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Discussion and debate on the big issues affecting British Asians.
Sikh Women's Alliance has for past 15 years been campaigning to empower, inspire and educate Asian women and to reach for higher public and political positions. We hold conferences on female infanticide, status of women, inequality in 21st century and many other women related subjects.
Today BBC Asianet show on radio discussed gender inequality and whether pressure is still put on new mothers to have boy baby. It was interesting to hear callers say that in Sikh families, it matters a lot to have a boy baby. Despite all our religious talk in Gurdwaras about women being equal, in practise it is the opposite.
What I said to Nihal on Radio was that I am sad to say after 15 years of our hard work trying to get girls and women to be valued, gender inequality is still very much prevalent today.
Because we talk about it on air and in public arenas about gender inequality, it has gone underground but the mindset is still there. Secretly boy births are still preferred and celebrated by grandparents with Akand Paths, Bhangra Parties and on Radio Stations where on pretext of sponsoring a programme, whole family names are read out showing off that they had a grandson. Paaths like Sukhmani Sahib are generally done for girls birthdays and families go quiet following birth of a baby girl.
Only few months ago in a Gurdwara in East London, the Granthi said a prayer on loud speaker on behalf of a grandmother who asked God to give her the boon of a grandson. My Sikh Women's Alliance ladies rounded up on this Granthi in the Langar Hall. We asked him first if anyone ever asked him to do prayer for girl baby, he said Never.
Then we said to Granthi as to why he does not just say a prayer that a healthy baby be born, rather than mentioning gender preference. He wringed his hands and said what can he do, he does what he is asked to do. That people ask for prayers for new cars and new houses to be blessed. He as Granthi has to abide by people's requests for whatever prayers they ask for.
So I said to the Granthi, that I am constipated, and if I ask him to do prayer for me to go to toilet and be comfortable, will he do so?
The Granthi laughed but got my point and then tried to change the subject by saying he has connections with the Badal family, and if we want to invite their daughter in law to our next Conference, he can arrange it but we have to sponsor her. We immediately said No as we are a non-political group.
People should listen to first hand callers on BBC I player to the debate this morning (17/5/16) to hear shocking stories of abortions of girl babies following scans and the abuse and harassment these new mothers are subjected to have a boy baby. Majority of our Sikh families accept God's will and value and honour and love their daughters but shame and curses on those few who are killing girls. Waheguru will never forgive their bloodthirsty crimes where they killed their own daughters in the womb. Enough is enough, put a stop to such subtle and intimidating pressure on women. It is man's sperm which is responsible for the gender of the baby, not the woman. She is just carrying a baby, a future mother to Kings and Rajas. A woman who is the lynchpin of family.
We proudly say Kaur means princess and Singh means Lion. Are the Lions eating their own princesses now? Let us have a serious debate on this vile practise of female infanticide. Even Akal Takht makes feeble noises on this issue, but do nothing to put the fear of God in people that Sikh faith condemns such practises of protectors destroying their own produce of girl babies.
Waheguru Ji, please put light in the thinking of these people that Boy is gold and that Girl is a burden.
Let our daughters live and have aspirations in life. Do not do expensive weddings and make the girl a burden. Love the girls just as much as your boys. This is to the older mothers who discriminate against their own young mothers and make life hell for a new mother.
Kind Regards from
Mrs Balvinder Kaur Saund J.P.
BSc(Hons), M.A
Chair, Sikh Women's Alliance
Mobile 07960 987 825
07960 987 825