Q: What does Sikhism say about the Caste System followed by Hindus?

A: Sikhism denounces any and all caste sytems.

Without any doubt the caste system followed by many Hindus has separated mankind into different parts. The Sikh way of life is about considering all humans equal, regardless of their race, color, class, gender or religion. All the Gurus of Sikhs have been strong supporter of equality and all of them rejected the separation among mankind. “Your Light is the light in all beings, O Creator. All Your Expanse are True” (Guru Granth Sahib, 1314). God’s light (soul) is within all and there is no difference between the souls of the humans from different races or class.

Furthermore, “All beings and creatures are His; He belongs to all” (Guru Granth Sahib, 425). There is no different between the human races, all are equal and all are His creation and He belongs to all. In addition, “Recognize the Lord's Light within all, and do not consider social class or status; there are no classes or castes in the world hereafter” (Guru Granth Sahib, 349). Bhai Gurdas Ji writes “The special feature of the Sikh of the Guru is that he goes beyond the framework of caste classification and moves in humility. Then his labor becomes acceptable at the door of God” (Gurdas Ji’s Vaars, 1).

The Gurus made every attempt possible to eliminate the caste system. Langar was established, where all people gather to eat food sitting together. Furthermore, by hearing the lastname one could distinguish which caste the person is from, Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave all sikh men the lastname "Singh" and all Sikh women the lastname "Kaur". Everyone is considered equal in Sikhism.


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