Sikhs and Caste

The Caste System Sensitive issue in Sikhism Many out-rightly reject there is – but why? Hindu roots of Sikhism inescapable, of which caste very visible Purity/pollution aspect (in certain respects) not as dominant as in Hinduism In order to understand the Sikh Guru’s position on caste – need to take a brief look at caste in the dominant religion of Hinduism, remember Guru Nanak was a dvija Hindu.

Caste in Hinduism Many theories of origin, 2 of which are: 1.Racial theory  Aryans invaded India about 1500 BCE  Brought 3-fold structure with them – priest, warriors and agriculturists  When got to India, the indigenous peoples (Dravidians) became 4 th class – “Shudras”  Indigenous were ‘darker’ “Dasyas” which means ‘dark skinned’  Aryans fairer – connotations even today  Divide between north and south India

2. The Hymn of the Primeval Man, Purusukta  Rig veda x.90  4 classes of society from body of primeval man  Brahmins – mouth  Kshatriyas - arms  Vaishyas – thighs  Shudras – feet

No mention of Harijans – is this why “Outcastes?” – aboriginal tribes of India? Or result of mixed caste marriages? Over time, an amalgamation of Aryan and indigenous cultures and traditions to form Caste System as is today According to Hindu caste system, each individual has duties prescribed by one’s caste – varnashramadharma Barrier between higher/lower clean/unclean Laws of Manu – prescribed distances

Dvija – sacred thread, upanayam Endogamous Rules of eating together – commensality Food very important – kachha and pakka (remember here the importance of langar in a Sikh Gurdwara) Exalted position of brahmins – rituals, sacrifices, ‘god- like’ Hierarchical system – Dumont’s “Homo Hierarchicus” Occupations Untouchables (reforms: Dalits, Harijans, Scheduled Classes = leather workers (chamar), sweepers (chuhra), barbers (nai), washers (dhaubi)

The Sikh Gurus and Caste Evidence from GGS – all Gurus spoke out against caste Guru Nanak refused sacred thread Openly associated and mingled with lower castes – would have been frowned upon in his period Spoke out against elevated position of brahmins – his way was interiorized/personal No need for brahmins Emphasized eating together

In his following composition, Guru Nanak openly spoke of the worthlessness of caste: Worthless is caste and worthless an exalted name, For all mankind there is but a single refuge. (AG 83) Guru Nanak’s message was also repeated by his successors, in the following hymn Guru Amar Das, the fourth guru, says: When you die you do not carry your caste with you. It is your deeds [and not your caste] which will determine your fate. (AG 363)

Guru Gobind Singh’s creation of the Khalsa Langar/karah prasad Bhagat bani 4 doors at Harmandir Theoretically equal in status – masses of lower castes converted to Sikhism in hope of equality Term “mazhabi” – why? Patronizing? Stigma of untouchability remained Did Gurus intend on eradicating? Or caste did not matter in qualifying for mukti? All ten were khatris themselves, offspring married endogamously Endogamy remained

Today – caste based gurdwaras This is contradiction of the Rehat Maryada: “all are free to enter a Gurdwara without any consideration of caste or creed”. Many lower caste converts not allowed to prepare langar or karah prasad – outright contradiction of Gurbani Were mazhabis “forced” to have separate Gurdwaras – moves towards distinct identity? Surnames increasingly used Hindus have varna and jati, Sikhs jati only. Although many jatis, 4 major ones – maybe hierarchical also: Jats Ramgharias/tarkhans Bhatras Mazhabis Majority Panth is Jat All are endogamous

Caste prejudice remained in Panth Social stigma attached to untouchability The Sikh faith did not give equality with all Sikhs – mazhabis 2 castes – Valmikis and Ravidasis: My doctoral research on these – “Sikh Identity: an exploration of groups among Sikhs” Both Ravidasis and Valmikis are caste-based groups – their identity very interesting Scheduled classes, Gandhi’s (harijans) = patronizing. They themselves prefer Dalit – the oppressed people Term “untouchable” declared illegal in India under Article 17 of the Constitution of India