r/Sikhpolitics

Just as a disclaimer: I'am not sikh, in fact I'am agnostic

I live near Chandigarh and commute there daily, on the way I have seen a kind of camp site(made by nihang sikhs), over some long standing protest(I don't exactly remember). Over there I have noticed that they have posters hanging which have the photos of designated terrorists(by the indian government) like Jarnail Singh Bhinderanwale and Amrit Pal SIngh(not convicted yet)

Now I know that many sikh people consider them as religious leaders(they might have their own reasons to do so), but let's not forget the attrocities commited by Jarnail Singh on moderate sikhs and hindus in the insurgency period in the Punjab's history. Buses were stopped in mid-way, people killed on the basis of their religion(kinda like pahalgam) Ofc I accept that Sikhs did face a lot of oppression from other people too, but did that make it okay to kill innocent people which had nothing to do with it?? I agree that the Sikhs also faced a lot of hate over the course of history.

Knowing such history, is it okay for them to hang such posters? I mean personally I find it a bit indifferent to the innocent people who died in the insurgency period.

What are your thoughts??

I’m a Sikh guy and honestly sometimes it feels like no matter what we do, society judges us.

If we keep our beard and follow Sikhi fully, some people call us “junglee,” “terrorist,” “uncle,” or say girls won’t like us because we don’t fit modern beauty standards.

But if we trim or cut our beard, suddenly some people from our own community start acting like they’re the judges of Sikhi. They bully, shame, mock, and make you feel like you betrayed your identity. Especially those fake moral-policing types who act religious online but behave horribly in real life.

What confuses me is this:
If cutting a beard is considered such a huge sin according to Gurbani, then what about:

• Alcohol?
• Lust and sexualizing women?
• Making fun of others?
• Cheating and lying?
• Ego and selfishness?
• Treating people badly?
• Fake spirituality just for image?

Why do some people only focus on appearance while ignoring basic humanity and values?

I did cut my beard, and I’m not proud or ashamed of it — I’m just trying to survive mentally in a society where you get judged from both sides. Sometimes it feels like Sikh guys are stuck between modern expectations and community pressure.

I still respect Sikhi deeply. But I think compassion, humility, and kindness matter too. Bullying someone in the name of religion only pushes people further away.

Has anyone else felt this conflict?

I’ve been reflecting recently on the growing backlash toward Punjabi/Sikh immigration in countries like Canada, Australia, and now Portugal (see video).

To be clear: racism and xenophobia are never justified. But I also don’t think it helps us as a community to dismiss all criticism as simply anti-brown racism.

Immigration at scale creates tensions everywhere, and community behaviour/integration does play a role in how groups are perceived over time.

As a 3rd generation British Punjabi/Malaysian Sikh, I grew up with Sikhs generally being viewed very positively in the UK. That reputation was built over decades through hard work, integration, contribution to society, and maintaining dignity while still preserving identity.

I wonder whether some diaspora communities worldwide are now struggling with that balance due to the speed and scale of migration, social media amplification, poor integration, and wider economic pressures.

This isn’t about attacking our own people, but I think it’s in all of our best interests to ask honest questions:

- What does good integration look like?
- How do we preserve Sikh identity while respecting local culture?
- What can older diaspora communities teach newer ones?
- Are there conversations we avoid having because they’re uncomfortable?

I care deeply about the long-term reputation of Sikhs globally, which is why I think these conversations matter.

First of all, this isn't something I personally believe. I don't see myself as either hateful of Sikhs or jews. This is something that a friend of mine believes. He is not religious and he is not ethnically Jewish but he has a lot of Jewish friends, including one or two from Israel, and he believes this. I am guessing this is what they have said to him. I am from the UK & he is from the UK & Ireland.

I understand that this isn't really true as the Kirpan is basically meant to signify justice and protecting others. It's not used in a violent way in a similar way that I carry a Swiss army knife and don't use it for violence. I've known/met a lot of Sikh people, as they are common where I live. I also was taught about it at school when I was 10 since I grew up in a very diverse part of South East England.

Is there some anti Sikh sentiment from Israeli or Jewish communities? Have any of you experienced this for yourself?

What do we think how will it affect us ???
Here’s my take :

1. whilst they are doing a good thing reducing sharia law and halal meat which benefits us , especially since they actively want to tackle the grooming cases it’s beneficial

2. on the flip side , do they acc see Sikhs as differ to Muslims is the question ? They’ll treat us just as bad ??? Even though some of their politicians are also immigrants .

3. the guy that got voted in Essex who tweeted that the assault of the Sikh woman by a white man was good . Why isn’t any action being taken against him??? So far only heard Sikh organisations spread awareness but have they filed a lawsuit???? Furthermore, the media in the uk is turning a blind eye to Sikh issues , whilst so many grooming cases have come to light especially in the West Midlands they should be making it to national news to make it aware to everyone whats happening.
   Perpetrators should be caught and Sikh youth uk should be merited for their work which is far better than what the police are doing?

What do u guys think is reform acc better for British Sikhs? Or will it lead to more violence ???