Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Official Report 677KB pdf

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Time for Reflection

Good afternoon. The first item of business is time for reflection, which is led today by Rashpal Nottay of the Scottish Inter Faith Council.

Thank you for inviting me. It is my great honour and privilege to be here today to lead time for reflection at the Scottish Parliament.

Ladies and gentlemen, I came to Scotland in 1985. When I was invited to join the equalities forum by the City of Edinburgh Council about 20 years ago, I remember that there were few women from a minority background represented at the forum. Times have changed, and now there are many women in leadership positions in Edinburgh. Today, I will be talking about the contribution that Sikhism brings to gender equality.

A great difference between the roles of men and women exists in modern societies. When the first Guru came into light, the role assigned to the female gender was low and unpleasant. In the 15th century, Guru Nanak set up Sikhism. It was the first religion that advocated equality of all people, especially women, and it challenged the caste system. However, prejudices and injustices based on gender still exist. Even today, in the 21st century, it has been difficult to achieve equality.

At the time of the first Guru, Guru Nanak, most Indian women were ill treated and oppressed by their society. They had no freedom or education to make decisions, and their presence in religious, political, social, cultural and economic affairs was practically non-existent. The role of the woman was only to give birth, do household work and serve the male members of society.

Guru Nanak condemned that male-constructed ideology of the inferior status of women and protested against their long subjugation. The ultimate truth was revealed to Guru Nanak through a mystic experience, in direct communication with God. Guru Nanak conveys this truth through bani, Sikh scripture.

“In a woman man is conceived,

From a woman he is born,

With a woman he is betrothed and married,

With a woman he contracts friendship,

Why denounce her, the one from whom even kings are born?

From a woman a woman is born,

None may exist without a woman.”

The Sikh Gurus provided women with equal status. They were given equality and religious freedom.

In Indian history, Sikhism was the first religion that granted religious freedom to women. Religious gatherings and kirtan were open to women, who could participate fully in religious ceremonies and receive the baptism—amrit—on equal terms with men. Guru Amar Das Ji authorised some women for missionary work. Guru Hargobind Ji called woman “the equal to man”. In religious gatherings, men and women sang and preached without any disparity.

The practice of female infanticide and sati was very common in India. Guru Amar Das Ji condemned the ancient practice of female infanticide and the immolation of a wife at her husband’s funeral to become sati. Sometimes a wife was encouraged and forced to burn herself at her husband’s funeral to become sati.

A woman was regarded as temptation incarnate. The widow was considered to be cursed and allowed only the basics that she needed to live. The Gurus exposed the folly of such notions. They rehabilitated women in Indian society. They advocated that widows should be allowed to marry. Guru Teg Bahadur blessed the women of Amritsar and said that by their devotion they had made themselves “acceptable to God”. Sikh history furnishes the names of many women who inspired men to heroic deeds.

Sikhism was a liberating force for women in Indian society.

“God! Save by Your Grace this world which is in flames.

Save it by whatever way it can be saved.”