Dear Editor, There was an alarming news report in the Punjabi section of the World Sikh News of December 8, 1995. This Report is about the population census of India for the year 1991, The census figures show the effect of the tragic events of 1984 and their aftermath on the growth of Sikh population in and outside Punjab, Comparison with 1981 census figures show a significant increase in the percentage of Sikh population in Punjab, whereas a significant decrease in Delhi and other places in 1991. The most disturbing thing about this census ‘to me is the female/male ratio of the Sikhs. Among, the Indian religions. Sikhs have the’ lowest female/male ratio (Sikhs 888, Hindus 925, Muslims 930. Jains 946.
Buddhists 952 and Christians 994/per thousand of males). This finding poses a challenge to Sikh social scientists and other scholars and is worthy of their attention. We have to find out why the female/male ratio is so low among the Sikhs? Is it due to lower female birth rate or some other factors? If it is due to other factors then it will have grave consequences for the spiritual, social and economic wellbeing of the Sikhs. Baldev Singh Collegeville. PA.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 17, 1996
