"CASTE" debate attacking Sikh ideology
 Caste legislation is flawed, but are Sikhs this desperate to oppose the amendment to the Equalities Act 2010? 
 It seems we have some very desperate Sikhs seeking the support of our Hindu brothers, not to condemn and eliminate "caste" but to oppose caste legislation! 
Bearing in mind that total transparency in Sikh affairs is one of the Sikh Council's underlying objectives, please let me know what is wrong with the following passed on to the Sikh Council UK through the Secretary General (one of the copy recipients):
>From: Bharti Tailor <bharti@rgenterprises.co.uk>
>Date: 21 April 2013 13:10:32 BST
>To: "jasdev@bscf.org" <jasdev@bscf.org>
Dear Jasdevji, Thank you for your email. 
>I agree with the idea and proposal in general. I would however suggest an adjustment in the groups involved. 
>There have been two lobbies campaigning against the Legislation in the Broadly Hindu and Jain communities.
>AHO which is an umbrella of umbrella organisations.
>And the ACLC which is a specific campaign group only for this issue. Grassroots membership includes 150K+ 'lower caste' people some of whom have never joined a Hindu umbrella body, ever.
>So my suggestion is to formulate the group as follows:
>Sikhs as you have already decided: BSCF and Sikh Council
 >of the Hindus: AHO and ACLC
>The other suggestion I have is that instead of caste or 'caste like' you change the term to 'descent based'. As I pointed out to you on the phone under the Race element of equalities 'Heredity' is already mentioned so this is a bit of naval gazing but there it is.
>Please let me know if my suggestion makes sense. as you know my fear is that once established, groups with same names may start fighting and we will have the issue of identifying Spartacus!!
>Yours in Prayer
>Bharti
 >Ms BHARTI TAILOR BA HON. 
>Ms Tailor is currently a Member of the European Council of Religious Leaders and serving as President of the Hindu Forum of Europe.
>Contact details: bharti@rgenterprises.co.uk  Mobile: 0044 (0)7736 704383

--- On Mon, 22/4/13, gurmukh singh <sewauk2005@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
 WEAPONIZE THE WOMEN to save them from OFFICIALS/ELECTED RULERS sexual OFFENSES:
 From: gurmukh singh <sewauk2005@yahoo.co.uk>
 "CASTE" debate attacking Sikh ideology
To: "Sikh News Discussion" <sikh_news_discussion@yahoogroups.co 
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