The Evil C-word

I hate this word. I despise this word. Hearing this word makes me want to get up and give a thappar to whoever uttered it. But yet we say it all the time. I see huge discussions on Siksangat forums and Waheguroo! Forums and this stupid word keeps coming up. AND PEOPLE DEFEND THEIR USE OF IT!

The word? CASTE.

jwxhu joiq n pUChu jwqI AwgY jwiq n hy ]1] rhwau ]
Recognize the Lord's Light within all, and do not consider social class or status; there are no classes or castes in the world hereafter. ||1||Pause||

Arbitrary segregations among our Panth has caused much harm to all of us. Marriages, friendships, and our own ability to call ourselves Sikh are all questionable if we take on or declare a caste to a Sikh.

No one should be proud of his caste.
He alone is a Brahmin who knows God.
Do not be proud of your social class and status, you ignorant fool!
So much sin and corruption comes from this pride.
Everyone says that there are four castes, four social classes.
They all emanate from the drop of God’s Seed. The entire universe is made of the same clay.
The Potter has shaped it into all sorts of vessels.
The five elements join together, to make up the form of the human body.
Who can say which is inferior, and which is superior?
Says Nanak, this soul is bound by its actions.
Without meeting the True Guru, it is not liberated. (SGGS 1128)

We have always been taught through the teachings of our Sri Guru Granth, and through a lot of common sense, that the human race is but one: that caste, color, creed, sex, and race are arbitrary rules made by us that have no real meaning now, or in death hereafter.

Finally:

ien ibiD hir imlIAY vr kwmin Dn sohwgu ipAwrI ]
jwiq brn kul shsw cUkw gurmiq sbid bIcwrI ]1]


This is the way to meet your Husband Lord. Blessed is the soul-bride who is loved by her Husband Lord.
Social class and status, race, ancestry and skepticism are eliminated, following the Guru's Teachings and contemplating the Word of the Shabad. ||1||