“Reducing Punjab to Sikhi does history no justice”, First Post, August 01, 2026
“here is a kind of civilisational amnesia when we talk about Punjab. For most Bharatiyas, Punjab is synonymous with Sikhi. Due to limited knowledge and lack of information, many people outside Punjab feel that all Punjabis are Sikhs. In fact, I have been asked many times, even in places like Mumbai, if I am Punjabi, why am I not wearing a ‘pagri’?
When we discuss the problems of Punjab, we frame them around Sikh identity. We forget that despite Khalistan 1.0, leading to a large exodus of Hindus, they still constitute around 38-40 per cent of Punjab’s population. Till some years ago, Punjabis used to refer to Sikhs as keshdharis and others like me as monnas (those keeping unshorn hair and those who are shorn of hair, respectively). Families intermarried, and one son used to be dedicated to the Guru (to be turned Sikh). It was called a relationship like that between the nail and the skin.
There is no doubt that the Sikh Panth has enriched Punjab and Bharatiya civilisation. The bold reforms of Guru Nanak Dev ji and the creation of the sword arm of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh ji have given Punjab and Punjabis a distinct identity……..”
Read full article at firstpost.com
