There is quite a confusion and myth about the devotion of Hindus towards the Sikh Gurus. A large number of Hindus have claimed that they have the highest respect for the Sikh Gurus and the Sikh friends based on their personal experiences.
Since Sikhism was born in Punjab its impact on contemporary Punjab Hindus had to be immense specially since Sikh gurus and Sikhs stood for the downtrodden and the oppressed and stood against the tyrant rulers the ‘majority of whom were Moghul Kings. Yet there were pockets of Hindu opposition of Sikhs and Sikh Gurus. This was the result of criticism of rituals and superstitions which had taken roots in Hinduism and had corrupted the religion and the society at the hand of Brahmins who were the custodians of the Hindu religion. The majority of Hindus, though, felt great affinity towards Sikhs as they saw in them dependable guardians and protectors.
During the reign of Moghul King Shahjahan there was a dramatic extension in the Sikh philosophy and Guru Hargobing showed Sikhs the new direction which favoured armed resistance to unjust authority. He founded the Akal Takhat and started issuing religious and political orders for the Sikh nation, the second spark to this philosophy was provided by the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur who laid down his life to uphold the principle of religious freedom.
Guru Gobind Singh has probably been the most misunderstood Guru among Sikhs and Hindus alike. He infused new concept of self-respect, dignity, bravery and martial values for the defense of the weak and oppressed ‘against tyranny and unjust rule. His fight was not directed against any one person or any one religion but against the oppressor, He fought more battles with Hindu mountain Kings of Punjab than with the Moghul Kings. This was due to the powerful Brahmin lobby working hand in hand with the Hindu Kings who fought against the Guru many times and with active assistance from the Mughal Kings.
After Guru Gobind Singh, Sikhs were the hunted tribe and had to take refuge in the jungles but continued their struggle to help the needy and) the oppressed. The Hindus were indeed ‘grateful to the Sikhs and were indebted to them for their safety. Shivaji who was a contemporary of Guru Gobind Singh had immense respect for the Sikh philosophy and was a great admirer of the Guru, He was another parallel force fighting the Moghul Kings. But there ‘was one BIG difference. Shivaji did not have to fight Hindu Kings and his fight was aimed at ending the Moghul rule rather than ending the oppression and the injustice. Moreover Shivai used every method, right or wrong, in the pursuit of his goals, Nevertheless, Guru Gobind is held in high esteem in the land a of Shivaji
The Hindus of Punjab today have alienated themselves from the Sikh Gurus and the Sikhs to a great degree although they are not prepared to admit this. There is no question that their respect for the first 9 gurus is far greater than their respect for Guru Gobind Singh. All because Guru Gobind Singh created Khalsa and gave them a separate identity. Hindus who still respect the Gurus and the Gurbani have little respect for the Sikhs as a matter of concept. In the back of their mind they still contribute to the Brahministic opposition of the Sikh religion and have out accepted the separate identity of this fellow community. They fell in Jove with Sikhism but could not abandon any of the rituals and superstitions which were prohibited in Sikhism.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 21, 1990
