India: Update to Response to Information Request IND29444.E of 27 May 1998 on the Ramdasi faction/group/sect of Sikhism, including the number of members, where they are located, and any differences in social/religious practices from "mainstream" Sikhs

A letter sent to the Research Directorate on 26 May 1998 by the executive director of the World Sikh Organization (of Canada) in Nepean, Ontario, states:

Sikh converts from the scheduled or "untouchable" castes (according to Brahmanical Law), have used the term Ramdasi as a prefix, for reasons known only to them. The Indian government implemented a job reservation program, state benefits, and political positions for scheduled castes. Perhaps these programs were the motivating factor for some Sikh converts to use the term Ramdasi - to ensure inclusion on this list.

The concentration of Ramdasi Sikhs is also in Punjab. However, Ramdasi Sikhs are also scattered around the world. Their main profession in India, as a scheduled caste, has been skinning animals, weaving, and cobbling. The previously mentioned legislated equality has, at the very least, brought them into different professions in India.

Historically, the connection of Ramdasis to Sikhism stems from Saint Ravidas's philosophies on the equality of mankind. Saint Ravidas' hymns are included in Sikh Scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, and many followers of Ravidas philosophies have become Amritdhari (initiated) Sikhs. I have enclosed a brief background on Saint Ravidas for your information.

There should however, be a clear distinction made between caste labels, and Sikh religious practices. Ramdasis are not a "sect/faction/group" of Sikhism. If such individuals have chosen to practice the Sikh faith, they must do so according to standard Sikh tradition. To date, there are no recognized factions or sects of Sikhism that have garnered any broad devotion.

The following is the background on Saint Ravidas referred to in the above letter:

Ravidas, or Raidas (15th century), another of Ramananda's disciples, was a tanner-cobbler who used to give away shoes to all God's lovers and once made an image of God out of hide. One saint gave him the "philosopher's stone", which he carelessly left in the thatch of his hut for over a year, explaining that he wanted only God's Name and not such useless wealth. One day he found five gold pieces and spent away the whole in building a temple and hostel for the poor. He used to cure lepers, and even Brahmins came to him. Others harassed him when a Queen of Chitor became his disciple; God showed a cobbler sitting next to each caste-proud Brahmin at their feast. It is said he lived to 120; he left many poems of devotion and there is a sect of Vaishnavas called by his name the Raidasis even today.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Reference

World Sikh Organization (of Canada), Nepean, Ontario. 26 May 1998. Letter sent to the Research Directorate by the executive director.