Gobind's Sikhs are Sikhs no more......

                             We are often told that a Sikh without his flowing hair and turban is like a king without a crown.But, across Punjab, and more so in the countryside, young members of the community are giving up the most visible religious symbol of Sikh identity—long hair and the turban. The trend, which has been growing in the last four to five years, has reached "epidemic" proportions worried. the 'dastaar bandhi samaagam' (a turban-tying ceremony for young boys), too, has become rare in villages because very few boys of 13 or 14 years of age have long hair.

                                                       Does this mean that the day is not far when a Sikh village in Punjab won't have a single turbaned male to show? Maybe.The most common reason cited for this practice is the convenience of not having to go through the elaborate rigmarole of maintaining a beard and tying a turban.The plague is more so in girls,who trim their hair even if the other members of family do not follow the trend.

A typical rural scenario—the patriarch of a large family (in turban) with his sons and grandsons who got their hair cut in Adliwal village near Amritsar 

 Ironically, the trend of clean-shaven Sikhs has picked up in Punjab at a time when the community is engaged in an international campaign to create awareness about the Sikh identity and the importance of wearing religious symbols like the turban and kirpan. Following the ban on wearing turbans in French schools in 2004, and also several cases of hate crimes against Sikhs after 9/11, Sikh organisations began a drive to create awareness about the Sikh faith in Europe, US and Australia.

                                                     Moreover it  is common knowledge that drug abuse and liquor consumption in Punjab has reached unprecedented levels. Sixty per cent of the youth in the 14-25 year age group are estimated to be drug users.
                                                   The land-owning Jat Sikhs have all but shed the turban, whereas the more conservative trading 'Khatri Sikhs' in urban areas are less inclined towards the new trend.The feisty land-owning Punjabi Jat farmer has always been known for his enterprise and desire to try new things. True to form, it is he who is leading the 'no turban' trend even though it makes him an apostate in the eyes of his religion.


And finally few lines for those who are proud to be Jats,Khatris,Ramgarias ,this ,that, these, those but not a common man.

jaath kaa garab n kar moorakh gavaaraa ||
Do not be proud of your social class and status, you ignorant fool!

ਜਾਤਿ ਜਨਮੁ ਨਹ ਪੂਛੀਐ ਸਚ ਘਰੁ ਲੇਹੁ ਬਤਾਇ ॥
God does not ask about social class or birth; you must find your true home.


Parts from-

Gobind's Shorn Flock

Chander Suta Dogra.
www.outlookindia.com.