are? If she married out of the faith and religion, is that really an issue? People need to look at what her views are and how she will fit in as governor ...
3: I.J. Singh (New York, U.S.A.), June 09, 2010, 9:38 AM.
This and earlier postings on Nikki Randhawa Haley baffle me. Yes, her parents are Sikh but she is a Methodist Christian by her own choice. If we are to recognize the Sikh roots of someone who once was one but is no longer Sikh, then how is this different from the largely Hindu attitude of classifying all Sikh Gurus as Hindus? After all, many - Guru Nanak, Guru Angad, Guru Amardas and Guru Ramdas certainly - were born in Hindu households. All Gurus had Hindu antecedents somewhere along the line, so should they be forever Hindu? Many of us can trace our roots to Hindu grandparents or one or two steps further back to Hindu or even some Islamic roots. Should most Sikhs now continue to be classified as Hindus? Nikki, by her own decision, is no longer a Sikh; let's respect her choice. It is not a matter of if she is a good Sikh or not but whether she is still a Sikh at all. She has the right to walk away from Sikhi, as does anyone, and she seems to have freely exercised it. We seem to be confusing cultural roots with religious identity - they are not synonymous. Sikhi is not a racial label. It is not the DNA that can be so typed. Or are you celebrating her Indian origin? Then perhaps Bobby Jindal, too, among others, deserve the honor. Don't forget that not every Sikh is a Punjabi or even has remote Punjabi/ Indian connections. Or is it that you admire her conservative Republican politics (or the endorsement of Sarah Palin and the Tea-party crowd) so much? Having said this, I also welcome a Round Table discussion because it can get us into issues that are so often ignored and overlooked. I know that first generation immigrants often confuse religious and cultural labels but we need to parse them more carefully.
4: Gurmeet Kaur (Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.), June 09, 2010, 9:47 AM.
Any human being should be free to choose the spiritual path that befits them and pursue their ambitions. Yes, it would have been really nice to have 'Nikki Kaur' instead of 'Nikki Haley' run for the Governor of a southern state and especially nice if she were married to a visible Sikh and raising Sikh children ... but saying that she sold her soul is going a bit too far. I am finding the other angle a bit humorous as well. Her converting to Christianity, cutting her hair and modifying the name did not apparently take away the 'ragheadedness' away! GOP state senator Jake Knott referred to her as a Raghead. He further said she was pretending to be someone she is not! Ultimately, this is all HIS drama and there is much to learn from it.
5: Sandeep Singh Brar (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), June 09, 2010, 10:00 AM.
I really have no thoughts or interest in her other than hoping that she does not win due to her extreme right wing political beliefs; she is a Tea-Party right wing movement candidate and has been officially endorsed by Sara Palin. That endorsement and her political beliefs make me want to distance myself from Nikki Haley as much as possible. Also, Idon't understand why Sikhs are trying to chase her coat-tails, when she has made a clear and free willed decision to reject the religion of Guru Nanak and follow another religion. Had a quick look at her web, I don't see any mention of the words 'Kaur' or 'Sikh', but I do see, 'the daughter of Indian immigrants' and also, 'attend Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church in Lexington' and 'Currently, Nikki sits on the board for Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church'. Not much more to say, in that regard. There are some pretty amazing and inspiring Sikh role models out there who are following the great religion of Guru Nanak and succeeding in various careers. Those are the folks that I want to bring to my kids' attention as positive role models and living Nishaan Sahibs of the Guru.
6: H.S. Vachoa (U.S.A.), June 09, 2010, 11:58 AM.
Why should we discuss someone's personal life? It was here that I read she is a Sikh and now on this site she is not a Sikh and sikhchic.com makes it a "community roundtable issue"! Shame on sikhchic.com!
7: Chintan Singh (San Jose, U.S.A.), June 09, 2010, 12:03 PM.
I believe we should respect Nikki's choice of converting to another faith, albeit for electoral benefits, and I do not expect her to use "Kaur" as her name if she does not want to. I don't think she has sold her soul in anyway by adopting a different religous path. But, since she has chosen not to follow the Sikh path, I am not sure why we are celebrating her professional success on this site.
8: Taran (London, United Kingdom), June 09, 2010, 1:32 PM.
Very well said, H.S. Vachoa ji. It has no relation to the Sikh community at all.
9: G.C. Singh (U.S.A.), June 09, 2010, 4:28 PM.
Nikki Haley seems to be in no man's land on religion. Sikhs are disappointed that she renounced her proud faith and converted to Christianity after her marriage to a methodist. But some fundamentalist Christians are not convinced about her being 100% Christian and that her conversion is a charade. The whole issue of religion seems to have become controversial due to political overtones.
10: Sahib Singh (Oregon, U.S.A.), June 09, 2010, 4:41 PM.
Frankly, blaming Nikki Haley for the mess around her varying professions of religious faith is like blaming the Palestinians for doing anything or everything to survive, considering the circumstances they are in. How can we blame Nikki for being weak, considering her predicament? She is human. And she is surrounded by a brand of so-called Christians who think that being a Christian is the only way of proving your American credentials. What we need to be discussing is this preposterous situation where in an America which professes adherence to all the wonderful rights and freedoms, its purported dedication to democracy and the separation of state and religion ... and yet, we have this nation of looney tunes who think that being a christian is the end-all and be-all of being an American. They need to wake up and smell the coffee - and discover a world out there of treasures to which they have blinded themselves. Sorry, but my sympathies are with Nikki. I happen to know that she is a Sikh at heart ... and I don't have the heart to criticize her weakness as she caters to the southern pea-brains who surround her in every direction! They want a Christian Governor? They'll get Nikki Kaur, by hook or by crook - they certainly don't deserve her but she'll get to rule the bloody State because it is what she wants. The Good Lord - and he couldn't possibly be Christian - works in mysterious ways! Waheguru!
11: Loveleen Kaur (South Carolina, U.S.A.), June 09, 2010, 5:14 PM.
Sahib ji, I couldn't agree with you more! I used to think that the Muslim fundamentalists out there are nuts. It's still true. But now I have come to realize that our own Christian fundamentalists are nuttier! The Republicans went after Hussain in Iraq with no moral justification whatsoever to do so. Guess what, the next thing they knew - they got a Hussain ruling over them as President! The S.C. Republicans want a Christian Governor? Sahib Singh is right! They're going to one, but she'll be a Kaur inside and out. God has a sense of humour ... and he solely has the ability to straighten out every crooked tail - or tale!
12: H. Singh (San Diego, California, U.S.A.), June 10, 2010, 1:20 AM.
This issue doesn't warrant a roundtable discussion.
13: Dr..Birinder Singh Ahluwalia (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), June 10, 2010, 6:05 AM.
Like in every religion and faith (Sikhs and Sikhism being no different), there are believers who do amazing things and become role models to others in the faith they practice; then there are some who pretend to be believers of a certain faith and do terrible things to bring discredit to their faith; and there are others who simply complain about everything - well, we can go on and on regarding this issue. I wish Nikki a successful and accomplished political career and a happy married life. May Waheguru bless her family and she certainly makes us all proud (her natural Sikh roots and her adoptive Christian ideals) by her achievements.
14: Gur Singh (Boston, MA, U.S.A.), June 10, 2010, 6:40 PM.
The only religion of a politician is power, the rest is pure dramatics. One might need to re-read the 18th pauri of Japji Sahib to understand the truth.
15: Balvir Singh (Mcallen, Texas), June 12, 2010, 3:17 AM.
I think the truth of it is that Nikki is a victim, albeit a very talented and gifted one, of an inferiority complex that pushed her to renounce her very rich and advanced spiritual heritage. Very common thing in the American south.
16: Gurjender Singh (Maryland, U.S.A.), June 12, 2010, 9:36 AM.
Why is sikhchic.com having this discussion about Nikki Haley? I agree with IJ Singh ji, our Gurus never forced anyone to convert to Sikhi. Sikhi is a practical way of life. Just taking birth in a Sikh family does not make one a Sikh unless until that person practices that religion. Many Sikh youth are marrying persons belonging to other faiths. The main reason is simple: that most parents failed to their kids the values of Sikhi. Especially when both parents work, with no time left to teach their kids. We just expect and think that by taking birth and going to the gurdwara for a few hours makes our family Sikh!
17: Ranbir Singh Sandhu (Tracy, California, U.S.A.), June 13, 2010, 8:35 PM.
The discussion so far has been very informative for me. Nikki Haley made her choice, for whatever reasons. If she can understand God through her new faith, good for her. The choice is personal and none of us has any business criticizing her for that. What we need to think about is why so many of our children (and many grown ups too) leave the faith? What is it that we, as families and as a community, are doing wrong? Is there a shortage of role models? Is there lack of opportunity to learn about our own faith? Do we feel uncomfortable and unwelcome in an alien society permeated by a different faith? Are our institutions adequate? Are we effectively reaching out to educate the general public about who we are and why we look different? And what are we doing and should be doing about these and other problems? I believe that God reveals Himself to each of us according to our own level of understanding. If Nikki Haley, or for that matter any member of any religion, lives an honest upright life devoted to God, she is essentially living the Sikh way of life.
18: Sonia Kaur (Australia), June 13, 2010, 11:14 PM.
I read earlier that one of the important goals of this website as per the Editor's notes, is about celebrating Sikhi. This post hardly calls for a celebration ... [Editor: We have other, equally important goals. One of them is to get ourselves to be aware of, and learn to analyze, what is happening around us; to figure out our past mistakes and failures, if any; and to get working on solutions! And there are more ...]
19: R. Singh (Brampton, Ontario, Canada), June 14, 2010, 12:24 PM.
Dear K. Singh, the issue is not about interfaith marriages that take place where people learn to respect multiple faiths and each other's faith, without seeking conversions. It is about abandonment of one in favour of the other, especially AFTER it becomes politically expedient. It is a personal decision, nevertheless. But what kind of model does it project for our kids ... to abandon all for expediency?
20: Sanmeet Kaur (Brampton, Ontario, Canada), June 15, 2010, 10:42 AM.
I agree with Vachoa ji. Nikki Haley is a redundant topic for the Roundtable. I. J Singh ji has elaborated the point beautifully. Nevertheless, this discussion has thrown up a lot of relevant questions that Ranbir Singh ji has so adroitly pointed out. Unfortunately, there are no easy answers. One thing I do know, if you love the Guru, the children see, learn and imbibe that love. It's not about how many times we go to the gurdwara so much as how we are while listening to kirtan, the vaak and all the time we are there, our attitude and behaviour. Hukam, seva, shradhha and shukar are the words that come to mind. It can be truthfully said that anyone who 'lives an honest life' is a 'Sikh at heart.' And one who willfully forgoes her Sikhi stands sans status - 'patit' - in the Guru's court. We wish her the best, but here we must ask ourselves whether our loyalties lie with the Guru or with her, who has forsaken Him?
21: Gurjender Singh (Maryland, U.S.A.), June 16, 2010, 9:19 AM.
I would like to share a comment by a person on CNN political discussion about Nikki Haley: The people of South Carolina would be lucky to have a Sikh represent them. The fact that she is Christian just makes it better. Unlike Muslims that teach that people leaving the faith must be killed, the Sikhs teach tolerance, so she would still be able to associate with other Sikhs and still visit the gurdwara with family and friends.
22: Amarjit Duggal (Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.), June 21, 2010, 3:44 PM.
We are for Nikki at Saabt.org
23: Eri (Lexington, South Carolina, U.S.A.), June 25, 2010, 4:06 PM.
I am not a Sikh or Indian by birth, but I am a Lexington, S.C., Methodist. I have the utmost respect for those who respect their traditions and faith. Those who lie for political gain are simply selling their souls to the devil. Nikki should ask the people of South Carolina to forgive her for her lies. The truth shall come out. The proof of her infidelity is sitting in a file, sorry. Be honest now and you may still get your votes.
24: Helen Rossetti (New Jersey, U.S.A.), June 25, 2010, 5:00 PM.
Eri: I agree with you. And I also fully hope and expect each and every one of those who demanded that Nikki declare her allegiance to Christ - instead of the great religion she hails from - will apologize to all Christians, Americans, Sikhs and the world as a whole. It is a slur on the name of Christ for them to behave so un-Christian-like, that is, to be disrespectful of other faiths, especially one that is not a smidgen less than any of the umpteen denominations we have fragmented into, including Methodism! Eri, I hope you will find a way of passing on this sentiment to all your co-Methodists ... on behalf of a fellow-Christian. Thank you. [My sincerest apologies to all Sikhs, including Nikki Haley and her parents, on behalf of the Christian world! Please forgive us for this pathetic silliness.]