Jun 22, 2005 07:51 PM
7853 Views
(Updated Jun 26, 2005 12:52 PM)
Mr. Pritam Singh and his family are Sikhs ! Why then they were seen to be involved in Hindu celebrations and rituals ?
I think it is an insult to the Sikhs all over the world for a Sikh family to actually worship the idols - a practice which was strictly disallowed in the Sikh Philosophy.
Take an example: -
''Why call Shiv God and why speak of Brahma as God ? God is not Ram Chander, Krishan, or Vishnu whom ye suppose to be the lords of the world. Sukhdev, Prasar, and Vyas erred in abandoning the One God and worshipping many gods. All have set up false religions. I, in every way, believe that there is but One God.''
(Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji - Swaya-XV)
Take another example: -
''The Sikhs worship only one Almighty God in His abstract form. They are not allowed to worship any idols, images or photographs.''
(Introduction to Sikhism - https://allaboutsikhs.com)
Sikhs are not Hindus. Why is it so difficult for this fact to be understood ? I thought it is only in foreign countries where sometimes people get confused. But for the people in India to be confused as well, is not acceptable.
I think it is because programmes like Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand which make the people to believe that Sikhism is a particular branch of Hinduism.
Of course, some will argue (as Dhananjay Malhotra did) that God is one and whether you call Him Allah, Eeshwar or Waheguru, it is the same. I have no problem in accepting this fact ! What I am opposing here is the fact that a Sikh family is shown to involve in the very rituals our Gurus have condemned.
I believe there is and can be only One God but that does not automatically mean that a particular practice which is acceptable within one religion, should be acceptable as well as to all other religions. Idol-worshipping may be acceptable in Hinduism but not in Sikhism or Islam. Similarly, consumption of beef is a norm for the Muslims but it is a sin for the Hindus or the Sikhs to do the same.
I hope I have made myself clear that I have NO intention to condemn any religions here. I just want to make sure that people do not take lightly or misinterpret the Teachings of the Gurus and other Saints in the Sikh Tradition !
Therefore, I, on behalf of the Khalsa Panth, demand that the people involved in the making of this TV serial to apologise to all the Sikhs worldwide.
Regards,
Shamsher Singh Thind