Saurabh Malik
Chandigarh, 10 January
The Punjab and Haryana High Court in a judgment today said that seeking reservation based on caste or gender in Sikh religious body elections is against the fundamental principles of Sikhism. A bench of Justice Anil Kshetpal and Justice Harpreet Kaur Jeevan dismissed several petitions citing the Sikh philosophy of equality and unity. It was argued in the petitions that not giving reservation to Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, Women in Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee elections is unconstitutional and violative of the provisions of the Representation of the People Act.
“Demanding reservation on the basis of caste and gender for the purpose of elections in the Sikh religious body would go against the pure philosophy of Sikhism,” the bench said in the judgment. No order can be given to compel any organization or state to provide reservation.” The bench said, “The philosophy of Sikhism emphasizes the unity of all human beings. Sikhism established by Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji emphasizes the importance of the principle of ‘Ek Noor Te Sabh Jag Upajya’ – which shows that the whole universe is made from one light, i.e. from one universal source. In Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the opening word is ‘Ek Onkar’, which indicates that there is only one ‘Universal Creator’ i.e. ‘God’ who is called ‘Onkar’. It also signifies unity in all forms of humanity.” The bench said, “Sikhism follows its philosophy and principles. The practice of ‘langar’ or community cooking was the best example of unity. Langar halls are one of those places where everyone is treated equally and food is served; where the attendees sit on the floor and eat simple food.”
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