Indicast #90 : Indian Students Attacked

I have recently started subscribing to indicast and I think you guys are doing a great job. I enjoy your discussions. I was wondering if you have talked about \'Super 30\', an IIT coaching center in Bihar that trains underprivileged but brilliant kids for IIt entrance exams This is just a suggestion, but I was wondering if you can interview any super 30 graduates or the coach himself. I am sure most people in India know about super 30. But it will be probably good for people living abroad.

Interesting. I have heard about coaching classes in Bihar for IITians, but this one\'s great. Will definitely read about it.

Viral,

good to know that we keep you informed and entertained. You could help us out too if you want. You could recommend us topics and spread the word about indicast through facebook or twitter to your other friends... more the merrier!

Probably, you should have done a bit more home work before commenting about Austria event. There are no differences in Sikhs all over the world. In fact unanimity and brotherhood is what Sikhism preaches, and is something I have been taught since childhood.
The unfortunate incident that took place was not within Sikhs or any sects as such. You had your self named the two clerics. Did they have \'Singh\' as their last name. Probably not. The major concern here is the way they look upto the Guru Granth Sahib.
In Sikhism we belive firmly the Guru Granth Sahib as an actual Guru(Teacher) and respect them as a true soul. We have our roots deep into the belief that was laid down by the Guru Gobind Singh. It is not just a book. There are procedures and rituals in the way this book is to be kept and preserved. We believe that no teacher is superior to the Guru Granth Sahib himself.
Now what these small \'\'Sects\'\' as u call it do is that they have their own Gurus or Babas, stating the example of Ram Rahim of Dera Sachcha Sauda. These saints use the Hon\'ble Guru Granth Sahib in order to attract Sikhs from the \'Financially Weaker\' sections. They run their businesses under the hood of Guru Granth Sahib, without following proper procedures and rituals. For example, if you have ever been to a Gurudwara, you would see that everyone bows his head in front of the Guru Granth Sahib, and sits on the floor. While the Guru Sahib is placed on an elevated platform above everyone else also called as Guru Gaddi. Inside Gurudwara or outside, or anywhere for that matter, Guru Sahib is treated as an individual and respected as a king. You might want to turn on the TV set 4 am(IST) in the morning and have a look at the way the Guru Granth Sahib is brought into the Golden Temple in a Palki(Chariot). Even inside the gurudwara premises never is the Guru Granth Sahib kept on bare floor. Thats just because he is not a book to us. He\'s a teacher. A human being.
These small sects misbehave with the Guru Sahib by treating their own babas superior to that of the Adi Granth. That\'s where the tension arises.
So what\'s the solution to this. A very simple solution would be to prohibit any such dera the use of the Guru Granth Sahib. Even if they want to refer to it, it should be followed in a stated manner.
Coming back to the previous example of Ram Rahim of Dera Sachcha Sauda, you must be aware that he dressed himself up like Shri Guru Gobind Singh and imitated him by performing some rituals which were similar to those performed by Guruji himself when Khalsa was born. This sparked the fire in Punjab.
And just to comment on this further my friend, I hope you remember a cartoonist in Denmark who drew Allah\'a cartoon. You might be aware of the protests worldwide against it.
In fact there was a Muslim politician in India who announced a reward for the person who killed that cartoonist.
Compared to that what happened here , it counts to nothing.
In your podcast you mention Sikhs being hot tempered. Well go to a gurudwara first, and see the way people from all sects of the society sit together on ground and have free meals(Langars). Sikhism never teaches division of people in casts, sects and creed. As I told you eliminating divisons in society and prevailing unanimity and brotherhood is one of the biggest cause for the formation of this religion.
All over the world, you can see Sardarji jokes floating around. Even the internet is not left apart. Had Sikhs been really hot tempered, we would be on a rampage against it. We were given sword by our Guruji, to protect and preserve the needy and the poor.
Sometimes I wonder, why aren\'t there jokes floating around about Muslims or Christians or Hindus for that matter. Now you tell me who\'s hot tempered or who\'s to be blamed. The ball is in your court my friend.....

Hi Aditya, Abhishek and Ritika,

I\'m joining Rolwin in praising Indicast. I have been listening to you guys since the beginning and I\'m impressed with the progress Indicast has made over the years. I\'m loving the guest appearances and the content over the past year or so has been phenomenal.

Just a point on the Australia incidents, I admire your objectivity about it and not being quick to point the finger and jump on the bandwagon with many others who are rallying with the \'us versus them\' mentality. As an American who has lived in India (both rural and urban), as well as immigrant communities in the US, I can agree with you that yes prejudice exists everywhere...(the US, India, Australia, etc). I\'m really proud of you guys for your objectivity in discussing the tragedies in Australia.

I think you guys are doing a great justice by recording Indicast --shows like this help us all to overcome our biases. Thanks for the great perspective and refreshing attitude! I\'m staying tuned!