Sikhs Courageous, But Not Senselessly Violent

August 31, 1998

The recent incident at the Sikh Gurdwara (temple) was indeed a tragedy. I am a prep school history teacher and a Vietnam veteran, who converted to the Sikh faith and am proud of having done so. What happened at the Gurdwara could have happened at a church, a synagogue, or mosque here or in any other part of the world.

Unfortunately, there will be some stereotyping of Sikhs as a violent people on account of this sad event, which is certainly not what Sikhism represents. There is a military tradition among the Sikhs, but it arose as a matter of self-defense against Hindu and Muslim persecution in India.

Reinforcing a negative image of the Sikhs was the article written by Sun-Sentinel reporterDamon Adams. First, not all Sikhs are in favor of the creation of a Sikh state separate from India. Were it not for Sikh heroism, the various wars India has fought with Pakistan might not have been won. Second, while it is true that Sikhs were responsible for the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984, Mr. Adams makes no mention of the historical context: the events at the Golden Temple at Amritsar which provoked this assassination. Months prior to Gandhi's death, the Indian Army not only attacked Sikh militants at the Golden Temple, but also was responsible for the deaths of countless defenseless pilgrims there; they were not all Sikhs. Our faith encourages the practice of allowing and respecting the religious beliefs and rituals of others.

An example of Sikh courage: In World War II, many Indians fought for Britain against Nazi Germany, Italy, and Japan. Of 22 military crosses awarded to Indian troops for valor in combat, 14 were given to Sikhs. Please note that Sikhs constitute less than 2 percent of the Indian population.


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