BACK
Sikh Pachan Vich Kesa Da Mahatav
(Pbi)
A Reveiw by Kartar Singh*
Author: Dr Gurmit Singh
Published by: Abad Parkashan, Patiala
Pages : 134; price Rs 130/-; Paperback
Edition: 2008
Alarmed
by the ever increasing trend of cutting hair amongst youth
born in Sikh families causing damage to the inalienable
Sikh form ordained by Guru Gobind Singh ji has motivated
various devout Sikh scholars to highlight the importance
of unshorn hair for a Sikh, in their scholarly writings
based on tenets of Gurbani, Sikh history and tradition to
halt this dangerous sway. Sikh Pachan Vich Kesan da Mahatav
written by Dr Gurmit Singh Sidhu of Punjabi University,
Patiala, is perhaps the best book on the subject so far
as I have gone through. Quoting Dr Bhai Jodh Singh, the
author asserts that Khalsa was not created to meet some
specific need as the adversaries of Sikhism would mischievously
say but the faith in Guru’s word and discipline ordained
in Sikh Code of Conduct (maryada) are the very basis of
Sikhism and distinctive form of a Sikh in his unshorn hair
with beard and turban gives him an everlasting identity
amongst the people of the other faiths.
Sardar Hukam Singh a devout Sikh, after retirement from
governorship while addressing a congregation of Singh Sabhas
as President of Kendri Singh Sabha said, “Presently
as we are known throughout the world I cannot conceive a
Sikh without this typical form in which hair is the towering
ingredient of Sikh identity.”
The author has critically examined the arguments of various
other scholars like Udham Singh Giani, Ajmer Singh, Narinder
Singh, Sarup Singh Alag and many others on the subject and
discussed various aspects, i.e., the period of glory and
fall of Sikhs, way of life, Present political situation,
social behaviour, dera culture, religious needs, scientific
approach, fashion galore and challenges before the Sikh
community in well researched analysis of facts in a cogent
and reasonful manner that the reader wants to finish the
book in one go to find out some silver lining to thwart
the downward drifting of Sikh bus to the precipice of rudderless
inheritors of Sikh values and proud past.
The author has bemoaned, rather warned against the claim
of those Sikhs not retaining the Sikh form but arguing that
they are Sikhs at heart. He also boldly chides those Sikhs
who in outer form seem to be perfect Gurusikhs but transgress
the lofty values expounded in Gurbani. According to the
author the best argument in favour of Sikh form is that
the Guru ordained it and Sikhs should obey the command in
letter and spirit finding all other arguments core shallow.
Dr Sidhu has not worked out a perfect system of propagation
of Sikhism, which should have been the culmination of this
laborious rendition.
However this book can be a subject with the experts to workout
an effective propagatory system to meet the dangerous threat
to the Sikh form and Sikh way of life advocated in Sikh
tenets.
The book consisting of 134 pages in lucid Punjabi language
is decently printed with attractive get up and reasonably
priced. Such a standard book should have its English version
for those who are not well versed in Punjabi.
¤
©Copyright Institute of Sikh Studies,
2007, All rights reserved.
