Nam Jap ji
I am not missing the subtle parts of your questions. They are all very good and probing. But there is actually a example in real-time that is related to the question you are asking.
There was a proposal by SGPC to admit Sanatan
Sikhs into the fold. Sanatan
Sikhs historically have been largely members of the Dalit caste. This is going back a few centuries. The proposal was made in April or so a year ago. I am not 100 percent certain of the timing of this. The argument was that
Sikhs should and could increase their numbers by forgetting historical differences and religious differences that were part of ancient history. This move many said would be good for everyone. It would improve the political standing of
Sikhs in India and it would demonstrate that
Sikhism is a religion that embraces many different groups. Now a year later what has happened with this proposal? Do we hear anything about it any more? No. Now once again Sanatans are being characterized as "out of the fold" for their heresies.
My personal opinion is irrelevant. I have some questions however.
It seems that an older frame of mind dominates the discussion of who is and who is not a
Sikh. Yet exclusion by caste goes against the core values of
Sikhi. I am well aware of the religious reasons given to exclude Sanatans. Moreover, in day to day life contact with Dalits is kept to a minimum. Only this week there was yet another story of an honor killing in India. A young
Sikh woman was caught with her Dalit boyfriend. She was beaten unconscious and the burned to death by her family.
Tell this moorath Westerner then what are the ways in which Dalits can be included if not welcomed. If not conversion, if not evangelism, then what? If not Dalits, then what about others? How do others find their way to the fold?
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