Sikhism, founded in the 15th century by Guru Nanak, is built upon fundamental principles that emphasize service to humanity regardless of religion, race, or social status. The concept of “seva” (selfless service) and “sarbat da bhala” (welfare of all) are not mere philosophical ideals but living practices that define Sikh communities worldwide. This commitment to service manifests most visibly during times of crisis. When natural disasters strike, when communities face hardship, when refugees need shelter and sustenance, Sikh volunteers often arrive among the first responders—not as representatives of government agencies or large NGOs, but as ordinary citizens driven by religious conviction to help their fellow humans.
From the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami to Hurricane Katrina, from the 2010 Haiti earthquake to recent flooding in Pakistan, Sikh communities have mobilized quickly to provide food, shelter, and medical aid. Their gurdwaras (temples) transform into relief centers, kitchens work around the clock to prepare free meals, and volunteers coordinate supply chains with remarkable efficiency. During the farmer protests in India, Sikh organizations provided free food to thousands daily. In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many communities struggled with food security, Sikh kitchens expanded their operations to serve anyone in need. In conflict zones from Afghanistan to Ukraine, Sikh humanitarian groups have provided aid to displaced populations.Beyond headline-grabbing disasters, Sikh communities maintain a consistent presence in local humanitarian efforts. Weekly langar (community kitchens) in gurdwaras worldwide serve free meals to anyone who enters, regardless of background. Many Sikh organizations run food banks, homeless shelters, and educational programs in their local communities.
This pattern of service stems from core Sikh teachings that emphasize the equality of humanity, where all people are considered equal in the eyes of the divine, making service to any human being a sacred act. The tradition of langar, established by the first Guru, breaks down social barriers by having people of all backgrounds sit together and share meals. Sikhs are taught to stand up for the oppressed and vulnerable, even at personal cost, and believe that individual prosperity is meaningless if the broader community suffers.However, the relationship between Sikh communities and broader society reveals troubling asymmetries. When Sikh communities themselves face persecution, discrimination, or crisis, the response from other communities and institutions is often notably absent or insufficient. The 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India, following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, saw systematic violence against Sikh communities. Despite their long history of service to the nation, Sikhs found themselves largely abandoned by the state and many fellow citizens during this crisis. The wounds from this period remain largely unhealed, with many perpetrators never brought to justice.
In various countries today, Sikh communities face unique challenges including religious discrimination and hate crimes, often stemming from misunderstanding about Sikh identity and practices. They experience employment discrimination related to religious symbols like turbans and unshorn hair, airport security profiling and religious accommodation issues, and vandalism of gurdwaras and Sikh-owned businesses during times of geopolitical tension. When Sikh farmers protested agricultural reforms in India, when Sikh businesses were targeted during riots, when Sikh students faced discrimination in schools, the broader international community’s response was often muted compared to their vocal support for other causes. This pattern raises questions about selective solidarity and whether minority communities receive proportional support for their struggles.
Several factors contribute to this imbalance. Many people worldwide are unfamiliar with Sikhism, its distinct identity, and its contributions, making it easier to overlook Sikh-specific issues or to conflate Sikh identity with other religious or ethnic groups. Sikh issues often intersect with complex geopolitical situations, particularly involving India, which can make international advocacy more complicated for governments and organizations. While Sikhs have a significant global presence, they remain a relatively small minority in most countries, potentially limiting their political influence and advocacy power. Additionally, Sikh tradition emphasizes humble service without seeking recognition or reward, and this cultural characteristic, while admirable, may contribute to their contributions being underrecognized and their struggles overlooked.
Addressing this imbalance requires efforts from multiple directions. Sikh communities can increase advocacy and public education about Sikh identity and contributions, build broader coalitions with other communities and organizations, and document and publicize both service contributions and community challenges. Broader society can support educational initiatives to increase awareness about Sikhism and Sikh communities, recognize Sikh contributions in disaster response and community service, and provide active allyship when Sikh communities face discrimination or crisis. Institutions including government agencies can acknowledge and partner with Sikh humanitarian organizations, media can provide coverage that recognizes both Sikh contributions and challenges, and academic researchers can document Sikh community service and contemporary issues.
The Sikh community’s consistent commitment to humanitarian service, driven by deep religious conviction, represents one of the most reliable forms of grassroots disaster response globally. Their quick mobilization, efficient organization, and non-discriminatory aid distribution offer valuable lessons for humanitarian practice. However, the apparent disparity between Sikh communities’ readiness to help others and the response they receive when facing their own challenges highlights broader questions about reciprocity, recognition, and solidarity in diverse societies. True community welfare—the “sarbat da bhala” that Sikhs strive for—requires not just the service of the few to the many, but genuine mutual support that flows in all directions. Recognizing and addressing this imbalance is essential not only for justice toward Sikh communities but for building the kind of inclusive, mutually supportive societies that can effectively respond to the challenges facing all of humanity. The goal should not be transactional reciprocity, but rather a shared commitment to the welfare of all communities, especially during their times of greatest need. In this vision, the Sikh principle of selfless service becomes not just a model for one community to follow, but a standard that all communities can aspire to in their relationships with one another.