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Summary of Question:	dastaar replacement
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Saturday, 7/29/2000 9:38 AM MDT

WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA :WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH

I am in dire need of assistance...in recent years, there has been a greater incidence of males (Punjabis)coming for satsangs, in the presence of the almighty Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, with baseball caps and even "beannies" (woolen like caps that one uses during winter).it also include those with "jhodhes' on their head. On multiple times, they been approached politely to wear the appropriate head gear...their basic answer is always that their head is covered and that they are not breaking any "rules"....and what is the difference between them and the people who cover their head with either a hankie or a piece of cloth? These people tend to get very aggressive too. Thus the gurdwara committees are begining to ignore this to minismise any commotions. But deep in my heart, i feel it is wrong...emotionally i feel that one has shown disrespect to our Sri Guru Granth Sahib. I beleive that if this is not "nip in the bud" , we would be allowing for a precedence to set in and before u know it it is customary

to wear a "topi" (hat) in the presence of the Guru.It really saddens me...cos the people that are doing it are not only those with 'cut' hair but also those with judhias.
Any light on this matter would be appreciated



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Reply:
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Greetings and blessings to you. There really is no simple solution. Your sadness is correct. The hat is a very improper form of head covering for a Sikh.
Trading the crown of royalty and consciousness for a sports hat is a statement.

You see a problem. So, address this problem with the youth. Start "bana awareness" to share the technology of the turban with each other. Share the inspiration that distinctiveness gives to us.

Also, the youth may need a time and place to share their day to day problems and find out how others have found solutions. A weekly group workshop or support group can be very beneficial.

Have you considered that most Punjabi women, simply cover their head with a chuni rather than a turban. Women will also benefit from wearing a turban.

Identity cannot be forced. Identity must be experienced then it can be expressed with grace and dignity.

For a person with kesh to not crown themselves in the presence of the Guru and the Sadh Sangat is to rob themsleves of the full experience of their own upliftment. This cap situation is a self esteem issue....rather than legislating the solution, deal with it through education and upliftment.

God bless you and keep up!

Also, women that do not wear turbans, are also not getting these benefits.