Dear Baksho

Question Time

Dear Baksho, I recently went to a wedding. But I was shocked to find that the girls’ parents had tried to save a few quid by not providing us with any booze. Come on, us Sikhs are renowned for having a good piss up. Is there anything that can be done to prevent this happening again?
Firstly, I’d like to give a big up to the girl’s family. It’s about time we tried to break a notion which Sikhs are renowned for today. Unfortunately we live in an age where cultural traditions have been confused and combined with religious ceremonies. Drinking alcohol even in small quantities to enjoy its effect is against Sikh principles. Alcohol and liquor are forbidden because of their ill effects on the mind and body. On one hand we are getting married in front our Guru, asking for their blessing then straight away after the formalities have been done we go and get drunk. So bring on the non-alcoholic weddings!

Dear Baksho, my Legs hurt sitting on the floor, why can’t we have chairs in the main hall and langar hall. We’re not in the 17th Century any more?
All people irrespective of their status sit on the floor as a sign of equality as opposed to chairs and the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is always installed on a higher level as a sign of respect. Furthermore, on April 20, 1998, a HukamNama (edict) was issued from the Supreme Temporal Authority of the Sikhs, Akal Takhat Sahib, and directed all Sikh Gurdwaras to follow the centuries old tradition of partaking Guru-Ka-Langar in the form of a Pangat (on the floor.)
The HukamNama directed all Gurdwara’s worldwide to remove any chairs and tables used for consuming Langar.

Dear Baksho, if God is everywhere how come my mom and dad make me go to the temple, especially on Sundays? Come on, Sunday is the day of rest!
The Sikh place of worship is known as a Gurdwara not temple and means door of the Guru. As Sikhs we go to the Gurdwara to receive guidance from Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Sikhs bow down in front of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, this is a humbling process and teaches Sikhs to revere the teachings of our great Guru and obey them. In regards to Sundays, everyday is the same for all Sikhs and I agree, Sunday is a day of rest!

Dear Baksho, how am I meant to do mutha tek if my socks have a hole in them?
Shoes and socks are to be removed before entering the main worship hall where Guru Granth Sahib Ji is present. Shoes are removed as they carry dirt and socks are removed due to hygiene. In India all those entering Gurdwara’s have to wash their feet (unfortunately this practice is not common place in the west, but advised).

Dear Baksho, I’m a 14 year old girl who used to wear my Kara at school, until recently. My teacher has told me to remove it as it poses a health and safety risk to other students. Is he right to do this?
Recently in the U.K, case law confirms that Sikhs do have a legal right to wear their Kara at school. The case of Sara-Watkins Singh was held in favour of the Sikh girl who was told that she was not allowed to wear her Kara at school, as it did not adhere to their jewellery procedure. Schools are no longer allowed to ask you to remove your Kara.

Dear Baksho, I know that it is important to cover your head, but then why doesn’t my dad let me wear a cap or durag instead of a turban?
The Dastaar (turban) is not only to be regarded as a means of covering our heads, the Dastaar is a crown that denotes our royal heritage. Do you really want to give up your crown in favour of a Nike baseball cap? When walking down the street everyone knows you are a Sikh. Have you ever noticed what they call you? Sardaar Ji. With a Dastaar you can never be mistaken for anything else but a Sikh. Wear your Dastaar with pride.

Dear Baksho, I am a regular in my school football team. But one part of my game that is letting me down is struggling to head the ball with my guti, as my hair sometimes opens. Have you got any tips?

Practice a bit more, or ask your mum to tie your guti a bit tighter.

Dear Baksho, why is it that most gianis have beer bellies?
Well, I don’t really think it’s a beer belly. But I’ll have to ask your uncle Mangi because he has the same problem; and remember never judge a giani by his appearance.

Dear Baksho, I am a 19 year old girl who wants to get married to my life long friend Jassi (not his real name), but my parents have told me that I’m not allowed, as he’s a farmer (but he suffers from hay fever), and little did I know, but I am supposed to be a carpenter (but don’t ask me the difference between a jigsaw or a chisel). Are my parents being fair?
I think that your parents know best! Only joking…well my Guru says that we shouldn’t differentiate between people based on caste. The caste system is a Hindu tradition which our Gurus denounced. We are to treat all human beings as equal.

Dear Baksho, I recently travelled abroad to the USA, while going through boarding I was given a full body search, which wasn’t a problem. The problem was, security asked me to remove my turban in front of everyone. I was hugely embarrassed, were they right to do this?
If you go through airport security, security are only allowed to search your turban with a metal detector hand wand. If the detector alarms and you are asked to remove your turban, you are legally allowed to ask to do this in a private area. If they ask to pat down your turban, always request to pat down your own turban first, which they should allow you to do.

Dear Baksho, what is that brown sweet stuff that you get when you go to the temple and how come people stare at me funny when it drops on the floor? A couple of times I’ve rubbed it into the carpet, but once a baba told me off. Was I wrong?

I think the brown stuff you are referring to is known as Karah Parshad (I hope).

Karah Parshad is divine food made from equal proportions of water, flour, ghee and sugar. It was first produced by Guru Nanak Dev Ji when angels came to test the Guru by asking him for some food to eat, the angels purposely had no teeth and thought they could trick the Guru, but the true Guru could not be outdone, so he made this sweet meal which they could all easily consume. Karah Parshad is blessed in the Gurdwara in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, during the Ardas by a Sikh placing a Kirpan (ceremonial dagger) into the offer and drawing it back out, Sikhs believe that if the sweet meal has been cooked with true devotion the Guru will eat it himself and bless it.
When we drop parshad on the floor, it should be picked up and eaten out of respect because the food has been blessed by God. The baba was unfortunately right in telling you off.

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