Disabled people & Reht Maryada

Dear Randip Singh Ji,

"Asking someone who is impaired in some way to fight would be just wrong."

I agree with you...asking someone to do something that they may or may not be qualified to do could be considered wrong, but that is separate from my point.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/general-discussion/29578-disabled-people-and-reht-maryada.html

My point is that if someone who is disabled wants to do something, and they have shown they can do it, then they should be given a chance and not just automatically barred from doing it - that is what is truly wrong.

If the same attitude was held for the pilot with no arms, she would never have had the chance to pursue her dream and fly (that would have been a true tragedy).

It is infuriating to see this attitude in 2010 toward disabled people.

 
Do share your immediate thoughts or reactions on this issue? We value your views! Login Now! or Sign Up Today! to share your views with us.. Gurfateh!

In my opinion the word 'disable' is quite derogatory to be used for a person. They are able in different manners,not disable.

Atheist ji, and your question regarding SRM has a much broader horizon to cover from the Sikhi aspect. India has a stigma against any fraility that we as humans may possess and by golly we as humans have lots of them but we cover them up quite cunningly rather than showing them bravely and seek magical miracles for our mental and physical cures instead of accepting them so they can be improved upon. India is supposed to be the 'most religious place' in the world. My Dad used to say that the more we do Ram Naam, the less godly we inclined to become because we are looking for a quick magical fix.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29578
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29578

Coming back to Khandei di Pahul and able bodies is much farther in the case of our awareness and improvements of things for people are able in a different ways as far as priorities are concerned.

I do not think, but please someone correct me if I am wrong that there is no ramp for the wheel chair people to enter into Harmander Sahib or any other Gurdwara which is a shameful thing. In my opinion all Gurdwaras should have chairs and ramps inside where Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji parkash takes place so old people and wheel chair bound ones can enjoy the same Amrit Keertan as everyone else.

As Sikhi is based on equality, we should allow women to do Seva inside Harmander Sahib, become Granthis and sevadaarnis inside the sanctom sactorium, and be able to do keertan inside Harmander Sahib.

So, before we try to challenge what can be corrected in the ceremony of Khandei di Pahul, let's work together to create equality in other fields first, then your query will be the natural result of the progression of the self.

Atheist ji, do not be outside this Jungian circle and watch it from distance. Become part of this circle and join hands to improve things for others. Isn't that the goal of any human no matter what faith,hue, creed one may belong to?

And shall I add that atheism is part of the same creed, that is to participate actively in improving humanity no matter what.

Regards

Tejwant Singh

Bottom Line..the SRM is a MAN MADE DOCUMENT. It can and has been CHANGED...numerous times... the Entire GURU KHALSA PANTH has the Valid Authority to Change.( A few illegal changes have been made surreptiously by the SGPC hanchos here and there...simply becasue the Guru Khalsa Panth gave them....PA..Power of Attorney !! The Most recent changes they instituted under this PA is the killing of the Nanakshai Calendar accepted universally by the Panth in 2003.(The NC doesnt come under SRM..but its part of what comes under SGPC)..IF this is allowed..then the NEXT CHANGE to SRM may make it even MORE DISCRIMINATORY..simply becasue the ANTI-WOMEN SANT SAMAAJ sanctioned maryadas that run in their DERAS and in Hazoor shaib/Patna Sahib will be the models for change !!! and the SGPC is in cahoots with the sants...as the NC issue proved beyond doubt.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29578
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29578
2. The Guru Khalsa panth has to WAKE UP...Cancel its PA (Power of Attorney) carte blanche given to SGPC/Takhat jathedars which are paid employees of SGPC )..and write up a SRM that is Totally in line with the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Letter and Spirit.

Dear Tejwant Singh Ji,

Thank you for your reply. I can't really blame you for thinking that the word "disable[d]" is derogatory...at the same time, in medicine we have strict definitions for impairment, disability, and handicap, and all are considered (currently) politically correct terms. And of course, "disability" also becomes a legal term, as people who are disabled are often times eligible to get benefits from the government. So as derogatory as it may sound it unfortunately becomes necessary to have such a term.

I am glad you believe that my question has a broader horizon to cover from the Sikhi aspect. In one sense, atheism is similar to Sikhi - Both find absolutely no rational reason whatsoever to feel that one person could ever be "lower" than anyone else. I believe everyone is equal - regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, body type, caste (which shouldn't exist), creed, ability, disability, etc.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29578

It is a shame that Gurdwaras don't have reasonable accommodations - I agree. Even the US government mandates this for employers. And I agree that we should allow women to do everything that a man can do in terms of Sikh activity. BTW is it just a coincidence that all the Sikh Gurus were male?

And you are right - the goal is to improve things for others and to improve humanity regardless of anything else. If the SRM can be changed, why hasn't it been changed yet? Saying that it can be changed but then leaving something like this in there is questionable.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29578

I just find it so hard to believe in 2010 that we STILL have remind others in this world that everyone should be equal. Like that shouldn't be a conclusion, it should be a premise.

As someone who has worked closely worked with disabled people and designed buildings for their adaptations, I am well aware of what people with disabilities what they cannot and can do.

No offense, you are coming into the Rehat Maryada cold, without the benefit of knowing why the SRM was drafted in such a way, and if I was in your position I would think exactly the same.

The Khalsa Rehit is in effect a military discipline. That is what it is essentially about. The 5 K's are articles of war (separate topic).

It was considered unfair to ask someone who was not able bodied to fight on the front lines, hence why this view was adopted. It IS a time of peace now (relatively), hence why we see this aspect of the SRM as discriminatory.

View it in its historical context, not with our 21st Century values.

No one discriminates against disabled people, infact Sikh establishments have actively set up establishments to help disabled people. See the Pingalwara web site for more info.

Pingalwara

Given the back drop of Brahmanical thought that is someone is disables, it is because f their past mistakes, Sikhs have taken a very enlightened view.

I read that in the Bible...a man with damaged/not functioning (whatever that means) equipemnt..."****" CANNOT even enter the Temple..or offer an offering to God. God made the Covenant about circumcision..of the Man's **** shows that this part of man is definitley very very important to Him.(God as well as Man obviously )
The quotes are available at a site which i am not goint to put here..PM me if you want it.

My purpose is to show that the Bible is a GOD DOCUMENT..written by GOD..and the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji..which is not so claimed doesnt have any such "discriminatory" lines/commands. The SRM is man made and can be changed unlike the Bible. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji also cannot be changed and there is no need to do so as well.