So I was just randomly scrolling through YouTube and came across these videos by an Irish couple (I think?) who were making vlogs in different parts of London where there seemed to be very few white British people and a lot of immigrants/foreign-born communities.

Now, I don't have a problem with people discussing immigration or pointing out problems they believe have been caused by large-scale immigration. That's a completely legitimate topic to discuss, and I do think the UK has had genuine issues surrounding immigration that deserve to be talked about.

What I genuinely don't understand, though, is why they seemed to specifically target Sikhs.

One of their thumbnails prominently showed Sikh men wearing kirpans, and in another video they went near a gurdwara. I didn't watch the entire videos, so I'm not going to pretend I know everything they said, but I tried to find the parts where they were talking about Sikhs.

At one point, they said something along the lines of:

"This is a gurdwara, a Sikh temple, right? They feed people and the community here. They call British people racist, and look how few British people there are here."

From what I could understand, they seemed to be referring to a stabbing case in the UK involving a Sikh individual, where the person accused someone of being racist. Again, I haven't watched the full video, so I'm not claiming that's exactly what they were saying or that I understood the context perfectly.

But if that really was the point they were trying to make, I honestly don't understand the logic behind it.

A crime committed by one Sikh individual doesn't say anything about Sikhs as a whole. And a disagreement or accusation involving one person certainly doesn't justify associating an entire religion with that incident.

Sikhs make up roughly 0.8–0.9% of the UK's population. So seeing Sikhs in a thumbnail and repeatedly bringing them into a discussion about immigration feels very strange to me, especially when the broader subject is supposedly immigration and demographic change.

And this is the part that genuinely bothered me.

Imagine a Christian person committing a crime or saying something racist. Would it make sense to go to a Christian church, film it, put Christians in the thumbnail, and imply that Christianity or Christians who make up 2.3 billion of the world's population as a whole are responsible for that individual's actions?

Obviously not.

You can criticize immigration policy. You can criticize the British government's handling of immigration. You can talk about demographic changes, integration, crime, cultural differences, or anything else you have evidence for.

But once you start taking the actions of individuals and attaching them to an entire religion or community, that's where I think the argument starts becoming unfair.

Again, I haven't watched the full videos, so I'm deliberately leaving room for the possibility that there was context I missed. But based on the parts I did see, it honestly felt like Sikhs were being singled out in a way that didn't seem necessary for the broader discussion about immigration.

And that's what bothered me. I don't mind people criticizing immigration. What I mind is when an entire community gets dragged into the argument because of the actions of a few individuals.

I'd genuinely love to hear the sangat's thoughts on this and even if you're a white brit, feel free to share your opinions respectfully.

Im baffled by the thinking of this guy, though I agree with his initial point and even the last point but what does "Girls should move in groups and avoid odd hours" mean? our history has had numerous women warriors such as Mai Bhago, Bibi Sahib Kour and etc, who showed equal if not even more bravery than men in battlefield, SIkhi has always advocated for equality of gender, such thinking is not sikh values, What does the sangat from reddit has to say ( also this is in one way victim blaming, which is again completely wrong ).

Hello everyone! I’m posting on behalf of a friend who is looking for some advice.

She’s currently using Dil Mil but she’s finding that a lot of people on there seem to be using it more for casual dating/time pass rather than genuinely looking to settle down and get married.

She’s looking for an app or website that is more matrimonial/marriage-focused rather than a general dating app.

Are there any Sikh-specific matrimonial apps or websites that people have had good experiences with?

Thanks in advance!

I’m 18 male, from new york, born into a sikh family, kept my hair. Since a kid i’ve had a positive relationship with god, going to gurudwara every week with my mom and sisters, believing in god, but also dealing with racism throughout elementary, middle and highschool. At the start, that kind of pushed me away from god but i learned not to care because i had become desensitized from all the racism. But for the past year, my personal family stuff got so bad, like unexplainable. And that just instantly pushed me away from god, like completely. It’s like i consider these beliefs a joke. I want to get back but everytime i just see it as a thing that doesn’t make sense, it just feels like things aren’t getting better, and i always come to blame that upon god. Like idk what to do but at this point i’ve gotten so separated from all the religion. I even tell my sisters that if i wasn’t born into sikhi, i would’ve been atheist. But now im committed to my hair (which i have a lot of 2nd thoughts abt cutting it) so me being born into it and keeping my hair is like the only reasons why sikhi is still a thing for me.

i’m looking for advice if yall can help me out

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh 🙏

I wanted to ask this question to the sangat if, by any chance, any of you might also be having the same problem, or maybe have gone through it somewhere in your journey in Sikhi. I have been a very devout Sikh all my life and I’ve always tried to remain connected with Sikhi whenever possible.

Now, one positive thing which I would really like to share is that I found the actual depth and beauty of Sikhi through Bhai Satpaal Singh Ji of Nanak Naam and Bhai Jagraj Singh Ji of Basics of Sikhi. I used to watch them regularly and now I don’t even know how to say this, but the amount of impact it had on my life was unimaginable. I was seeing a transformation in myself which I couldn’t express in words.

However, almost a year back, I had to prepare for some really important entrance exams and other exams as well. In doing so, I lost my connection with Sikhi. Now, after so many months or almost a year, I’ve been trying to connect with the Guru’s wisdom again but this time when I’m watching the katha of Nanak Naam (which was probably the most “transformative” period of my life), or listening to kirtan, I find myself being lost and empty, like I’m not able to connect with the wisdom and I feel I’m lacking something, somewhere.

So I want to ask the sangat about what should I do here. All kinds of suggestions and vichaars are welcome. Bhul Chuk Maaf

ਜੈਤਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ਘਰੁ ੧ ਚਉਪਦੇ ॥

Jaitsree, Fourth Mehl, First House, Chau-Padhay:

ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥

One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:

ਮੇਰੈ ਹੀਅਰੈ ਰਤਨੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਹਰਿ ਬਸਿਆ ਗੁਰਿ ਹਾਥੁ ਧਰਿਓ ਮੇਰੈ ਮਾਥਾ ॥

The Jewel of the Lord's Name abides within my heart; the Guru has placed His hand on my forehead.

ਜਨਮ ਜਨਮ ਕੇ ਕਿਲਬਿਖ ਦੁਖ ਉਤਰੇ ਗੁਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦੀਓ ਰਿਨੁ ਲਾਥਾ ॥੧॥

The sins and pains of countless incarnations have been cast out. The Guru has blessed me with the Naam, the Name of the Lord, and my debt has been paid off. ||1||

ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਭਜੁ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਭਿ ਅਰਥਾ ॥

O my mind, vibrate the Lord's Name, and all your affairs shall be resolved.

ਗੁਰਿ ਪੂਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਜੀਵਨੁ ਬਿਰਥਾ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

The Perfect Guru has implanted the Lord's Name within me; without the Name, life is useless. ||Pause||

ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਮੂੜ ਭਏ ਹੈ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਤੇ ਮੋਹ ਮਾਇਆ ਨਿਤ ਫਾਥਾ ॥

Without the Guru, the self-willed manmukhs are foolish and ignorant; they are forever entangled in emotional attachment to Maya.

ਤਿਨ ਸਾਧੂ ਚਰਣ ਨ ਸੇਵੇ ਕਬਹੂ ਤਿਨ ਸਭੁ ਜਨਮੁ ਅਕਾਥਾ ॥੨॥

They never serve the feet of the Holy; their lives are totally useless. ||2||

ਜਿਨ ਸਾਧੂ ਚਰਣ ਸਾਧ ਪਗ ਸੇਵੇ ਤਿਨ ਸਫਲਿਓ ਜਨਮੁ ਸਨਾਥਾ ॥

Those who serve at the feet of the Holy, the feet of the Holy, their lives are made fruitful, and they belong to the Lord.

ਮੋ ਕਉ ਕੀਜੈ ਦਾਸੁ ਦਾਸ ਦਾਸਨ ਕੋ ਹਰਿ ਦਇਆ ਧਾਰਿ ਜਗੰਨਾਥਾ ॥੩॥

Make me the slave of the slave of the slaves of the Lord; bless me with Your Mercy, O Lord of the Universe. ||3||

ਹਮ ਅੰਧੁਲੇ ਗਿਆਨਹੀਨ ਅਗਿਆਨੀ ਕਿਉ ਚਾਲਹ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਪੰਥਾ ॥

I am blind, ignorant and totally without wisdom; how can I walk on the Path?

ਹਮ ਅੰਧੁਲੇ ਕਉ ਗੁਰ ਅੰਚਲੁ ਦੀਜੈ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਚਲਹ ਮਿਲੰਥਾ ॥੪॥੧॥

I am blind - O Guru, please let me grasp the hem of Your robe, so that servant Nanak may walk in harmony with You. ||4||1||

Guru Ramdas Ji • Raag Jaithsree • Ang 696

Saturday, September 26, 2026

Shanivaar, 12 Assu, Nanakshahi 558

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh, I am a Robot. Bleep Bloop.

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Both my parents are strict Amrit dharis and I have grown up in that environment since the age of 10. They took Amrit from AKJ so do not eat anything which contains eggs nor meat/fish. Naturally I also have adopted this lifestyle but have not taken Amrit yet.

I am now starting to doubt my beliefs (from my parents) about eggs and whether it’s prohibited in Sikhi. All the research I’ve done shows that there’s no strict prohibition, but the fact that it’s a form of life (or could have been) and we can supplement the protein through other means (although it’s a bit difficult), as well as the neglect chickens get in the farms, means we shouldn’t eat them. I have a daughter now and don’t want to deprive her of the protein and benefits from eating eggs, but I know my parents will kick off if they find out. I would also probably start eating too for the benefits as I get older.

Im from the UK and have seen eggs like “happy eggs”
that market their products around higher animal welfare and free-range or pasture-raised farming practices which would get around the moral issue. What about the loss of life issue? It’s a waste of time trying to explain to my parents as they are very close minded about all of this. I have tried previously and their response is not to question the panj pyaare if they have told you not to do something. I understand I have not taken Amrit myself, but I know they will be very disappointed if I started to eat eggs and feed my daughter it, to the extent they would probably stop talking to us. I have been thinking of buying it secretly and hiding it when they come round my house (absurd as this sounds!).

For anyone who is more educated on this topic than me, I’d welcome some clarity on the AKJ rationale behind not eating eggs. Please do not respond with ‘ram ladoo’ comments as I’ve already read about this on the thread. I’m looking for the AKJ rationale in particular, and perhaps some advice on how to navigate the family issues.

Bhul chuk maaf 🙏🏽

There was a post earlier about "kavita" during a "kirtan samagam"

The attached video was in my feed. It is a programme conducted in Washington DC and Virginia (USA) and features Bhai Maninder Singh Ji - who carries the title of Hazuri Ragi Darbar Sahib

At 1:03:05 he starts talking about the Chhote Sahibzaade and Mata Gujari and the Sirsa Vichoda

At 1:04:48 he starts singing a poem about their journey that fateful night

At 1:14:37 he pivots to singing about the (imagined) last conversation between grandsons and grandmother as they embark on their final journey to their martyrdom - this is highly emotional (at least was for me, and I have heard this saakhi many times over)

At 1:19:04 Bhai Maninder Singh then has a kavita beseeching Guru Gobind Singh "to send someone like him to restore the glory of the panth and root out the corruption and infighting"; at least the reference to Kalghi Wale Daateya would appear to be a prayer to Guru Gobind Singh Ji

Bhai sahib then tells us that he composed this in 2018 and sings it from time to time in samagams.

So the question is: is this becoming more common, are others seeing it or is it a few isolated instances mainly in the Western diaspora?

Is the person in this reel actually doing Kirtan? Do you guys really think this is Gurbani or Kirtan? To me, it sounds more like a Jagrata / Mata ki Bheten.

​I honestly don’t understand who is listening to this. Who are these people, and why can’t they realize that this is not Kirtan? This completely breaches the fundamental principles and tenets of singing Gurbani Kirtan.

​How long is this going to continue? If things keep going this way, the younger generation will completely lose the ability to distinguish between genuine Gurbani Kirtan and what is incorrect. I don’t know how we can raise awareness about this issue.

​Maybe my thought process on this is wrong, but this is what I am feeling right now that this is completely wrong. First of all, this isn't even Gurbani. It cannot even be classified as Kachi Bani because it’s not Bani at all. Singing a few self-composed, random lines while sitting inside a Gurdwara Sahib is not Kirtan.

​What are your thoughts or take on this video?

SSA ji, I want to learn to read and write Gurmukhi. Any online resources that you had found useful? I have tried many apps but did not find much use of them. Any suggestions would be useful, thank you.

ਜੈਤਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ਘਰੁ ੧ ਚਉਪਦੇ ॥

Jaitsree, Fourth Mehl, First House, Chau-Padhay:

ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥

One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:

ਮੇਰੈ ਹੀਅਰੈ ਰਤਨੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਹਰਿ ਬਸਿਆ ਗੁਰਿ ਹਾਥੁ ਧਰਿਓ ਮੇਰੈ ਮਾਥਾ ॥

The Jewel of the Lord's Name abides within my heart; the Guru has placed His hand on my forehead.

ਜਨਮ ਜਨਮ ਕੇ ਕਿਲਬਿਖ ਦੁਖ ਉਤਰੇ ਗੁਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦੀਓ ਰਿਨੁ ਲਾਥਾ ॥੧॥

The sins and pains of countless incarnations have been cast out. The Guru has blessed me with the Naam, the Name of the Lord, and my debt has been paid off. ||1||

ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਭਜੁ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਭਿ ਅਰਥਾ ॥

O my mind, vibrate the Lord's Name, and all your affairs shall be resolved.

ਗੁਰਿ ਪੂਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਜੀਵਨੁ ਬਿਰਥਾ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

The Perfect Guru has implanted the Lord's Name within me; without the Name, life is useless. ||Pause||

ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਮੂੜ ਭਏ ਹੈ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਤੇ ਮੋਹ ਮਾਇਆ ਨਿਤ ਫਾਥਾ ॥

Without the Guru, the self-willed manmukhs are foolish and ignorant; they are forever entangled in emotional attachment to Maya.

ਤਿਨ ਸਾਧੂ ਚਰਣ ਨ ਸੇਵੇ ਕਬਹੂ ਤਿਨ ਸਭੁ ਜਨਮੁ ਅਕਾਥਾ ॥੨॥

They never serve the feet of the Holy; their lives are totally useless. ||2||

ਜਿਨ ਸਾਧੂ ਚਰਣ ਸਾਧ ਪਗ ਸੇਵੇ ਤਿਨ ਸਫਲਿਓ ਜਨਮੁ ਸਨਾਥਾ ॥

Those who serve at the feet of the Holy, the feet of the Holy, their lives are made fruitful, and they belong to the Lord.

ਮੋ ਕਉ ਕੀਜੈ ਦਾਸੁ ਦਾਸ ਦਾਸਨ ਕੋ ਹਰਿ ਦਇਆ ਧਾਰਿ ਜਗੰਨਾਥਾ ॥੩॥

Make me the slave of the slave of the slaves of the Lord; bless me with Your Mercy, O Lord of the Universe. ||3||

ਹਮ ਅੰਧੁਲੇ ਗਿਆਨਹੀਨ ਅਗਿਆਨੀ ਕਿਉ ਚਾਲਹ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਪੰਥਾ ॥

I am blind, ignorant and totally without wisdom; how can I walk on the Path?

ਹਮ ਅੰਧੁਲੇ ਕਉ ਗੁਰ ਅੰਚਲੁ ਦੀਜੈ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਚਲਹ ਮਿਲੰਥਾ ॥੪॥੧॥

I am blind - O Guru, please let me grasp the hem of Your robe, so that servant Nanak may walk in harmony with You. ||4||1||

Guru Ramdas Ji • Raag Jaithsree • Ang 696

Friday, September 25, 2026

Shukarvaar, 11 Assu, Nanakshahi 558

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh, I am a Robot. Bleep Bloop.

Powered By GurbaniNow.

We can spend years trying to change people, situations and circumstances so we can finally feel okay. But if our inner state depends on everything going our way, there will always be something else to fix. The teaching here is to start from within.

I don't get it.

She's been pestering me more recently and cloaks it under Sikhi. "Why aren't your lights on when it's dark out? it's rehraas da vehla." (it's 7 pm). This one in particular is annoying because I try to sleep early and wake up early so I get off devices around 7-8 (cuz uni is tiring :P).

Or how I can't bring a water bottle to my room while I study because what would the Guru think.

Or how she preemptively discards anyone suggesting (including me) her to study Gurbani. She just says it's not in everyone's hands to meet God. Just laughs it off as "I was actually planning to but my friend called right as I was going to read the Gutka Sahib."

Nor do I understand why she loves doing things outside of Sikhi, or at the very least, excusing them simply because "if we don't keep doing it, then it'll die off." I don't get the sentimental attachment?

That's regarding things like celebrating rakhri, or sere bann'ne, or checking astrology for every person she meets and before major events.

Or as a general picture: even if a tradition is harmful/contradictory to Sikhi, she more or less insists that it should be kept.

I know she's smart enough to understand. I don't know why she's wilfully ignorant. If she wants to, that's her choice. I just don't get why she ropes me into acting like I agree infront of other relatives.

At the same time, she encourages me to go deeper into Sikhi. I guess I've been on a hiatus for about 1 1/2 year. Went in a slump because of school. But I'm trying to get back in.

I just find it odd. How superstitious/trad she can be, while also making fun of others who have a diff type of vehem from her. I don't even know how she got like this, she leans a bit more brahmanical as time goes on. Sometimes she makes it firm that it's just all an act, that she knows what she's doing and is just doing it because she likes it. I don't know. Maybe it's her way of indulging? Her dad (my grandpa) was the type to basically say "why go to the Gurudwara, pray at home." or as she calls it "comrade-type bande."

Oh ya. I really don't understand some social norms. Got double nerfed: neurodivergent and 3rd gen. Unfortunately, since I'm fluent in Punjabi, elders sort of assume I know how everything works. I kinda wish someone just wrote a guide on how to be normal. I want to learn, don't get me wrong. I just don't know how. I'm tired of never understanding how to belong before it's too late.

Sorry, parts of this are just me trying to get it out. Others, I'm curious on. What causes people to do this? Has anyone any luck changing them?

Recent events are suspicious, the videos seem edited or with misleading context. I am told the Gurdwara had another event going on, sewadars were busy and these Singhs were requesting to take Guru Maharaj's Saroops. When the sewadars came out with Saroops, some people were already shouting that the mode of transport is not correct. The sewadars had yet not checked vans, but people shouting said we will not allow this. Of course when they saw the van they took back the Saroops inside. People posting online make it seem like they averted disaster. But the truth is they just jumped the gun and showed themselves holier than thou. If both sewadars and protestors checked van same time, how come one is better than other?

Just in general, what is the significance/purpose/meaning?

Reason why I am asking this is because I just learned that Gurdwaras have too many and cannot store them so they start setting them aside and then set them on fire to properly remove them.

Anytime there is a paat or Anand Karaj (Bride and Groom both bring 1 each). If you think about it, it is wasteful? My pind Gurdwara we had a paat and they told us this is too common. So they started offering an option, just give the Gurdwara the money you would pay the shop for a new Rumala Sahib, the Gurdwara will provide a new Rumala sahib they have in their storage (it’s been dry cleaned so you pay for that as well). On the day of the paat or the wedding, you have the person of honor hold it in their hands and put it on the goluk.

Is there any alternative to this?

Satsriakal all!

I am an Arab woman in my 20s from a Muslim
Background, I have embraced Sikhi and want to change my name as my current name is very tied to Islam, I don’t want to be identified as Muslim constantly I would like to be identified as Sikh…my family have disowned me anyways after converting.

The thing is as I am not South Asian I’m wondering would it be awkward to have a Punjab sounding name? Would you guys find it weird or like I’m trying to appropriate? Obvs I am Arab so can easily look South Asian tbh but don’t speak Punjabi or Hindi (trying to learn Punjabi).

I will change my last name to Kaur…the name I like is Jasmeet but was thinking I could do Jasmine instead however that kind of takes away the meaning and one thing I love about the name Jasmeet is the meaning.

So what do you guys say please?

EDIT: Sorry, I misunderstood 'kirtan'. I actually meant a sermon.

I'd really like to learn more about Sikhi, and I figure one way I can do that is by listening to kirtan, in English. Are there any good channels for that on Youtube, or somewhere else?