WASHINGTON: One of the highlights of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation’s programs last year was the Sikh Women’s Day. On Occasion, Bhai Jaspal Singh ‘Who is known for his melodious Kirtan and logical explanation of Gurbani, gave a spiritual exposition of the status and role of women history and society through his kirtan. He said “woman is like mother earth that gives birth to, and nurtures her children.” He pointed out that in God’s creation everything has its own unique role. Just like in a jigsaw puzzle if you remove a small part the picture will become incomplete. Quoting a line from Gurbani ‘Aape Purakh Aape hi Nari’ Jaspal Singh emphasized that according to Gurmat no living being is superior or inferior based on sexual difference, and in fact all living beings are God’s own manifestation. Mankind has failed to understand this concept and has suppressed women in many societies. “Gurmat says “whoever comes to this ultimate understanding, gets emancipated from bondages of ignorance “Asian Gyan Vichare Koi, Tis Te Mukt Paramgut Hoi,” Jaspal Singh said.
the next speaker on this occasion was Dr.Kamaljit Kaur Sethi of Sikh Broadcasting Corporation she elaborated further that historically women in the Indian Subcontinent were held in contempt and were excluded from all religious functions. “Even in the West, Aristotle was branded as an enormous development. Dr.Sethi pointed out that it was Guru Nanak who challenged these social values and addressed the great injustice to women at great peril to himself.” She said, “A society which had women in a rigid cocoon of restrictions for scrutinizing was in no hurry to change.” But by the tum of the 16th Century, Guru Nanak had established for men and women of all castes under the banner of Sikhism, a common set of standards and values to live by, and to die for, if need be,” Dr.Sethi traced the Sikh history and gave examples of the Sikh Gurus that how they elevated the status of women in their own times. She also gave brief accounts of some of the famous women in Sikh history like, Mata Nanki, Mata Khiwi, Mata Bhani, Mai Bhago, Dr.Rajwant Singh, the Executive Director of G.G.S.F. talked about the crucial role being played by “Kaur Organization’ run by Amrit Kaur Boparai in Stockton, California in helping the families of the Sikh martyrs in the present day struggle of Khalistan. Dr. Singh said that the observance of Sikh Women’s day will be considered incomplete if not backed by solid actions to lend financial and moral Support to thousands of Sikh women being insulted, tortured and rendered widows, when their husbands are taken away by security forces and killed in fake encounters.
Dr. Surjit Kaur, secretary of GGSF said that “we need to create a social climate in which our women folk scan play their crucial role as valuable and valued members of Sikh nation. She emphasized that Sikh women should come forward and take a leading role in the religious institutions. Women should become parcharaks and be included in Panj Pijaras which is sanctioned by Shromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 1, 1992
