This could really hurt them
Same-Sex Marriage could really end up hurting Paul Martin among Canada's immigrant communities. I've seen two articles from TribuneIndia.com covering the issue. And oddly enough, the Sikhs quoted in the second article sound almost exactly like conservative evangelicals or catholics. I never imagined this being such a huge issue in Punjab... but apparently it is.
Here's the first:
Martin cancelled visit over marriage Bill row
Sarbjit Dhaliwal
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 6
The Same Sex Marriages Bill, which is to be introduced in Canadian Parliament (House of Commons) in its session beginning on January 31, is said to be the main reason for the cancellation of Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin's visit to the Golden Temple, where he was to pay obeisance on January 15.
As many as four Sikh members of Canadian Parliament--- Mr Gurbax Singh Malhi, Mr Ujjal Dosanj, Ms Ruby Dhalla and Mr Navdeep Bains---were to accompany Mr Martin to the Golden Temple. One senior member of the proposed entourage of Mr Martin told The Tribune today on the phone from Canada that now Mr Martin was expected to visit India only for one day. He would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh in Delhi. In fact the Canadian PM, who is to visit India, China, Japan,Sri Lanka and Bangkok, has made a major change in the schedule of his visit.
Sources said that six Sikh MPs are sharply divided on the issue of same sex marriage issue, which is to be permitted in Canada by Martin's Government by passing the Bill in the coming session of Parliament. Mr Gurbax Singh Malhi, an MP of the ruling Liberal Party, and Mr Gurmant Singh Grewal and his wife, Mrs Narinder Kaur Grewal, both MPs of the Opposition Conservatives, are opposing the Bill openly.
Mr Ujjal Dosanj,who is a minister in Martin's Government, is obviously supporting it because without the approval of the Council of Ministers it could not be introduced in Parliament. Interestingly, Mr Navdeep Singh Bains, a young Amritdhari Sikh MP of Canada, is said to be supporting the Bill, while another MP, Ms Ruby Dhalla, is yet to make her stand clear on it. Sources said that the Bill would get through as it had the support of a majority in the House because certain Opposition MPs are also supporting it. Otherwise, Mr Martin is heading a minority government that is supported by only 135 of the 308 MPs in the House.
In the Sikh religion same sex marriages are not allowed. It is taken as against the law of nature. Indian law also does not permit such marriages. But legal action has not been initiated anywhere as yet in India though reports of such marriages have appeared in the media.
Sources said that Mr Martin was advised that as he was considered the principal votary of the Bill, the Sikh clergy may not present him and other Sikh MPs supporting the Bill with the siropas during their visit to the Golden Temple.Non presentation of siropas would hit the Liberal Party hard politically because most of the Sikhs supporting it in Canada would turn away from it, keeping in view the posture adopted by the Sikh clergy.
In fact Mr Martin's Government could fall any time after the session. General elections would follow the fall of the government. In that election the Liberal Party would be requiring the support of Sikh voters, say sources. Because of this reason, Mr Martin wanted to avoid the siropa controversy.
In fact already a number of Sikh religious bodies of Canada have informed the Sikh clergy and the SGPC with regard to the controversy about same sex marriages and the stand taken by various bodies in this regard. The Ontario Sikh Gurdwara Committee, an apex management body of 15 Sikh gurdwaras, have publically taken a stand against the Same Sex Marriages Bill. It has built pressure on Mr Bains to oppose it. In fact a large number of churches are also opposing the Bill and campaigning against it.
And here's the second:
SGPC against same-sex marriage
Sarbjit Dhaliwal
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 13
The SGPC is against same-sex marriage, which has become a hot issue in countries like Canada, where Sikhs are settled in a big number.
Taking a clear and firm stand on the issue, Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, general secretary, SGPC, said today that such marriages were against the Gurmat and Sikh code of conduct. “Because of this reason, the SGPC was against such marriages,” he added.
There are six Sikh MPs in Canadian Parliament. They are divided on the issue. Three of them have taken a stand against the Bill to be passed next month by the Canadian Government to legalise such marriages in that country. However, two MPs — Mr Ujjal Dosanj and Mr Navdeep Singh Bains — are supporting the Bill. Ms Ruby Dhalla, another MP, has not made her stand clear yet.
Asked that certain Sikh MPs are supporting the Bill in Canada, Mr Bhaur said that it was because of politics of votes that they were supporting it. Sikh MPs should only support what was in accordance with the Sikh “maryada” and code of conduct. They should stick to what has the approval of the Gurmat, he added.
Mr Sukhdev Singh is not alone to say so. Leading Sikh scholars, including Dr Kharak Singh, who has authored books on Sikh religion, and Dr Jodh Singh, Editor-in-Chief of the Sikh Encyclopedia, are of the same view. Dr Jodh Singh said that the concept of same-sex marriages was against the spirit of Guru Granth Sahib. It was also against the law of nature.
“To go against the law of nature was not advisable for those who have been given the responsibility by people to shape the destiny of their respective countries,” said Dr Jodh Singh. “Man has been paying a heavy price for violating the law of nature,” he added, pointing out the devastation caused by tsunami.
Questioning those supporting the same-sex marriage, Dr Jodh Singh asked whether two men married to each other could give birth to a baby, and likewise could two women married in the same manner procreate? If the answer was no, then why to support such marriages, he said.
Dr Kharak Singh, who was a member the Sikh Dharam Parchar Committee of the SGPC that decides about such issues, says that same-sex marriages was an unnatural phenomenon and Sikhism does not approve of it.
Meanwhile, informed sources said that top echelons of the Sikh clergy were expected to issue a statement with regard to the same-sex marriages either tomorrow or early next week.
“Obviously, the legalisation of such marriages by Canadian Parliament by enacting the law next month would influence the Sikh way of life especially of its youth, in that country,” Canadian Sikhs have told Sikh leaders here.
Here's the first:
Martin cancelled visit over marriage Bill row
Sarbjit Dhaliwal
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 6
The Same Sex Marriages Bill, which is to be introduced in Canadian Parliament (House of Commons) in its session beginning on January 31, is said to be the main reason for the cancellation of Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin's visit to the Golden Temple, where he was to pay obeisance on January 15.
As many as four Sikh members of Canadian Parliament--- Mr Gurbax Singh Malhi, Mr Ujjal Dosanj, Ms Ruby Dhalla and Mr Navdeep Bains---were to accompany Mr Martin to the Golden Temple. One senior member of the proposed entourage of Mr Martin told The Tribune today on the phone from Canada that now Mr Martin was expected to visit India only for one day. He would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh in Delhi. In fact the Canadian PM, who is to visit India, China, Japan,Sri Lanka and Bangkok, has made a major change in the schedule of his visit.
Sources said that six Sikh MPs are sharply divided on the issue of same sex marriage issue, which is to be permitted in Canada by Martin's Government by passing the Bill in the coming session of Parliament. Mr Gurbax Singh Malhi, an MP of the ruling Liberal Party, and Mr Gurmant Singh Grewal and his wife, Mrs Narinder Kaur Grewal, both MPs of the Opposition Conservatives, are opposing the Bill openly.
Mr Ujjal Dosanj,who is a minister in Martin's Government, is obviously supporting it because without the approval of the Council of Ministers it could not be introduced in Parliament. Interestingly, Mr Navdeep Singh Bains, a young Amritdhari Sikh MP of Canada, is said to be supporting the Bill, while another MP, Ms Ruby Dhalla, is yet to make her stand clear on it. Sources said that the Bill would get through as it had the support of a majority in the House because certain Opposition MPs are also supporting it. Otherwise, Mr Martin is heading a minority government that is supported by only 135 of the 308 MPs in the House.
In the Sikh religion same sex marriages are not allowed. It is taken as against the law of nature. Indian law also does not permit such marriages. But legal action has not been initiated anywhere as yet in India though reports of such marriages have appeared in the media.
Sources said that Mr Martin was advised that as he was considered the principal votary of the Bill, the Sikh clergy may not present him and other Sikh MPs supporting the Bill with the siropas during their visit to the Golden Temple.Non presentation of siropas would hit the Liberal Party hard politically because most of the Sikhs supporting it in Canada would turn away from it, keeping in view the posture adopted by the Sikh clergy.
In fact Mr Martin's Government could fall any time after the session. General elections would follow the fall of the government. In that election the Liberal Party would be requiring the support of Sikh voters, say sources. Because of this reason, Mr Martin wanted to avoid the siropa controversy.
In fact already a number of Sikh religious bodies of Canada have informed the Sikh clergy and the SGPC with regard to the controversy about same sex marriages and the stand taken by various bodies in this regard. The Ontario Sikh Gurdwara Committee, an apex management body of 15 Sikh gurdwaras, have publically taken a stand against the Same Sex Marriages Bill. It has built pressure on Mr Bains to oppose it. In fact a large number of churches are also opposing the Bill and campaigning against it.
And here's the second:
SGPC against same-sex marriage
Sarbjit Dhaliwal
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 13
The SGPC is against same-sex marriage, which has become a hot issue in countries like Canada, where Sikhs are settled in a big number.
Taking a clear and firm stand on the issue, Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, general secretary, SGPC, said today that such marriages were against the Gurmat and Sikh code of conduct. “Because of this reason, the SGPC was against such marriages,” he added.
There are six Sikh MPs in Canadian Parliament. They are divided on the issue. Three of them have taken a stand against the Bill to be passed next month by the Canadian Government to legalise such marriages in that country. However, two MPs — Mr Ujjal Dosanj and Mr Navdeep Singh Bains — are supporting the Bill. Ms Ruby Dhalla, another MP, has not made her stand clear yet.
Asked that certain Sikh MPs are supporting the Bill in Canada, Mr Bhaur said that it was because of politics of votes that they were supporting it. Sikh MPs should only support what was in accordance with the Sikh “maryada” and code of conduct. They should stick to what has the approval of the Gurmat, he added.
Mr Sukhdev Singh is not alone to say so. Leading Sikh scholars, including Dr Kharak Singh, who has authored books on Sikh religion, and Dr Jodh Singh, Editor-in-Chief of the Sikh Encyclopedia, are of the same view. Dr Jodh Singh said that the concept of same-sex marriages was against the spirit of Guru Granth Sahib. It was also against the law of nature.
“To go against the law of nature was not advisable for those who have been given the responsibility by people to shape the destiny of their respective countries,” said Dr Jodh Singh. “Man has been paying a heavy price for violating the law of nature,” he added, pointing out the devastation caused by tsunami.
Questioning those supporting the same-sex marriage, Dr Jodh Singh asked whether two men married to each other could give birth to a baby, and likewise could two women married in the same manner procreate? If the answer was no, then why to support such marriages, he said.
Dr Kharak Singh, who was a member the Sikh Dharam Parchar Committee of the SGPC that decides about such issues, says that same-sex marriages was an unnatural phenomenon and Sikhism does not approve of it.
Meanwhile, informed sources said that top echelons of the Sikh clergy were expected to issue a statement with regard to the same-sex marriages either tomorrow or early next week.
“Obviously, the legalisation of such marriages by Canadian Parliament by enacting the law next month would influence the Sikh way of life especially of its youth, in that country,” Canadian Sikhs have told Sikh leaders here.
posted by Japnaam Singh at
12:00 AM
4 Comments:
This is kinda wierd man. Just imagine a temple wedding with 2 Sikh bearded and turbaned men doing the "Pherai". Guess if it ever happens ie SSM, it will be at the registrar's office. Frankly, I have nothing against gays but I think this issue has been tackled wrongly. It should not be called a marrriage but a union and all legal rights should be accorded in regard to inheritance and property rights and such. It should not be conducted by a priest or a registrar of marriages but a seperate official designated in the relevant registering body like Registrar of Unions. This is the 21st century and there are far worse things happening on this planet than 2 same sex people cohabitating and wanting some legal status to their choice of way of life.
Just me
Dr J S Gill
Malaysia
> Just imagine a temple wedding with 2 Sikh
> bearded and turbaned men doing the "Pherai".
Could happen. I've personally seen gay Sikh men in London. Nice enough chaps.
Non-Sikhs such as myself are wondering what the Sikh community makes of this, and whether this will affect the Sikh votes in Liberal ridings.
Of course this will affect many Liberal votes in many ridings. The Greeks, Italians, Spaniards, Arabs, Asians and on and on will get on the bandwagon.
You put people behind a private ballot box and make this the election question, Canadians will overwhelmingly vote against SSM.
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