Sikhs and Caste The Caste System Sensitive issue

Sikhs and Caste

The Caste System • Sensitive issue in Sikhism • Many out-rightly reject there is – but why? • Hindu roots of Sikhism inescapable, of which caste very visible • Purity/pollution aspect (in certain respects) not as dominant as in Hinduism • In order to understand the Sikh Guru’s position on caste – need to take a brief look at caste in the dominant religion of Hinduism, remember Guru Nanak was a dvija Hindu.

Caste in Hinduism • Many theories of origin, 2 of which are: 1. Racial theory Ø Aryans invaded India about 1500 BCE Ø Brought 3 -fold structure with them – priest, warriors and agriculturists Ø When got to India, the indigenous peoples (Dravidians) became 4 th class – “Shudras” Ø Indigenous were ‘darker’ “Dasyas” which means ‘dark skinned’ Ø Aryans fairer – connotations even today Ø Divide between north and south India

2. The Hymn of the Primeval Man, Purusukta Ø Rig veda x. 90 Ø 4 classes of society from body of primeval man Ø Brahmins – mouth Ø Kshatriyas - arms Ø Vaishyas – thighs Ø Shudras – feet

• No mention of Harijans – is this why “Outcastes? ” – aboriginal tribes of India? Or result of mixed caste marriages? • Over time, an amalgamation of Aryan and indigenous cultures and traditions to form Caste System as is today • According to Hindu caste system, each individual has duties prescribed by one’s caste – varnashramadharma • Barrier between higher/lower clean/unclean • Laws of Manu – prescribed distances

• Dvija – sacred thread, upanayam • Endogamous • Rules of eating together – commensality • Food very important – kachha and pakka (remember here the importance of langar in a Sikh Gurdwara) • Exalted position of brahmins – rituals, sacrifices, ‘godlike’ • Hierarchical system – Dumont’s “Homo Hierarchicus” • Occupations • Untouchables (reforms: Dalits, Harijans, Scheduled Classes = leather workers (chamar), sweepers (chuhra), barbers (nai), washers (dhaubi)

The Sikh Gurus and Caste • Evidence from GGS – all Gurus spoke out against caste • Guru Nanak refused sacred thread • Openly associated and mingled with lower castes – would have been frowned upon in his period • Spoke out against elevated position of brahmins – his way was interiorized/personal • No need for brahmins • Emphasized eating together

In his following composition, Guru Nanak openly spoke of the worthlessness of caste: Worthless is caste and worthless an exalted name, For all mankind there is but a single refuge. (AG 83) Guru Nanak’s message was also repeated by his successors, in the following hymn Guru Amar Das, the fourth guru, says: When you die you do not carry your caste with you. It is your deeds [and not your caste] which will determine your fate. (AG 363)

• • • Guru Gobind Singh’s creation of the Khalsa Langar/karah prasad Bhagat bani 4 doors at Harmandir Theoretically equal in status – masses of lower castes converted to Sikhism in hope of equality Term “mazhabi” – why? Patronizing? Stigma of untouchability remained Did Gurus intend on eradicating? Or caste did not matter in qualifying for mukti? All ten were khatris themselves, offspring married endogamously Endogamy remained

• Today – caste based gurdwaras • This is contradiction of the Rehat Maryada: “all are free to enter a Gurdwara without any consideration of caste or creed”. • Many lower caste converts not allowed to prepare langar or karah prasad – outright contradiction of Gurbani • Were mazhabis “forced” to have separate Gurdwaras – moves towards distinct identity? • Surnames increasingly used • Hindus have varna and jati, Sikhs jati only. • Although many jatis, 4 major ones – maybe hierarchical also: Jats Ramgharias/tarkhans Bhatras Mazhabis • Majority Panth is Jat • All are endogamous

• Caste prejudice remained in Panth • Social stigma attached to untouchability • The Sikh faith did not give equality with all Sikhs – mazhabis • 2 castes – Valmikis and Ravidasis: My doctoral research on these – “Sikh Identity: an exploration of groups among Sikhs” • Both Ravidasis and Valmikis are caste-based groups – their identity very interesting • Scheduled classes, Gandhi’s (harijans) = patronizing. • They themselves prefer Dalit – the oppressed people • Term “untouchable” declared illegal in India under Article 17 of the Constitution of India