"Gangsterism" and violence in the name of Sikhi: A Sikh perspective...

ਜੋ ਸਿੱਖ, ਸਿੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਣ ਕੇ ਕੈਦ ਕਰਾਏ, ਲੁਟਾਏ, ਮਰਵਾਏ, ਸੋ ਦੈਂਤ ਜਾਨਣਾ । - Tankhahnama Bhai Choupa Singh Shibber 

Author: Bhai Jasjit Singh Ji, New Jersey

The current situation in the Panth of Sikhs fighting amongst themselves leading to Beadbi (disrespect) of the Dastaar, pulling of Kes, killings, and committing assassination attempts on fellow Sikh Gur-bhais (Guru-joined brothers), is sure a sad state. In fact, it points to the uprising of the  Malechh (fake imposters).

Daas was going through Rehatnamay (Sikh codes of conduct) and there are very hard Bachans (words) towards those Sikhs who commit and indulge in such acts against other Sikhs. Tankhaahnama Bhai Chuapa Singh mentions those accounts as very much against Sikhi, resulting in one becoming a Thankhaiya (liable for religious disciplinary action, including socio-religious boycott).

1) ਜੋ ਸਿਖ, ਸਿੱਖ ਦੇ ਦਾੜ੍ਹੇ ਹੱਥ ਪਾਏ, ਸੋ ਭੀ ਤਨਖਾਹੀਆ ।   
"A Sikh who pulls another Sikh's beard is a Thankhaiya."

2) ਜੋ ਸਿਖ, ਸਿੱਖ ਦੇ ਕੇਸਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਹੱਥ ਪਾਏ, ਸੋ ਭੀ ਤਨਖਾਹੀਆ ।
"A Sikh who pulls another Sikh's Kes (hair) is a Thankhaiya."

3) ਜੋ ਸਿਖ ਨਾਲ ਹੱਥੋਂ-ਪਾਈ-ਲੜਾਈ ਕਰੇ, ਸੋ ਭੀ ਤਨਖਾਹੀਆ ।
"One who gets involved in a physical fight with a Sikh is a Thankhaiya."

For the above three you can imagine how many Thankhaiye are out there now. How can we talk about the Chardi Kala of the Panth? The following code talks about one who doesn’t stop the fight even if asked by a fellow Sikh is also a Thankhaiya:

4) ਜੋ ਦੁਇ ਸਿਖ ਆਪਸ ਵਿਚ ਲੜਨ, ਸਿੱਖ ਮਨ੍ਹਾ ਕਰਨ ਅਤੇ ਲੜਾਈ ਨਾ ਛਡਣ, ਸੋ ਤਨਖਾਈਏ ।    
"When two Sikhs are fighting amongst themselves and a Sikh tells them not to but they continue, they are Thankhaiye."

The next Bachan is even stronger:

5) ਜੋ ਸਿੱਖ ਸਿੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਣ ਕੇ ਕੈਦ ਕਰਾਏ, ਲੁਟਾਏ, ਮਰਵਾਏ, ਸੋ ਦੈਂਤ ਜਾਨਣਾ ।   
"A Sikh who intentionally sends to prison, loots, or kills another Sikhs, should be recognised as a demon."

Furthermore, it says one who has close contact with them are Thankhaiye too. Not Just Thankhaiya but "Bemukh Thankhaiya". Be-mukh means one who turned their face away from the Guru, i.e. an apostate:

6) ਗੁਰੂ ਕੇ ਸਿਖ ਐਸੇ ਨਾਲ ਨਾ ਵਰਤਣ, ਬੇਮੁਖ ਤਨਖਾਹੀਆ ।   
"A Sikh of the Guru should not associated with such a person, otherwise they are Bemukh Thankhaiya."

In light of above Rehatnamay (codes of conduct), the recent killing of Bhai Bhupinder Singh is committed by none other than a Daint (demon). They can’t even be called Sikh. Whoever supports them or keeps relation with such people are also BEMUKH Thankhaiye.

May Guru Sahib save us from this dark age of Kaljug and Malechha da Naas Hovay.

Daas,
Jasjit Singh