Columnists
A Minefield Of Hot-Button Issues:
Janam Da Firangee,
Sikhi Mai Mangee
FATEHPAL SINGH TARNEY
I do not like being referred to as a convert to Sikhi, for several reasons.
First, without converts, there would be no Sikh religion to begin with.
Second, I subscribed to Sikh principles long before I knew anything about the religion. For example, as a youngster, I already believed that there was One Universal God for all mankind and that all faiths should respect each other.
I also felt that community service done for all people in need was a good thing.
Recently, I had some rather tense e-mail exchanges with a young lady from my sadh sangat - a person I had a wonderful rapport with for many years. The issue was her inflexibility regarding vegetarianism. I am always concerned when people develop superior attitudes whether about diet or anything else.
I respect strict vegetarians, but am uncomfortable when I am criticized for not being one myself. I am an omnivore with a particular fondness for certain meats, especially bakri atay lela (goat and lamb). I happen to know many amritdharis who are like me.
I have participated in a number of Sikh blogs for many years. I have come to the conclusion that there are at least five hot-button issues that are difficult to discuss:
1 diet – vegetarianism versus meat eating
2 the Dasam Granth
3 the curse of caste practices creeping into the Sikh community
4 Khalistan
5 Khalsa versus non-Khalsa Sikhs
As I see it, the biggest problem is not that there is no resolution to these topics, but that they cannot be discussed cordially without rancor.
Do other Sikhs at times experience these issues in the same way that I do?
It’s as though one is walking through a minefield.
June 30, 2016
Conversation about this article
1: Tony Singh (Canada), June 30, 2016, 7:08 PM.
It seems to me that all religions have followers who interpret their religious requirements differently from one another. So, these arguments are not unique to Sikhi. I believe people's egos get in the way of having a reasonable discussion. I learned a long time ago that arguing about religion or politics is a complete waste of time. To each his own, I say.
2: GJ Singh (Scottsdale, Arizona, USA), June 30, 2016, 8:23 PM.
Unfortunately, in today's world every person has an opinion, whether it is right or wrong, and then there is the internet! As far has having 'bakra', it seems that it was a favorite of Guru Gobind Singh ji. Even today (last time I was there about a decade ago) they serve 'maha parashad' (bakra/bakri meat) langar at one of the gurdwaras near/at Hazoor Sahib. This tradition originates from the time of Guru Sahib.
3: Ajit Singh Batra (Pennsville, New Jersey, USA), June 30, 2016, 9:20 PM.
Basically all religions agree on 'human conduct'. How human beings should behave towards their fellow beings. Sikhism respects other points of view provided they are in conformity with Truth and help a person to realize himself/herself. Our Scriptures are incorporated with hymns of the divine who belonged to different faiths. That is why Sikhi is branded as exponent of universality. Sikhism believes in inner life and not on any particular label. It supplements science and celebrates life.
4: Isher Singh (India), July 01, 2016, 4:13 AM.
Fatehpal Singh ji: In my experience, just like you with blogs, there is one more issue which raises rankles among Sikhs. It is the issue of the length of the "Mool Mantar". All these issues are very superfluous in nature. These issues has been thrown into the Sikh mileu just to cause confusion and disarray, and to get them not to focus on bigger issues which will help Sikhs in the long run. Nobody on these blogs talks about education, proper functioning of SGPC, nobody talks about setting up hospitals, research academies, etc. I am pained when I see the people raising rancour about the issues which you have mentioned but not caring about long-term goals for the community.
5: Sangat Singh (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), July 02, 2016, 1:32 AM.
Fatehpal Singh ji: your writings are always most topical and inspiring. Bhai Vir Singh ji and Principal Satbir Singh ji have mentioned in their books that meat was occasionally served in the langar during Guru Angad Sahib’s time. Dr. I.J. Singh, in his book "Sikhs and Sikhism" states that Guru Granth Sahib is not a "diet chart" or a guide to diet. Guru Hargobind, Guru Har Rai and Guru Gobind Sigh Ji went hunting and the meat was put to good use. Now your sentient but inflexible good satsangi seems to have the last word. My advice to her would be not to take any antibiotic as with one pill she would kill millions of ‘jivis’ without a twinge of remorse. "maas mass kar murakh jhagrre gian dhian nahi jaana" [GGS:1289.15] - ‘Fools argue about flesh and meat but they know not about spiritual wisdom.’
6: Aman (Brampton, Ontario, Canada), July 13, 2016, 11:28 AM.
With respect to eating meat, I think it comes down to "daya". Can you have enough daya not to partake in the taking of life in order to fulfill your appetite? Is it pleasing to you to see a bakra being killed and prepared for simply the taste to your tongue?
7: Dya Singh (Melbourne, Australia), July 15, 2016, 7:05 PM.
I applaud Fatehpal Singh ji for writing about contentious issues amongst Sikhs, especially the 'maas maas ...' mess. It did bring a smile to my face thinking that the religiously committed vegetarians amongst our brothers and sisters will be cringing! I think that greater education about Sikhi is what is needed ... and then let each individual decide one way or the other. As someone has already said, can one envisage a 'bakra' being killed for his/her taste buds? Sangat Singh ji has pointed out some truths from history based on Bhai Sahibs Vir Singh and Principal Satbir Singh. I must have missed IJ's comment about our Guru Sahib not being a 'diet chart' - a rather apt description, me thinks! As for contentious issues - yes, there are numerous but Fatehpal ji's list is a great starting point! Mool Mantar? How long should the Rehras be? Is it sacrilegous to tie our beards? How long should a kachhera be, or even a kirpan? What if you are bald, where do you keep your kanga? Me thinks I am going to draw up an exhaustive list and get readers to add to it. That should be fun!