"Bhapa"- an offensive & derogatory term for sikhs

I have already covered the existence and operationality of caste discrimination in my article "Caste System in Sikh community" where I highlighted the major caste types in Punjab. Though personally a strong critic of the "Caste system" and an individual who is always against caste-bias, I feel an utmost need to address this issue in my writings as it is a harsh social reality and truth about it should not be left unsaid. As the title suggests I will try to highlight the discriminatory use of the term "Bhapa" and the historical aspects of this caste.

In the cities, Khatri and Arora dominate the sphere of business activities. Khatri and Aroras are essentially identical caste and are primarily a caste of traders, shopkeepers and accountants. Sometimes people belonging to these castes are called "Bhapa Sikhs". Khatris and Aroras are equivalent of Baniyas found elsewhere in India. Please note there are also Agarwal Baniyas in Punjab too but they are almost 100% Hindu. All of the Sikh Gurus were born in Khatri caste. Guru Nanak's father Mehta Kalu was also a shopkeeper and he tried his best to make his son follow his caste profession of shopkeeping. But Guru Nanak rejected his teachings and became a man of spirit.

Please note that although the word Khatri appears to be a vernacular form of Sanskrit "Kshatriya", the caste is exclusively composed of cloth merchants, grocers, perfume sellers (or "Gandhis") and traders. Some eminent historians, have described this caste as probably a "pratiloma" or ritually inferior mixed caste created through union of "Kshatriya fathers and brahmin mothers" or "Shudra fathers and Kshatriya mothers". Though Rajputs , the bonafide Hindu Kshatriya caste, disown all connection with them and treat them as one of the Baniya castes, Aggarwal Baniyas, a reputable vaishya caste of Hindus, also deny any link with them.

Some speculate that the word Khatri is derived from the word "Khata" or accounting scroll . Before the partition of Punjab, Khatris were largely concentrated in West Punjab where they were the subordinates of Pathans and were employed in a rather humble way by Pathans as their accountants. It could be that Arora caste which came under patronage of Pathans and Khokhars in NWFP (North-West Frontier Province) and upper western Punjab as their accountants came to be called "Khatri" because of maintaining "Khatas" or accounting books of their patrons.

As stated before, sphere of Khatri and Arora influence in Punjab is the urban centers where they dominate the shopkeeping profession. Being connected with commerce and trading, their literacy rate is among the highest in Punjab and they were also the earliest beneficiaries of colonial education system being located in urban areas. Khatris are a forward caste in Punjab but as we have seen that neither their social standing nor their occupations are uniform across the country, it is no surprise that they are enlisted among Other Backward Castes (OBC) in many other states like Gujrat, Tamil Nadu, etc. Though Punjabi "Arora/ Khatri sikh" community has produced some of the most prominent political and religious personalities of the country like the former Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh and the famous sikh scholar Giani Sant Singh ji Maskeen who has been honored with the "Panth Rattan" decoration. The famous Punjabi singer Daler Mehandi is also belongs to this caste.

Among the Dalit caste groups prominent ones "Chamars" and "Chooras". Both communities are called "Balmiki/ Mazhabi Sikhs". The word Chamar is derived from Charmakar or leather tanner. They used to be expert shoe-makers. Some poor men and women of this caste also work as laborers in the farms of traditional landowning castes like Jat, Mahton, Saini, etc. Discrimination against them unfortunately still exists in Sikh society. For this reason , Mazhbi Sikh brethren are extended reservation as SC (Scheduled Caste) . Mazbi Sikhs have in the past made sterling contribution to Sikhism both as mystics and soldiers. Bhagat Ravidas belonged to Chamar caste but is accorded highest respect in Sikhism with his poetry being included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Akali Phoola Singh wan another "Mazhabi Sikh" who acquired the top post of the "Akal Takhat Jathedar" and is known for his uprightness and bravery.

Now, I would like to use the reference of the historical aspect of "Balmiki/ Majhabi sikh" community and their socio-political and a legal achievement in the contemporary times to make the usage of the discriminatory term "Choora" as a  legal offense punishable as per the court of law. I expect some intellectuals from "Arora/ Khatri sikh" community to take a constructive lesson from the the B/M sikh brethren and pursue a legal/ political course to make the discriminatory usage of the term "Bhapa" too, a legal offence punishable in the court of law.