Sikhism in Jammu and Kashmir

Sikhs have established communities in various regions of Jammu and Kashmir, where they have assumed significant roles, particularly during the Sikh dominion led by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the Khalsa army. They were renowned for their valor and their valuable contributions to the military. Nonetheless, they encountered difficulties during the Dogra administration and endured hardships when subjected to atrocities during the 1947 Kabali attacks.

Sikh protests in Jammu & Kashmir

Origin

The Sikhs residing in Jammu and Kashmir have their roots in the region, with a minority population originating from Punjab. The primary indigenous Sikh group in Jammu comprises individuals from the Poonch/Pothohar region of Pakistan, who sought refuge in Jammu during the tumultuous events of 1947. They are commonly referred to as "Poonchi." Additionally, there are Sikhs from Kashmir, known as "Kashmiri Sikhs," and some who migrated as refugees from Muzaffarabad, referred to as "Muzaffarabadi" or "Mushafrabadi" Sikhs.

These Sikhs predominantly speak Pahari Punjabi, which exhibits a distinct regional accent, setting it apart from the Punjabi dialect spoken in Punjab itself.

History

The forebearers of the Sikh community in the valley were indeed native to regions including Poonch/Pothohar, Rawalpindi, Muzzafrabad, and Kashmir. These early Sikh settlers represented a diverse range of castes, including Dutt's, Sasan's, Sudan's, Sadiwal's, Raina's, Reen's, Lou's, Bali's, and many more.

• Sikhs have a historical presence in Jammu and Kashmir, with their roots dating back several centuries.
• They played a significant role in the region, particularly during the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder and leader of the Sikh Empire in the early 19th century.

According to oral traditions, it is believed that Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth guru of the Sikhs, dispatched Bhai Pheru Singh Ji to Jammu and Kashmir with the mission of propagating the teachings of Guru Nanak in the region. As a result of his efforts, a significant number of people in Jammu and Kashmir embraced Sikhism and underwent the Sikh baptism, known as "Amrit."

Furthermore, during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a period of Sikh rule in the early 19th century, there was a migration of Sikhs from Punjab to Jammu and Kashmir. These Sikh migrants included Lubanas, Jatts (primarily Chahals, Deols, and Sandhus), and some Khatris (predominantly Sainis and Chawlas). However, it's important to note that these Sikh communities are a minority within the Sikh population in Jammu and Kashmir.

Demography

• The Sikh population in Jammu and Kashmir, while a minority compared to the Muslim and Hindu communities, is a notable and vibrant community.
• Sikhs are primarily concentrated in specific areas of the region, such as Jammu, Srinagar, and some parts of the Poonch and Rajouri districts.

In the 1951 census, the Punjabi-speaking community in Kashmir, which included both Sikhs and Hindus, numbered 1,827,971 individuals, accounting for approximately 40 percent or two out of every five people in the total recorded population of 4.6 million for the entire Kashmir region. However, there has been a consistent decrease in the Punjabi-speaking population, especially among the Sikh community, in Jammu and Kashmir since that time. According to the 2021 census data, the Sikh population stands at 234,848 individuals, while the Hindu population is recorded at 3,566,674.

The Sikh population in Jammu and Kashmir is estimated to be between 100,000 (as reported by The Hindu on February 13, 1998) and 180,000 (as reported by The Tribune on October 4, 1998). This Sikh population constitutes approximately 1.3 percent of the overall population, which stands at 13 million (as per Kashmir.net, no specific date provided). According to The Tribune, a newspaper based in Chandigarh, the Sikh community in Jammu and Kashmir faces divisions due to the proliferation of community organizations, with a recent example being the split between the J&K Akali Dal and the Gurdwara Prabandhak Board (reported on October 4, 1998).

The Unseen Community

The rich and varied tapestry of Jammu and Kashmir's society has, in recent times, evolved into a simplified classification: Kashmir symbolizing its Muslim population, Jammu representing the Dogra community, and Leh standing for the Buddhists. This categorization, while acknowledging the presence of Kashmiri Sikhs and Jammu Sikhs, tends to overshadow the unique regional aspirations and concerns of other significant groups, such as the Muslims in Jammu, the Muslims in Kargil, and the Hindus in Doda. Unfortunately, these communities often find themselves marginalized and unheard in the current narrative.

Approximately 70,000 Sikhs reside in the Kashmir Valley, while an estimated 150,000 Sikhs call Jammu their home. Within the Kashmir region, the Sikh community represents a minority population. In the Jammu area, a significant portion of Sikhs resides along the Line of Control (LOC), stretching from Kathua to Rajouri and Poonch. Living in proximity to the border is characterized by its inherent challenges, yet it remains a topic of continuous discussion among those residing in other parts of the country.

Notable Sikhs from J & K

Banda Singh Bahadur

Banda Singh Bahadur, a notable figure in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, was born in the Poonch region of the state, specifically in the Rajouri district. He is celebrated as a renowned Sikh leader who led significant military campaigns against the Mughal Empire in the early 18th century. Banda Singh Bahadur's fearless leadership and dedication to the Sikh faith left an indelible mark on the region's history. He is considered a notable individual native to Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, and his legacy continues to inspire and resonate with the Sikh community and the broader population of the region.

Ranjeet Singh Neeta

Ranjeet Singh Neeta, a notable figure hailing from the Jammu and Kashmir region, gained prominence as a leader within the Sikh militant organization known as the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF). Born in the state, his involvement in the KZF during the turbulent period of the Sikh insurgency in Punjab marked him as a significant native of Jammu and Kashmir associated with the broader historical context of Punjab's complex sociopolitical landscape. While his role is a subject of controversy, his association with the KZF reflects the intricate connections between individuals from the region and the larger events that unfolded in Punjab during that era.

Demand for Khalistan

fight with policemen

Ranjit Singh Neeta, a Jammu and Kashmir native, serves as the leader of the Khalistan Zindabad Force. He was included in India's list of the top 20 most wanted individuals in 2008. The organization primarily consists of Sikhs based in the Jammu region.

Incidents

1. Sikhs in the Kashmir Valley expressed their anger and outrage on Friday following the killing of a youth in the Jammu region on Thursday. Protests erupted, and pro-Khalistan slogans were raised, drawing condemnation from separatist groups as well. A gathering of Sikh protesters was observed at Srinagar's Press Enclave and at a gurdwara near Lal Chowk as they voiced their strong objection to the fatal incident. Many demonstrators carried posters featuring Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Notably, a police officer removing Bhindranwale's poster had triggered an incident two days prior, which resulted in the stabbing of a policeman and subsequent street protests in Jammu, leading to one fatality. One protester emphasized, "Bhindranwale was the leader of the Damdami Taksal and played a significant role in providing religious education to Sikhs. He remains deeply cherished in our hearts." Another protester warned, "We are wearing Bhindranwale T-shirts. Will they (the police) attempt to remove those as well? We are prepared to make sacrifices for him." In addition to expressing their dissent, the protesters chanted anti-government slogans and called for the immediate release of the youth detained by the police. The Valley-based Sikh organization, the All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC), expressed its concern over the incident and demanded a judicial inquiry along with the suspension of police officials believed to be involved in the killing. The spokesman for the APSCC alleged that these police officials had acted under the influence and direction of certain influential individuals associated with the government.
2. Simbal Camp in Jammu has emerged as a fertile breeding ground for the Khalistan movement and the dissemination of anti-India propaganda. Simbal Camp gained infamy when it became a hub for terrorist activities during the peak of the Punjab insurgency. Notably, it is the birthplace of Ranjeet Singh Neeta, the founder of the Khalistan Zindabad Force, who currently resides in Lahore and is one of India's top 20 most wanted individuals. In Simbal Camp, there is a prevailing sentiment that outsiders are not welcome in the area. In 2015, a violent incident occurred when the police removed a poster of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, which had been erected by the Sikh Naujawan Sabha, Simbal Camp. This organization had been consistently displaying such banners, urging Sikhs to commemorate the anniversary of Operation Bluestar for many years. However, the Sikh Naujawan Sabha placed blame on the RSS for instigating these conflicts. Intelligence agencies have long raised concerns about these issues and have pointed out that Simbal Camp has harbored various anti-national elements. The fact that the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) chose to launch their Referendum 2020 campaign from Simbal Camp suggests that either a significant number of SFJ members have infiltrated the area or are closely affiliated with the camp, which is in close proximity to the Pakistan border.

Religious institutions

Jammu and Kashmir is home to several historic and significant Sikh gurdwaras (places of worship), including the Chatti Patshahi Gurdwara in Srinagar and the Gurdwara Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Jammu. These gurdwaras are not only places of worship but also centers of community and cultural activities for the Sikh population.

List of Gurudwaras in Jammu

1. Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha
   • Location: Guru Nanak Nagar, Jammu
   • Description: One of the prominent and busiest Gurdwaras in the western suburbs of Jammu, located west of the Tawi River.
2. Gurdwara Baba Fateh Singh Ji
   • Location: Gandhi Nagar, Jammu
   • Description: The Gurdwara's building was expanded during the second decade of the twenty-first century to serve the sangat (congregation) from Gandhi Nagar. It is situated less than half a kilometer from Gol Market.
3. Gurdwara Kalgidhar Sahib
   • Location: Rehari, Jammu
   • Description: This Gurdwara is located near the Rehari locality, situated along the busy national highway.
4. Dera Baba Banda Bahadur
   • Location: Reasi
   • Description: This Gurdwara Sahib is historically associated with Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, who hailed from Jammu. It is situated in Reasi District on the banks of the River Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir, with the postal code 185201.
5. Gurdwara Sahib Rocha Singh Pura
   • Location: Batote
   • Description: Gurdwara Sahib Rocha Singh Pura is located near the town of Batote in District Doda, Jammu and Kashmir, with the postal code 182143.
6. Gurdwara Dhehri Sahib
   • Location: Poonch
   • Description: This Gurdwara Sahib boasts a rich history spanning over 200 years and is situated along the Poonch-Rawalkot highway.

List of Gurudwaras in Kashmir

1. Gurdwara Guru Nanak Dev Ji
   • Location: Awantipora
   • Description: Situated near the banks of the Jhelum River on National Highway in Awantipora, approximately 32km from Srinagar city in Pulwama district, South Kashmir.
2. Gurdwara Shaheed Bunga Sahib
   • Location: Bhagat, Srinagar
   • Description: Located in the Baghat locality of Srinagar, Kashmir, approximately 6km from the tourist reception center. Constructed in memory of Sikh soldiers during the Sikh rule in Kashmir.
3. Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi
   • Location: Baramulla
   • Description: Situated on the banks of the River Jhelum in Baramulla.
4. Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Charan Asthan
   • Location: Beerwah
   • Description: Located approximately 36km from the tourist reception center in Srinagar, in the district of Budgam.
5. Gurdwara Guru Nanak Sahib
   • Location: Bijbehara
6. Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi/Thara Sahib Kalampura
   • Location: Kalampura, Baramulla district
   • Description: Located near the village of Singhpora Kalan, about 12km from Baramulla town center.
7. Gurdwara Guru Nanak Dev Ji - Mattan Sahib
   • Location: Mattan, Anantnag district
   • Description: Situated in the ancient town of Mattan, approximately 60km from Srinagar in Anantnag district.
8. Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi, Parampila
   • Location: Parampila, Uri
   • Description: Located approximately 7.2km by road from the tourist reception center of Uri town.
9. Gurdwara Shaheed Marag, Satrina
   • Location: Satrina, Rafiabad, Baramulla
   • Description: Situated in the village of Satrina, Rafiabad tehsil, in Baramulla district, approximately 16-20km by road from Baramulla railway station.