Sikh Myths and Corresponding Facts

1. Sikhs are dumb

Explanation:The hordes of jokes targeted at the sikh community, also called sardar jokes have depicted the Sikhs as stupid, that they take time to understand even the most basic of instructions. It has become a stereotype attached to Sikhs, just as it is to Blondes.

2. Sikhs go mad at 12 oclock

Explanation:The phrase “sikhon ke baarah baj gaye” refers to the fact that Sikhs lose their mind when the clock strikes 12. This myth has some roots in fact. The story behind it goes back to the times of the mughal rule when the mughal armies would loot the villages and take away riches and women from there. The Sikhs, hiding in the jungles at the time, would wait for 12 in the noon (peak heat time in summer) or 12 in the night when the armies would be resting. They would then attack the armies at this peak time in order to rescue the girls. They rescued girls irrespective of their religions and escorted them safely to their respective homes. Perhaps this extraordinary act of the Sikhs was what made others say that they “lost their minds”.

3. All that Sikhs are famous for is drinking alcohol and eating meat.

Explanation:Every community has its own habits and lifestyle. Punjab is one of the states most famous of agriculture and has an extreme climate. As a result, most of the people staying in Punjab are farmers. In order to perform the physically demanding job in the extreme winters of Punjab, the Punjabis have a heavy diet of meat and consume alcohol to keep them warm. Some do exploit this and that is what has lead to this attitude against Punjabis in general and Sikhs in particular.

4. Sikhism brought nothing new to the world that which hadn't already existed in Islam or Hinduism.

5. Sikhism is a light version of Hinduism.

Explanation:This myth has its root in the fact that the gurus of Sikhism were born into Hindu families. But that is where the similarities end. Sikhism discards idol worship and rituals of all kinds. While Hinduism worships a multitude of Gods, Sikhism believes in One God or Akal Purakh. Sikhism rejects the Vedas as religious authority and has established the Guru Granth Sahib as the authority. This Holy Scripture includes the utterances not only of the Gurus but also of other saints from other religions across barriers of caste and religions.

6. Sikhism is a militant religion.

Explanation:Sikhs are born fighters and have been an integral part of the Indian Armed Forces ever since independence. This leads many to believe that Sikhism is by nature, militant. But that is not true. Just as islam does not preach terrorism, Sikhism does not preach fighting. The Tenth Guru created the Saint-Soldiers or the Warrior-leaders in the 17th century when there was a need for the Sikhs to fight for justice and for their survival. The warriors he created were extremely passionate about justice and were unmatched in their skill and agility when it came to war. This skill and passion for their motherland makes Sikhs some of the best Army officials in India, and is perhaps also the reason for the myth.

7. Sikhs live a very lavish and flamboyant lifestyle.

Explanation:During the time of partition and later after Operation Blue Star, Sikhs have migrated to different parts of India as well as the world. Sikhism and the Holy book condemn begging and stealing. There is highest value to hard work and honesty. Thus, Sikhs have worked hard and created their own living and whatever conditions they have stayed. This has led to their affluence and therefore has given rise to this myth.