This article brings forth an important issue.
How is the sikh community at large going to react to the situation? It is not so hidden a fact that an increasing number of sikhs have embraced trimming of their beards, and the SGPC has averted its eyes to accomodate it in name of changing times. But when it comes to not wearing turbans, a crucial element of Sikh identity is in danger of extinction.
With changing times, changes in customs and outlook, have been accomodated by various religions so far it does not clashes with the core beliefs. Perhaps because these are necessary to keep the base intact and in the first place they dont defy the religious identity so blatantly.
A clarification here is important. I am indeed in favor of changes whether they be radical or subtle as far as they confirm with reasoning and logics. Afterall you need to move forwards as the civilization progresses, and the perspective and beliefs of our ancestors were a function of the knowledge under their domain.
Coming back to my main contention, which is, when you have always preached some element to be part of your unique identity you cant denounce it overnight. But also there is no way you can make people wear something they dont want to, encroachments on individual freedom will only result in defiance.
Let us see are there any real sikhs (that is subject to my definition of a sikh, which is the same as been traditionally believed) left after this new wave of cultural revolution.
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5 comments:
Theres a difference between moving forward in a civilization and moving forward by crashing the heads of your forefathers beneath your feet. What is dismaying is the fact that these youngsters don't really know what their history is. If they try to know/research, there is no reason for them not to be proud. Abandoning turbans is no sign of progress. Yet,in this material world it very well may seem to be for million reasons people can create. Even if they don't learn the history, they should be responsible enough to inquire. And when they come to know that they have been blessed with the most natural form of a human being, the phoenix of self respect shall rise. Root Cause, again: illiteracy.
@ clarifier
If our generation is ignorant of the past, it is in part a failure of prior generations. And this holds for any generation in any country and culture.
Secondly, it might be that this is indeed not the case. And people are well aware and proud of their historical heritage, yet some how feel alienated towards a particular element of their heritage. The reasons for this must be investigated first and analysed in depth. Afterall, discarding them is not the solution, but to make these people understand the reasons and also to understand their contentions would better help bring a solution.
Lastly, i have no idea whatsoever of what you intend to say in last two sentences of your comment.
Read those last lines again and they reveal a truth(that is graceful only if self-recognized) that hid itself in your mind when you were writing the while thing. Figure out the reason for turban, everything is not a custom everywhere, things have meanings too.
And if my grandfather was illiterate, I don't need to carry forward such tradition. Weakest thing on this earth to do is to blame others for your incapability, and others is World minus You.
Lastly, it is not about discarding as you say, the strength of conviction doesn't lie in criticizing and henceforth abandoning, it rather lies in embracing the challenges and making changes possible.
Thanks.
Addendum:
You have a point here:"but to make these people understand the reasons and also to understand their contentions would better help bring a solution"
The solution lies in educating them on the meaning of turban, etc. And if it is to be done only to preserve heritage, culture, etc, then the leaders are in the wrong direction too. There is certainly more to it. You may want to read about Waris Singh Ahluwalia (the first Sikh, turbaned and untrimmed model to walk the ramp in Milan) and his mission.
@clarifier
I agree to it, that blaming others doesnt solve problems. But some problems can only be solved collectively, an individual can at max catalyse. I was only saying and still am that if you believe in discovery about your past than give people time , may be they will realize after 40 years what's the importance of turban but if you want them to understand everything within your timeframe than tell them. It is not about that if thaey want to they will, it is more about if they dont know how would they?
You are absolutely correct when you say that if it is done just to preserve things as they were, the course of action is wrong.
There is also one aspect, that people should have a right to figure out what is wrong and what is right. If its right they will see the light :)
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