03 February 2009

Reading The SRM


If you are a regular reader, you might notice that, for the first time, something has displaced our dedication. A poll. I love polls. I'm afraid my readers don't. Please indulge me this time. I am really very curious whether Sikhs actually read the SRM (Sikh Rehat Maryada). And when I get curious, I take action.

This is not a scientific poll, but any means. To begin with, my readers hardly represent a cross section of the Sikh community. First, you are probably at least semifluent in English. And you are online. And you are not put off of a publication with "Khalistan" in the title. So I am aware that you are an elite group.

Nevertheless, this will give me some idea if anyone actually reads this document. It's not very long; I think I read it in two sittings. It is available at the link given in both English and Punjabi. So, please, take this survey.

A point of interest, my own dear Dad never accepted the SRM or the SGPC, considering them both artifacts of British occupation. I find the SRM to be an imperfect, flawed document. It is, however, the best we have and I accept it and try to follow it. Right now the Panth has more pressing problems than revising it.

Someday, that will need to be done, but it can wait. My poll cannot. Please take it now!

The pictures are a little bit interesting. I googled on SRM Pictures, curious (of course!) at what would come up. I frankly found the first picture offensive and decline to use it. These are the next three. The painting is from a Thai Sikh site; the Photographs are from Sikhwiki.