Sir,

You know it is very disappointing to note that whenever you open any dictionary Sikhism is defined as a sect of Hinduism or just a mixture of Hinduism and Islam. 1 think it is time that we should correct this long pending wrong done to Sikhs by the world’s scholars and authors of English dictionaries and encyclopedias.

With this purpose in mind I requested S.Santokh Singh Dharam of Canada to provide me with definitions of Sikhism and Sikh He gave me the following definition:

Sikhism-A strictly monotheistic religion founded by Guru Nanak (1469 to 1535 AD). It believes in one Supreme Being the absolute timeless God who pervades his creation and yet transcends it. It advocates repetition of Naam (God’s name) as a means to attainment of the ultimate bliss. Sikhism is not a sect of Hinduism because i reject the fundamental Hindu beliefs such as caste system idol worship pluralism and dualism

Sikh-A follower of Sikhism. The word Sikh means disciple a seeker of truth. Sikhs are disciples of their ton Gurus Guru Nanak (1469-1535 AD); through Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708 AD) and Guru Granth Sahib their holy scripture.

With these as working drafts let all learned Sikh scholars suggest their improvements or -amendments to these definitions. If necessary these Sikh intelligentsia may also contact their learned friends in India particularly professors in Punjab University Patiala and officials of Sharomni Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Let them suggest their improved versions or agreement with the above definitions through their letters to you. After waiting for a reasonable time say three months (i.e. end of August 1991) let the WSN present all the comments and suggested definitions to W.S.O. The W.S.O. should then consider these definitions in its annual meeting (which they generally hold in the end of October) and after reaching a consensus write to the publishers and authors of all the world dictionaries and encyclopedias for substituting their existing definitions with those approved by the W.S.O.

Previously I was thinking of doing this myself but I realize that this is such an important matter that affects our whole nation and as such needs the input and approval of all concerned. It would have been best if bodies like Sharomni Gurdwara Purbhandhak committee had done this job many years ago. However since they have to take care of so many other problems I feel that W.S.O. is the next logical choice for a project like this. But this does not mean that I want to pass this responsibility on to somebody else’s shoulders. I shall be more than happy to pursue the project if so directed by the W.S.O.

Daljit Singh Jawa

Topeka Kansas

Article extracted from this publication >> May 24, 1991