With the government announcing a caste census this year, Sikh organisations have asked members of small sects, especially those living outside Punjab, to specifically mention their religion in the forms and avoid any alternative nomenclature. The advice is issued to stop an undercount of Sikhs, community organisations said.
According to Jaspal Singh Sidhu, chairman of the Supreme Council of Navi Mumbai Gurudwaras and a leader of Sikh Samaj Maharashtra, many communities like Sikligars, Mohiyals (Brahmins), Sindhis, Labana, and Banjaras, who follow the teachings of Guru Nanak, the religion’s founder, often do not mention Sikhism as their religion. Sikligars are metalsmiths who traditionally made arms and weapons for the Sikh army. Originally from the Marwar region in Rajasthan, they were scattered all over India, especially the Deccan region, after the Mughal ascendancy.
“There is an undercount, especially in Maharashtra, where most Sikligars live,” said Sidhu. “They follow Nanakji’s teachings and visit gurdwaras. Everyone who follows the guru’s teachings is Sikh.”
Bal Malkit Singh, executive chairman of the Maharashtra State Punjabi Sahitya Academy and convenor of the Maharashtra Sikh Association, said communities like Jains have issued a similar appeal. “It is a recognition of our identity and a step toward strengthening our presence in national statistics. Accurate Sikh population data means stronger access to government schemes and more support for social and religious institutions,” said Singh.
Teja Singh Bawri, the province head of Maharashtra Sikligar Sanghatana, said the community’s numbers are estimated to be around 750,000 in Maharashtra. “We are classified as a Vimukta Jati Nomadic Tribe. The community is still educationally backward. Many families do not possess documents to prove their domicile in Maharashtra before 1961 to access reservations, because we are a former nomadic group. We are appealing to the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to help us,” said Bawri.
Another reason for the concern about their population is the conversions to Christianity in Punjab. “Sikhs were 58% of the state’s population in 2011. It could be 55% now and is expected to go below 50% by 2030. As Sikhs, it is our responsibility to maintain our identity,” said Singh.
