What Sikhs believe
BY KULPREET SINGH, CALGARY HERALDMAY 3, 2010
Re: “Simmi’s distress hidden in diary,” Valerie Fortney, Opinion, April 30.
I was shocked and confused to read in Valerie Fortney’s column that Harsimrat Kahlon “was not a victim of her culture and religion, acting out extreme Sikh beliefs that female children are a burden because of the prohibitive cost of dowries, or that pregnant, single women are a shame on society.” This is a false statement about Sikh beliefs. Female infanticide is an epidemic in India and particularly in Punjab. However, it has nothing to do with Sikh beliefs. Female infanticide is rooted in patriarchy and the selfish, immature behaviour of heartless people, not in faith teachings. The Sikh code of conduct even forbids sharing a meal with somebody who has killed his or her daughter. Sikhs cut off all forms of communication with “daughter-killers” because this is such a heinous crime. It is inexcusable for a journalist to mix up culture and religion. The Indian patriarchal caste-based culture may allow for female infanticide, but Sikh beliefs condemn this act.
Nor are single women a shame on society. Sikh women are exalted and equal to men in Sikh teachings. Women can marry or remain single as they choose, and dowry is prohibited. Fortney is correct that mental illness is often overlooked, especially in the South Asian community, and we appreciate her effort to highlight this. We need to pay better attention to providing support for people in the community with mental health issues.
Kulpreet Singh,
Richmond, B.C.
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