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Summary of Question:	Difference between Punjabi and sikh.
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Thursday, 6/08/2000 5:20 PM MDT

Could you please tell me the difference between Punjabi and Sikh's.

I have noticed many people with last names as Oberoi, Munjal, Bhatia etc claming that they are punjabis.
As far as i know.. only those with Khalsa names ie last name as Singh are called Sikh. (also knowing that they have to have 5 K's)

Now.....Also.. most of the munjal's , Oberois got to gurudwara too, but they a'int wearing turban or any of the 5 k's.
What would you call them??

Can all Punjabi's be called as Sihk's or vice versa??
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Reply:
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Punjabi's are the residents of Punjab. They can be Muslim, Hindu and Sikh and even Jain or Christian. Pakistan used to be Punjab too. The culture of Punjab embraced the Punjabi laguage, food of Punjab, even the dance of Punjab; Bangara for men and Ghiddha for women.

Punjab has been in existance for many centuries before the Sikh way of life evolved. The Sikh way of life was born in Punjab. But to be a Sikh it is not required to be living in Punjab. To be a Sikh is a spiritual way of life that was born in the region called Punjab.

Someone can be a Punjabi Muslim as well as a Punjabi Sikh. So, Sikh and Punjabi are not interchangeable terms. Are the Oberoi's Sindhi's(who do not keep beards and turbans) or Sikhs who have forgotten the importance of their form?