A number of Australian Sikh organisations and Sikhs have demanded to investigate and reply to complaints raised by Nihangs about caste-based segregation in Amrit Sanchar in Punjab and other states of India.
A number of Nihang Singh Jathebandis have reached to Sarbat Khalsa appointed Jathedar Jagtar Singh Hawara to complain about the discrimination within the Amrit Sanchar process.
The complaint letter was handed by Baba Charhat Singh, Chief of Nihang Singh Jathebandi International Misl Shiromani Shaheed Baba Sangat Singh Ji and Deputy Jathedar Raja Raj Singh to the members of the Jathedar Hawara Committee during a press conference.
In the complaint letter, Nihang Singh Jathebandi said that during Amrit Sanchar, Majhbi and Ramdassia Singhs are given ‘amrit’ (as part of the Khalsa baptism ceremony) from a separate utensil from Jatt Sikhs.
The representation further notes that in Gurdwara Raja Ram in Dhotian, Mazhabi Sikhs are barred from performing ‘langar sewa’ because “they look dirty.”
According to the maryada bestowed by Guru Sahib, the distinction of caste and creed was erased and the Amrit pahul is administered from the same bowl. Sikhism does not recognise caste and to strive for a casteless society is one of the basic tenets of the faith.
Commenting on this complaint, Jathedar Hawara Committee leaders Advocate Amar Singh Chahal, Prof. Baljinder Singh and Bapu Gurcharan Singh said, “That there is no place for caste-based discrimination in Sikhism, and if such a matter comes to our notice, we persuade them to stop it. We also issue appeals from time to time to follow the Sikh tenets.”
In order to redress this grievance, a committee will be constituted and the concerned denominations will be contacted to bring uniformity in the rites of initiation. The Nihang Singhs have also taken the matter to the World Sikh Parliament. Prof Baljinder Singh said that World Sikh Parliament is a common platform for Sikhs of the world. It can seriously address national issues so we should work to make it stronger.