Sikh local residents in India and Pakistan oppose the BJP-led Hindu nationalist government’s radical policies.
Another debate occurred over Sikh’s Kirpan (steel sword or dagger) during provincial assembly elections being held across India, only days after the BJP-led government outlawed wearing hijab in schools in India’s Karnataka state.
Police authorities allegedly blocked members of the Sikh minority group from voting because they were holding the Kirpan.
When Sikh youngsters were barred from voting while holding the Kirpan in the Jalalabad region of Indian Punjab, they got into a scuffle with police.
Sikh youngsters, on the other hand, believe that the Kirpan is an integral part of their identity and that they cannot separate it from their bodies.
Sikhs in India are generally permitted to carry their Kirpan to any location in the country. “So why is the sword just prohibited for voting?” one enraged Sikh wondered.
The minority group raised concern over how they would be regarded in other regions of the country if they were unable to carry Kirpan in Indian Punjab, which is dominated by Sikhs.
Meanwhile, Sikh organisations in Pakistan have criticised the plan, claiming that India’s extreme Hindus seek to exterminate all minorities.
Sardar Gopal Singh Chawla, a Sikh community member, said in a statement that Sikhs should not tolerate such a ban and asked other minority communities, like as Muslims and Christians, to band together to combat the BJP-led Hindu national government’s radical policies.
Sikhs and Muslims have spoken out against politicians’ divisive policies as the northern Punjab state elects its provincial legislature today.
“Parties that promote hatred and division are not welcome. In Punjab, secular parties are supported by Sikhs, Muslims, and others “Anadolu Agency quoted Punjab’s leading cleric, Maulana Mohammad Usman Rehmani Ludhianvi, as saying.
“In Punjab, I believe Sikhs and Muslims have a bond similar to that of older and younger brothers. It will continue, and we have witnessed several examples of social peace “He expressed himself.
Unlike Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, where anti-Muslim language has been used in election campaigns, Punjab appears to be an outlier.
According to experts, the developing bond between Sikhs and Muslims has aided in keeping divisive forces at bay.
“Politicians are attempting to use religion in elections, but people aren’t buying it,” said Jaspal Kaur Kaang, a Chandigarh-based Sikh studies specialist who attributes Punjab’s communal unity to Sikhism’s secular characteristics.
“The people have been taught by the Sikh gurus to value communal peace. Punjab is a secular state that has shunned divisive and hate-based politics. They’ve put a greater emphasis on global brotherhood “she expressed herself.
