Are Amritdhari Sikhs a Punjabi minority?
Earlier this week the Haryana and Punjab high courts struck down a provision in SGPC-run schools that reserves 50% of its seats for Sikhs under the same concept as the federal provision for reserved seats for historic minorities. The SGPC is contesting the ruling, arguing that while Sikhs may constitute a majority of the Punjabi population, Amritdhari Sikhs, for whom seats are reserved, are a very small comparative minority.
This issue made me think of previous conversations I’ve had with friends over whether or not Amritdhari Sikhs, or even just Keshdari Sikhs, are a shrinking minority. Within the diaspora this is certainly the case — the number of Sikhs, particularly second- and third-genners, who choose to take amrit seems to decrease every year. I’ve met many folks who discuss their hesitancy; perhaps we don’t know Punjabi as well in the diaspora, or the lack of training within sangats makes it hard to pass on knowledge. But for many, being an Amritdhari Sikh also vastly limits their relationship choices and options.
As a community, do we see this as a problem? I always find this news disheartening, but I would be lying if I said I would line up to take amrit anytime soon. How does the growing expansion and changes of the demographics of the Sikh community make things easier, or more challenging, when it comes to advocating for issues together? Do different subsections of the population feel more or less lonely/alone in their experiences?
8 Responses to “Are Amritdhari Sikhs a Punjabi minority?”
Wow. I don't have any proof, but the general feeling underlying every conversation I've had on the subject is that Sikhi thrives more in the diaspora than back in PB (especially after the 84-91 turmoil). Whenever I go to Punjab and see a young Sikh man or woman in a pag/keski, I hear people joke that s/he must be from North America. Seems like you've arrived at the opposite conclusion somehow.
(Not that I'm particularly invested in these observations. I was amritdhari once, but I think I've been a blasphemous atheist for more than half my life now. I still think Sikhi's pretty cool, as far as organized religion goes.)
Wow. I don’t have any proof, but the general feeling underlying every conversation I’ve had on the subject is that Sikhi thrives more in the diaspora than back in PB (especially after the 84-91 turmoil). Whenever I go to Punjab and see a young Sikh man or woman in a pag/keski, I hear people joke that s/he must be from North America. Seems like you’ve arrived at the opposite conclusion somehow.
(Not that I’m particularly invested in these observations. I was amritdhari once, but I think I’ve been a blasphemous atheist for more than half my life now. I still think Sikhi’s pretty cool, as far as organized religion goes.)
Having lived on both coasts of the states, I have also noticed a difference regarding being Sikh. Whereas on the east coast, I remember more emphasis being placed on the religion and on the west coast there's more emphasis placed on the social component. East coast Sikhs go to gurdwara to get more out of kirtan and get langar afterward. On the west coast, people go for langar (literally teh sangat shows up 10 minutes before langar starts) and leaves 10 minutes after they finish eating.
Having lived on both coasts of the states, I have also noticed a difference regarding being Sikh. Whereas on the east coast, I remember more emphasis being placed on the religion and on the west coast there’s more emphasis placed on the social component. East coast Sikhs go to gurdwara to get more out of kirtan and get langar afterward. On the west coast, people go for langar (literally teh sangat shows up 10 minutes before langar starts) and leaves 10 minutes after they finish eating.
Harbeer, it's so funny you bring that up because I hear similar comments, but more and more it seems like kesdari and amritdhari Sikhs are a shrinking group both in Punjab and abroad. I mean, there are cliched explanations for why Sikhi might not thrive in the kesdari context in the diaspora, but the idea of the rapidly shrinking Punjabi population is strange to me, also (my little brother always says that India, specifically Delhi-Punjab, is the only place where he doesn't feel "out of place" for how he looks).
Cali-boy, I've noticed a similar trend. It seems that east of the Mississippi there is a greater religious focus (regardless of kes-status), but the west coast has a stronger aesthetic/social focus (it's about keepig up appearances, but not necessarily content). Of course that's a huge generalization, but I'm always impressed by the east coast sangats. Maybe this is visitor, grass is greener, bias, though
Harbeer, it’s so funny you bring that up because I hear similar comments, but more and more it seems like kesdari and amritdhari Sikhs are a shrinking group both in Punjab and abroad. I mean, there are cliched explanations for why Sikhi might not thrive in the kesdari context in the diaspora, but the idea of the rapidly shrinking Punjabi population is strange to me, also (my little brother always says that India, specifically Delhi-Punjab, is the only place where he doesn’t feel “out of place” for how he looks).
Cali-boy, I’ve noticed a similar trend. It seems that east of the Mississippi there is a greater religious focus (regardless of kes-status), but the west coast has a stronger aesthetic/social focus (it’s about keepig up appearances, but not necessarily content). Of course that’s a huge generalization, but I’m always impressed by the east coast sangats. Maybe this is visitor, grass is greener, bias, though
Sikhs might be shrinking with the blessing of guru Gobind singh even a one singh is a thousands and one singhni is thousands but there will be a day when the Khalsa Shall rule the truth shall unite the four corners of this world.
I love reading your blog because it has very interesting topics.:-`”‘