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Summary of Question:	Why There Are Categories Of Sikhs?
Category:	Other
Date Posted:	Saturday, 4/22/2000 8:26 PM MDT

SAt Sri Akal,

I wanted to know that why some people proud to be called themselves as a jat. Why there is a diverson between jats, Bhape, khatri and so on. My parents always told that there is no difference, but i still don't understand this stuff. Actually, i belong to jat category, but i never feel different than others. I am very confuse about this diversion, I know that jats are people who works hard in the agriculture process. But please tell me why there is still difference between these people(Jats,Bhape,Khatri)in foreign countries.

Sorry if this question looks offened to some peoples

Vicky Singh

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REPLY
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Dear Vicky Singh:
Sat Siri Akaal, Ji. These categories actually are names of castes, which is a system practiced in India and in Indian societies elsewhere. Guru Gobind Singh categorically said that all who follow him are his Sikhs, and that caste makes no difference whatsoever. He said no Sikh is above another, no matter what they think socially or culturally. This is why he gave men the name "Singh" (lion) and women the name "Kaur" (princess). I am glad you do not feel different. I suggest that you ignore your caste (jat) affiliation as much as you possibly can, because caste has really done more to divide Indians and Sikhs than it ever has to unite them.

I know that the original Panj Piaray each represented a different caste, and all 5 of them were considered 'low' castes (Sorry, I don't recall which castes).

I do not know the specific identities of the castes you describe. If you really must know, you can probably find it by searching the Internet, or looking it up in Encyclopedia Brittanica on the Web.

Guru rakha,
-DKK