WEAPONIZE THE WOMEN to save them from OFFICIALS/ELECTED RULERS sexual OFFENSES:
 From: gurmukh singh <sewauk2005@yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: [sikh_news_discussion] "CASTE" debate attacking Sikh ideology
To: "Sikh News Discussion" <sikh_news_discussion@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Monday, 22 April, 2013, 11:43 
My column in the Panjab Times this week:  
“CASTE” DEBATE ATTACKING SIKH IDEOLOGY  
Regrettably, today some in Sikhi bana are sitting next to Hindutva elements to oppose caste legislation, albeit, from their viewpoint, for common reasons.  They are wrong from a Sikhi viewpoint, no matter what the outcome of the caste debate in the Parliament.  Regrettably, even the Sikh Council UK has not been able to make its own independent stand clear, despite much consultation.  There are some basic questions which need to be asked and answered.  The following four have been suggested:  
        First question: “Do we oppose caste and caste based discrimination ?  Sikh answer has to be "Yes". 
          The second question is, “Do we then support the underlyingspirit of any move, including legislation,  if considered absolutely necessary, to eliminate "caste" as a  degrading Bipran/Manuwaadic practice to divide and exploit the so called “lower castes”? The answer has to be a firm Sikhi based "Yes, Sikhs should support any such move to eliminate caste distinctions”. 
       The third question is,  “Do we believe that in UK, legislation is the best way forward ?  The answer provokes thought and prompts social research of the community trends in the UK.  We see evolving socio-economic trends in next generations and much social interaction across caste and social class divides.  The answer in the short run is that, most probably legal measures are not required.  In fact, caste legislation can be counterproductive, because legislation would enshrine "caste" in UK law through legal "definition" and by creating a "protected category" like "religion". 
       The fourth question is, “ If legislation was ultimately necessary and the definition of “caste” in the proposed amendment to the Equality Act 2010, was changed (in the Sikh case to drop reference to Sikhs on a point of principle) would this be acceptable?  Sikh answer would be "Yes".
      The above is more or less the Sikhi based approach adopted by Sikh Council UK; but which has yet to be communicated to the opposing groups i.e. those now “opposing” the change in law against caste discrimination, with the support of Hindu forums; against those who are strongly in favour of legislation to stop caste discrimination; but not realising that the amendment is based on mistaken research and misrepresents the Sikh position.
       With mischief aforethought, some used to working with Hindu groupings behind the scenes, are confusing the Sikh Council’s agreed line by mentioning Sikh Council in their communications as sympathetic or even supportive to their cause.  Nothing could be further from the real position adopted by the Council.     
     I do hope we are able to convey the above independent Sikh Council approach to the UK Government and Parliament without feeling the urge to sit next to forums of other religious communities.  On the question caste, only the Sikh ideology has condemned caste.  The Sikh position is independent and we do not share any common ground with other Indian religions.  
Gurmukh Singh