Today, for the first time in our country, an international conference titled “Racism and Violence Against Sikhs and Other National Minorities in India: Current Realities,” dedicated to the repressive policy of the Indian government against ethnic minorities, was held under the organization of the Baku Initiative Group.
The event will be attended by Ramesh Singh Arora, Minister for Human Rights and Minorities of Punjab province, other officials, as well as influential representatives of the Sikh community from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the USA, heads of international think tanks, scholars from foreign universities working in the field of human rights and ethnic minorities, and individuals who have been direct victims of the Indian government's repressive and racist policies.
Within the framework of the conference, the systematic racial discrimination, violence, and repressive policies of the Indian government against Sikhs and other ethnic minorities, particularly the gross violation of India's obligations under the UN “International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” “International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,” and “Convention Against Torture,” were discussed.
Modern.az has investigated Sikhism, a religion not widely known in Azerbaijan, and its global adherents.
What is Sikhism?
Sikhism, with millions of followers and a distinctive belief system and social philosophy, also holds a significant place globally.
Sikhism emerged in the Punjab region of India in the 15th century. The religion was founded by Guru Nanak. At that time, India was in serious religious and social contradictions: the caste system, religious discrimination, and social inequality were widespread. Guru Nanak's teachings were formed as a protest against this injustice.
The development of Sikhism was continued successively by 10 Gurus. The last religious leader, Guru Gobind Singh, ended the institution of the human Guru, entrusting religious leadership to the holy scripture “Guru Granth Sahib.”
Belief System: One God, Equal Humanity
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion. Sikhs perceive God as a supreme being, beyond form and time, omnipresent. The religion unequivocally rejects the caste system, social stratification, and racial-religious discrimination.
The core philosophy of Sikhism is built upon three principles:
-Constantly remembering God
-Living an honest life through hard work
-Sharing a portion of one's earnings with the community.
These principles strengthen social solidarity within Sikh communities.
Worship and Daily Life
Sikh places of worship are called Gurdwaras. Not only religious rituals but also social activities are carried out here. The tradition of “langar,” where free meals are offered to everyone regardless of their religion or nationality, holds a special place.
Sikh men typically keep beards and wear turbans. This is not only a symbol of religious identity but also regarded as an expression of self-respect and responsibility. The religious symbols known as the “Five Ks” in Sikhism also ensure that the faith is lived out in daily life.
Violence and Self-Defense
Although Sikhism is known as a religion of peace and compassion, the persecution of its followers throughout history has also legitimized the right to self-defense within this faith. In this regard, Sikhism is considered neither a fully pacifist nor an aggressive religion. The main principle is the protection of justice.
Global Spread and Modern Challenges
Today, 25–30 million Sikhs live worldwide. Although primarily settled in India, large diaspora communities exist in Canada, the United Kingdom, the USA, and Australia. In Western countries, Sikhs often face false stereotypes due to their outward appearance.
In the modern era, Sikh communities are actively engaged in the protection of religious identity, integration, and human rights.
The majority of Sikhism's followers live in India. Approximately 24 million Sikhs reside in this country. This number is 770,000 in Canada, 500,000–530,000 in the United Kingdom, and approximately 500,000 in the USA. Small communities exist in Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, the UAE, and New Zealand.
Official statistical data is not available in Azerbaijan. The community is very small and not highly organized. According to estimates, the number of Sikhs is in the hundreds or thousands. However, it remains an interesting topic for the dissemination of religious philosophy and educational research.
