In the rural and border belts of the state, some Nihang seminaries run Gurdwaras that are segregated based on caste. The National Commission for Minorities has asked Akal Takht to take appropriate action.
In an ironic twist, the allegations were leveled by Nihang sects against their counterparts. According to NCM chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura, at least seven sects of Nihangs have written about discrimination within the Sikh faith, which goes against Sikh teachings and principles.
Shiromani Panth Akali Budha Dal Tarna Dal has been accused of mistreating lower caste ‘amritdhari’ Sikhs in various gurdwaras including Baba Bakala Sahib, Shahidi Bagh, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Dal Baba Bidi Chand (Sur Singh), Tarn Taran and Bhucho Mandi, Bathinda.
During the ‘amrit sanchar’ ceremony (Sikh ritual for baptism), two separate bowls were allegedly prepared – one for upper-caste Sikhs and one for lower-caste Sikhs. Additionally, lower-caste Sikhs were not permitted to recite Guru Granth Sahib.
As Baba Kulwinder Singh, the Mukh Jathedar of the Nihang Singh Khalsa Dal (Shiromani Jarnail Sahibzada Baba Jujhar Singh), said: “Currently, Mazhbi or Ramgarhia Sikh devotees are required to partake of ‘amrit’ from a separate utensil at these gurdwaras run by ‘powerful babas’ of various Nihang sects. As well, these Sikhs of lesser God are prohibited from performing ‘langar sewa’ (preparing food for the community). Furthermore, they sit separately while partaking of langar. Their utensils will also be different from those offered to upper-caste Sikhs,” he explained.
On September 22, Lalpura sent a communiqué to Vijay Kumar Janjua after recording the complainants’ statements and taking the necessary action before reporting it to the NCM within four weeks.