Rashtriya Sikh Sangat

The Rashtriya Sikh Sangat ("National Sikh Association") is an India-based Sikh affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a pro-Hinduvata organization known for attempts to assimilate Sikhs into the Hindu fold.[1] The Akal Takht issued a Hukam Nama (an edict) to the Sikh community in 2004 to not lend support to this organization as it does not represent Sikh interests. The edict stands, even now.[2]

With about 450 units predominantly in the states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.[3] Rashtriya Sikh Sangat was inspired (started) by the Hindu nationalist organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and has aimed to unite Hindus and Sikhs.[4]

The organization has also pressed for Sikh rights in many states in India, including Jammu & Kashmir where it demanded that the state should recognize National Commission of Minorities jurisdiction and protect Sikhs as minorities in the state.[5]

In 2004, the leader of the Akal Takht declared that the organization to be "anti-Sikh" and "anti-panthic".[6] It forbade all Sikhs from having any association with it.[3]. The Akal Takht, (the supreme temporal body of the Sikh community worldwide) reiterated the ban again in 2019 and is seen as an attempt by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to promote "Hinduvata", "Pseduo Sikhs" and an attempt to assimilate Sikhs into Hinduism.[7]

In 2009, Babbar Khalsa, a khalistani group assassinated Rulda Singh, the president of the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, in Patiala.[3][8]

In 2014, the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat reelected Gurcharan Singh Gill as its president.[3]

References
  1. "Akal Takht Chief Calls for Ban on RSS, Slams Hindu Rashtra Demand". 15 October 2019.
  2. "Akal Takht asks Sikh community to keep distance from RSS event".
  3. Dogra, Chander Suta (17 December 2014). "Ex-militants to riot package: RSS reaches out to Punjab via Sikh arm". The Indian Express. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
  4. Sanjeev Kelkar (2011). Lost Years of the RSS. SAGE Publications. pp. 181–182. ISBN 978-81-321-0762-0.
  5. Rashtriya Sikh Sangat members meet JK Governor, Business Standard (January 5, 2016)
  6. "Anti-Panthic Outfit Rashtriya Sikh Sangat Resumes its Activities, SGPC, Jathedars Go Silent". 14 October 2017.
  7. "Akal Takht Chief Calls For RSS to Be Banned". The Wire. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  8. "Rulda Singh's killers to stand trial in UK, British police team arrives to collect evidence". tribuneindia.com.


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