PRESUMPTION - Sardarji jokes are harmless fun.

 

As I pointed out in my earlier post, which was quite auto-biographical, let us discuss the issue on a logical plane..

 I'll take each presumption, as I go along in further Posts.

HARM - 1; ALIENATION OF SIKH CHILDREN

Everybody propagates and circulates Sardarji jokes on their mobiles and emails thinking that this is just harmless fun. Further, they go home and recite such jokes in the presence of their children. These children then learn these jokes and use it to make fun of their classmates, who might happen to be Sikhs. Believe me, when I say that this embarassment has been faced by EVERY SIKH CHILD that has studied outside Punjab, or outside Delhi. I am not saying this from only my experience, but from the experiences of hundreds of parents that I have come across. This results in an alienation in the minds of Sikh Children, the feeling of being different.

HARM - 2 TAKES THE UNDERTONES OF RACIST SLURS -

Very often, in business circles, or in official circles, you come across a person, which has no logical replies to your arguements. In such cases, the last resort is this - SARDARJI, BARAH BAJ GAYE, BAAD MEIN BAAT KARENGE, or this - ABHI TO BARAH NAHIN BAJE, PHIR AAP AISI BAAT KAISE KAR RAHE HAIN...or something to that effect. Any reply to such remarks can only be termed 'racist' (In any other country, it could even attract legal action). It goes to the credit of Sikhs, that they never reply to such remarks, only keep silent, inspite of their well publicised 'rowdy' nature. .. Now, do I need to tell you the harmful impact of RACISM.? If I need to tell you the impact of RACISM, you dont deserve to read this Post.

posted on Thursday, May 05, 2005 2:27 PM

Comments

# re: PRESUMPTION - Sardarji jokes are harmless fun. 10/6/2007 11:54 PM dr anshu

yes today i realize that such jokes are at the expense of others

# re: PRESUMPTION - Sardarji jokes are harmless fun. 8/17/2005 12:51 PM AKBAR

I KNOW PEOPLE IN MY TOWN USE TO SCARE FROM SIKHS BECAUSE THEY WERE PHYSICALLY TOO STRONG AND ALWAYS READY TO FIGHT IF SOMEONE SAYS BAD TO THEM. ME AND MY FRIENDS ALWAYS HAD JELOUS FEELING ABOUT THAT. MOST OF THE SIKHS IN OUR DISTRICT ARE WEALTHY AND THAT WAS ANOTHER REASON TO HATE THEM. ALL THAT JEALOUS FEELING FOR THEM MADE ME AND MY FRIENDS TO DO JOKES AGAINST THEM. WE NEVER USE TO LIKE THEM BUT NOW I AM SO SORRY FOR MY BEHAVIOUR. SIKHS ARE HARD WORKING PEOPLE AND THEY CAN STAND FOR YOU WHEN YOU NEED HELP. MY FRIENDS SISTER WAS IN TROUBLE AND ONE SIKH GUY SAVED HER EVEN THOUGH HE KNEW ITS RISK TO HIS LIFE. I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR SIKHS NOW. PEOPLE ARE REALLY RACIST ON THEM. WE SHOULD NEVER FORGET THERE SACRIFISE FOR US.

# re: PRESUMPTION - Sardarji jokes are harmless fun. 8/17/2005 10:13 AM Sunil

Well, any harmfull joke about any community is bad. I know so many sardar they jokes on themself. When I was in Punbaj for some cultural exchange program that time I heard this 12 baje kay term from a sardar friend, which I didnt know before. 

Well we call thoguth it was fun, but you put other side of the story, specially about kids, I think we call need to understand this and proctice to not to hurt Sikh feelings. 

Well, I do have lot of respect for sikh community, except I dont understand why you guys gone for Khalistan demad , I belive large number of sikhs living in india dont support khalistan. (NRI sikh's really still want khalistan to be reality). 

Not onlu sikhs but , UP-Bihari people called Bhayyas, Marathi called Ghatis, Dalits called Bhangis etc... We Indian are racist we never understand others feeling... I hope in future we should understand real meaning of Indians... and love togethes as Indians not any section.

# re: PRESUMPTION - Sardarji jokes are harmless fun. 6/3/2005 3:38 AM Adam

I will totally agree that making Sikh jokes is pathetic and a racist thing to do; I would certainly not like it done to my faith, or my community. I myself used to be a big Sardarji joke-teller, but I have completely stopped now (due to the realization that it is RACIST). 

But, if I may, I would like to offer an explanation as to why I think these jokes are so popular.
All the non-Sikhs (including myself) that I know that have come across a grown Sardarji individual say that there have been at least a few occassions where the Sardarji has something really immature or childish. I am not branding Sardarjis as being stupid, but once that notion exists the jokes will spread; and when the notion is reaffirmed by people's everyday encounters with Sardarjis, that is EXACTLY what makes the Sardarji jokes so popular. Because people laugh and go "its TRUE, its TRUE!" regardless of how big of a misconception it is. 

# Great article. 5/28/2005 10:29 AM Jason

Your article is great.
Thanks.

# re: Presumption - Sardarji jokes are harmless fun. 5/20/2005 4:16 PM anshuman rai

I agree to the fact that sardarji jokes are an insult to the sikh community. These jokes must stop at once there is nothing funny.

# re: Presumption - Sardarji jokes are harmless fun. 5/15/2005 6:53 PM nikunj

Pata hi chal raha hai.... Sardar ko Kyun Sardar bolte hai.... 

Akele hi blog lagya ja raha hai....... 

Jeo Putter.. Tusi 100% Sardar ho....
Time dekhiyo jara...12 baje kya......
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.KA gussa aa gaya... 12 nahin baje.........
Samjhe beta..... is liye.... Sardar....... Sardar hi rahate hain Kabhi badalte nahin........ 

# re: Presumption - Sardarji jokes are harmless fun. 5/15/2005 2:33 AM Gabs

Well said all of you !! 

I have tonnes of Sardar friends, and they are the best buddies, who will give their life for you if needed. Brave and Macho, and the ultimate risk-takers, these are the sardars.
One of the smartest lot out here. 

Last but not the least, jus lissen to those Punjabi songs. OMG, so incredible. 

btw, I am a punjabi too, BUT a hindu. BUT it doesnt make any difference, as we all are one, and will always be one.
Stupi jokes and acts like these spoil the fun and harmony, but we have always come back strongly and this time too. 

-G

# re: Presumption - Sardarji jokes are harmless fun. 5/15/2005 1:55 AM Rajeev Kumar

Joke on a community as a whole can never be a harmless fun. I fully endorse that it might have an adverse effect on a sikh kid.
I have many friends from south India.They tell me whenever a south Indian happens to go to North for their higher studies or job appointment or for any reason, Their elders advise them to look for a Sikh auto/Taxiwala when they come out of Railway station or Airport. Because A sikh will never cheat you, they tell. Such is the respect they command in the hearts of people there.
Let's be more sensitive towards a community which has given us endless list of freedom fighters, brave soldiers, great sportsmen and a modern religion.
Let's refrain from making and forwarding atleast offending jokes to start with.

# re: Presumption - Sardarji jokes are harmless fun. 5/7/2005 11:05 PM Dabbu

Sapphire,
u include blondes in them..... lol

# re: Presumption - Sardarji jokes are harmless fun. 5/5/2005 3:42 PM Sapphire

yes i for one have great respect for Sikhs n dont entertain sikh jokes or ne joke that targets a group or region.

# re: Presumption - Sardarji jokes are harmless fun. 5/5/2005 3:35 PM AngelzFear

sardarji,
i must agree that i never thought such jokes made people so sick :-(
an eye-opener and food for thought.
but one thing i must tell u...we all respect the valor of the sikhs and respect the community and hence we call the community sardaarjis.....the leaders ...so cheer up sardarji.:-)

# re: Presumption - Sardarji jokes are harmless fun. 5/5/2005 3:12 PM rpramod

I agree. Kids take it to heart and its not a good thing.

# re: Presumption - Sardarji jokes are harmless fun. 5/5/2005 2:55 PM techj

hey 

i agree...
this whole sardarji thingi is crappy.... 

i donno why they have these sardarji jokes.... 

come on..any indian will know..they are a brave lot and join the armed forces...things like tat....
its bad when someone cracks jokes like tat.. 

PS: i am mallu...and i love jokes on mallus..coz..once a mallu..always a mallu!