Why aren’t Sikh women allowed to do seva?
Reeta Sharma

IT is ironical that despite the fact that all 10 Sikh Gurus have preached about the equal status of women, a handful of feudalistic Sikhs have been successful in disallowing women from performing seva inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple. Before I delve into this issue, allow me to mention the role played by women in Sikh history:

Bibi Nanaki, sister of Guru Nanak, was the first person to recognise the spirituality of Guru Nanak Dev and became his first disciple.

Mata Sulakhani participated as Guru Nanak's partner to assist him in his preachings.

Mata Khivi, wife of Guru Angad Dev, helped the Guru at Khadoor Sahib by increasing the popularity of the tradition of offering langar (free community kitchen).

Bibi Bhani did seva at Goindwal Sahib with her father Guru Amar Das and her husband Guru Ramdas. She also took care of Guru Amar Das.

Mata Gang did seva of the Sikh sangat alongside Guru Arjan Dev. She played a pivotal role in establishing Kiratpur with Guru Hargobind and served the sangat during the time of Guru Hargobind, Gur Hari Rai and Guru Harkrishan Sahib.

Mata Gujri, wife of Guru Teg Bahadhur, also served as an equal alongside her husband and single-handedly ran the household and served the sangat for 27 years, when the Guru was immersed in meditation. She was the force and spirit behind the bravery of the Sahibzadas who were martyred at Sirhind.

Mata Sahib Kaur ran the langar during the time of Guru Gobind Singh and she was given the title of Mother of the Khalsa Panth.

Mata Bhag Kaur was instrumental in persuading the Guru to tear up the letter of 40 Sikh soldiers, who had written about 'disowning and deserting ' the Guru at the instance of Bhai Maha Singh.

The above examples illustrate the rich heritage of the Sikhs. The instances indicate that Sikhism is not only a modern religion but also an extremely progressive religion.

Although at present the question that has arisen is whether women can perform this seva in the Darbar Sahib or not, the more important query that all true Sikhs must answer is why women were never made to participate in seva for all these years. Why was the absence of Sikh women in Darbar Sahib during the performance of seva never noticed? Why were they not encouraged to participate along with the men?

The role of the handful of SGPC members could have remained concealed but for the two devout England-based Sikh women, Mejinderpal Kaur and Lakhbir Kaur, who were "assaulted" and not allowed to do seva at the Golden Temple during sukhasan (ceremony of carrying the Guru Granth Sahib in a palanquin). It is admirable that instead of taking it lying down, they fought back bravely. It is heartening to observe that a majority of the Sikh men have supported their cause, quoting Gurus who preached equality among men and women.

It now remains for the true Sikhs within the SGPC to expose the black sheep amongst them, who have worked against the preaching of the Gurus. Despite an order issued by the Sikh clergy in February 1996, allowing baptised Sikh women to perform seva at the Golden Temple, Mejinder Kaur and Lakhbir Kaur were not allowed to do the same. They were not even allowed to queue up alongside men to participate in the 'palanquin' ceremony. It is ironical that despite the existence of such a directive from the clergy, one Personal Assistant, Raghbir Singh, should lie about the very existence of such a directive.

On the contrary, Prof Manjit Singh, the then acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, recalls taking a jatha (group) of women to implement the directive of the Sikh clergy. He was then accompanied by Giani Kewal Singh, former Jathedar, Takht Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda). That was done to ensure that baptised Sikh women were allowed to do seva, as per the February 1996 directive. Yet, Raghbir Singh continues to maintain that the SGPC has never received any such directive.

The present Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, was the head priest of the Golden Temple, when he put his signature to the directive allowing baptised women to perform seva. The Akal Takht secretariat has received messages from all over the world to implement this directive of the Sikh clergy.

On being rebuked by SGPC sewadars for daring to do seva, both Mejinder Kaur and Lakhbir Kaur once again displayed their spirit by lodging a complaint with Akal Takht. They maintain the two of them had come all the way do seva on the personal assurance of Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, during his visit to England.

Interestingly, the Sikh clergy directive while issuing instructions of dress code has this to say, "At the time of seva, women ought to bring one male member of their family along with them." This instruction also smacks of gender discrimination, as there is no such direction for men.

Meanwhile, Mejinder and Lakhbir are trying to spread awareness about Sikhism to ensure that there is no discrimination against Sikh women at the Golden Temple.