Let's (JATS) Put Our Act Together Before The Die Is Cast(E)!

For all practical reasons, I have centered this article around Sikhism since I do not consider myself qualified enough to comment on other religions and or communities.

- Prabhloch Singh

Sikhism, as we all know, emerged as a social reform movement started by its founder, Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the 15th Century. Ninth largest religion in the world, it is also one of the youngest of the major world religions.

However, as much as it was aimed at eradicating the caste system, it finds itself struggling to free itself of the social evil. Be it the Punjabi songs that glorify one caste over the others (putt jattaan de ne gabhru), or the matrimonial advertisements seekings matches from, for example, “match invited from Jatt families only”, the evil of caste system seems to be strengthening its spell over a community which is otherwise known for its service to mankind with uniquely human traditions of “Langar”, “Sewa”, etc.

The western world is progressing, and we’re still proudly creating a divide among our people on the basis of their caste. Despite the fact that we all share the same blood, same flesh, and like it or not, we’re all going to land up at the same crematorium.

Sikhs today, especially those in India, are staring at a very unfortunate reality. A reality our Gurus probably never envisioned for the community.