Dear Editor, I have read S.Arvind Singh, Ontario, Canada’s letter (World Sikh News, June 11, 1993, pg.9).
I would like to request S.Arvind Singh never to use simple S. for Singh. He could write H.Singh instead of Harjinder S. as “Singh” is more important and sacred to a Sikh.
My analysis that “in most of the cases the off springs of interfaith wedlock’s are emotionally retarded” is derived from the cases 1 had studied. Secondly, you have yourself consented to the analysis by referring to the fate of the children of Sikh Mexican wedlock’s. Non acceptance of such children must have led to emotional crisis.
Thank you for comparing me with ignoble Hitler, Dear brother Mein Kampf was not written by Hitler. Secondly “his views” about blood mixture were not “his own,” “He” was quoting German philosophers and psychoanalysts.
[Have not analyzed inter caste (but of the same faith) marriages is my article, But I have a positive Opinion about such marriages. Sikhism does not allow interfaith marriages but there is not a restriction on marriages. Sikhism, rather, denounces caste distinctions, though none, in the families of the Gurus, chose a partner of another caste I personally Support marriages. To my mind it will help in breaking the caste system, which is still practiced by some Sikhs.
Your reference to “Khalsa Sikh and clean-shaven Sikh” is wrong. A Sikh is a Sikh. Amrit dhari and Schajdhari are the sections of the Sikhs. Sehajdhari is not clean shave; he must have unshorn hair. It is a conspiracy to say that a Sehajdhari is clean-shaven; Cutting of hair is to “renounce faith.” A man who is clean-shaven can’t represent himself as a Sikh. Several friends of mine, including one of my best friends (DrAwatar Singh Sekhon) are clean-shaven, It hurts me. I wish to see them as Sikh.
Lastly, your opinion that “Sikh identity has remained tied to Indian (Hindu) identity” is misconceived. This opinion has been expressed by Hindus or other ignorant non Sikhs. Brahmanical practices did not chain Sikh mind: It was a deliberate conspiracy 10. Propagate Hindu roots of Sikhism and Hindu Sikh ties, Sikhism is a distinct faith and altogether different from Hinduism.
In the end I would like to advise you to read some genuine books of Sikh philosophy and history. It will give you clarity. I appreciate that young (I hope you are a young boy) persons like you are interested in Sikhism. [hope you might be clear about Sikh Rehat maryada (code of conduct) approved by the Akal Takht Sahib that a Sikh can marry a Sikh, Humanity religion/ caste all is one (consider all human race as one) but understand this does not mean that a Sikh can marry a non-Sikh.
Harjinder Singh Dilgeer
Article extracted from this publication >> June 25, 1993