Divisions within Sikhism

Everywhere we look, we come across the same problem, DIVISION.

Be it Gurdwara's divided on caste, maryada (code of conduct/practice), or political views. Our most prized organisations, institutes and authorities are all divided along personal differences and vested interests.

One group declares it’s control and another comes and counters it.

Damdami Taksal has three factions, Buddha dal recently broke into two factions after the death of Jathedar Santa Singh (former head of Buddha Dal), Tarna Dal is been used by a number of splinter Nihang groups, AKJ has its problems, Our political voiced is a divided house with over a dozen Akali Dals (Sikh Political Party in Punjab) and don't even get me started on Gurdwara authorities. (SGPC, AGPC, DSGMC) Even our Jathedars of Thakt's are not on speaking terms, every now and even. Some Khalistani’s don’t event talk amongst each other.

It's come down to the extent of People or organisations claiming to be fighting for the same cause are attacking each other, by accusing others of been fakes, government agents or traitors. Personal recognition and support bases have taken a preference over the well being of our community.

Gurdwara’s are divided on anti-Sikh issues like caste, be it Ramgharia, Singh Sabha (confusingly said to be a Jatt Gurdwara, even though Singh Sabha Movement wasn’t led by Jatts), Ravidassisa, Kabirpanthi’s, Namdev’s, Taksali, Nihang, even Khalistani and non-Khalistani are ways in which we are labelling our Gurdwara’s if they are not labelled already.

Some refuse to sit on chairs in langar hall, whilst others wont go to a Gurdwara if it has a Photo of Sant Bhindranwale.

Young Sikhs, espically in Britain show themselves as AKJ, or Taksali Singhs before Sikhs of Sri Guru Granth Sahib JI, such is the state of our community today. Affiliation with Sikh groups appears more attractive than being a Sikh on it’s own.

The lack of openness with successions and declarations of new leaders allows others to claim a hijacking of a Jathebandi, some-how giving them the right to declare themselves as leader of the same group. Seeing multiple Dastarbandi’s (initiations) of people as the “new leader” of a group is rather embarrassing and disappointing.

Our Political Leaders are a divided house that many would rather see destroyed altogether. Allegations and counter allegations, no encouragement of Gurmat and sikhi, no encouragement to the youth to become amritdhari’s, no sponsored gurmat camps, espically in Punjab by political leaders, but now even abroad.

They all come to solicit our votes but they wouldn’t hold an amrit sanchar?

Where does this leave our youth? Confused, disengaged, ignored, neglected, rejected and disheartened.

I could go on writing, but you get the picture. We are a divided house and the only way of unifying is, through Sarbat Khalsa. The collective decision making power of the Sikh Nation.