BANGALORE; A Kannada Dalit and a first generation Sikh Sardar Hanuman Singh, has established the “Sikh Dharma Mission” here to popularize this military religion among Dalits in South India. And he is sure that Sikhism, ideally cut out for the Dalits alone can liberate Dalit’s. In fact it is a religion meant to liberate mainly Dalits.
A senior railway official on the verge of retirement, a former president of the Bangalore Gurdwara and a staunch Ambedkarite: Hanumun Singh says if properly planed Dalits will simply take a plunge into Sikhism. To prove his claim, he gives the example of himself and his family. And this writer after meeting his wife and children was fully convinced of his argument. Within 30 years if such a transformation could take place in him and his family’s lifestyle, Sikhism must indeed be a powerful force.
Biggest attraction; what will attract Dalits to Sikhism? He says:
Right to keep arms: Dalits are the victims of upper caste violence. And they can’t fight because they are not only physically and financially weak but more than that they are totally disarmed. Sikhism will secure a Dalit the right to keep a weapon—kirpan or a gun. Once a Dalit has arms, no upper caste bully will come near him (V.T. Rajshekar: Dr. Ambedkar & His Conversion, p. 4546 1983. DSA, Rs 10).
Sikhs today are the only people engaged in fighting Brahminism because the Sikh religion is against caste, priestcrall, woman’s oppression and all sort of discrimination. And Hanuman Sigh, though born an Untouchable says he is fully at home in Sikhism whereas his other (Kannada) Dalit it relatives (Karnatak Minister Rachaiah is his close relative) continue to be slaves. Caste has no religious sanction under Sikhism. That is why Dalits are getting increasingly attracted to Sikhism which is a very simple religion to follow, he says.
Hunuman Singh, a Keshadari Sikh, has several plans to liberate Dalits through Sikhism and thereby liberate India.
{Courtesy: Dalit Voice)
Article extracted from this publication >> October 21, 1988
