The Sikh community, known for its rich history of sacrifice, spiritual strength, and commitment to justice, is currently going through a period of serious internal disunity. Despite being a relatively small religious group globally, Sikhs have historically held significant political and social influence. However, over the past few decades, this influence has weakened, largely due to the inability of the community to come together under one political and religious flag. The roots of this fragmentation lie deep in personal egos, leadership clashes, ideological differences, and a growing disconnect between Sikh institutions and the common Sikh.
On the political front, the traditional representative party of the Sikhs, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), has lost its dominance and credibility. Once seen as the sole voice of Sikh political aspirations, it is now divided into several splinter groups, such as SAD (Amritsar), SAD (Taksali), and others. These breakaway factions have emerged due to leadership disputes, family-based control, and allegations of corruption. Instead of presenting a united front on crucial issues like the release of Sikh political prisoners, safeguarding religious rights, or preserving Sikh identity, these leaders have prioritized their interests, weakening the collective bargaining power of the Sikh community.
Religious institutions have not fared any better. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which is supposed to be the highest religious body of the Sikh Panth, has increasingly come under criticism for functioning like a political tool. Many Sikhs believe that the SGPC lacks independence and is influenced by political parties, especially the Akali Dal. Rather than focusing on spiritual development, religious education, or unity of the Panth, it often gets entangled in power politics and controversies, further dividing the community. Appointments of Jathedars and other key religious figures have become more about political loyalty than spiritual merit, damaging the credibility of these institutions.
Another major factor contributing to disunity is the rise of sectarian groups and deras (religious sects), many of which operate independently of the mainstream Sikh tradition. While some of these groups perform social welfare work, others promote rituals and practices that contradict the Sikh code of conduct, the Rehat Maryada. Unfortunately, instead of collectively confronting these deviations through discussion or reform, the main Sikh leadership often avoids taking action, mainly due to political calculations and fear of losing vote banks. This lack of firm religious leadership has created parallel religious power centers and added to the fragmentation of the Sikh identity.
The Sikh community today is also suffering from a lack of visionary leadership. Most of the political and religious figures are seen as self-centered, egoistic, and disconnected from the real needs of the community. There is no present-day leader who commands widespread respect across all Sikh groups — be it rural farmers in Punjab, youth in cities, or diaspora Sikhs abroad. Leaders spend more time attacking each other than uniting the Panth or pushing for justice in unresolved issues such as the 1984 anti-Sikh genocide or the continued imprisonment of Sikh political detainees.
In the diaspora, too, unity is missing. Sikhs living in countries like Canada, the UK, and the US are politically active, but they remain divided along ideological and regional lines. Some focus on Khalistan, some on immigration or human rights, and others on Gurdwara elections. Without a unified global Sikh strategy, these efforts often cancel each other out. Meanwhile, young Sikhs in Punjab are drifting away from their roots. Due to rising unemployment, drug addiction, and lack of religious education, many young people feel disconnected from Sikh values and institutions. Moreover, the older generation of leaders has failed to create space for fresh, dynamic youth leadership.
The biggest obstacle in creating unity among Sikhs is ego — both personal and institutional. Leaders are more concerned about maintaining their individual power rather than thinking about the long-term future of the Sikh Panth. Institutions are reluctant to change or share authority, and every faction wants to dominate rather than cooperate. As a result, the Sikh community is slowly losing both its political ground and its religious coherence. The longer this disunity persists, the more vulnerable the community becomes to external pressures and internal decay.
In conclusion, the time has come for serious introspection within the Sikh Panth. The need of the hour is to rise above egos, shed personal ambitions, and come together on a common platform that prioritizes the collective good over individual power. Unity does not mean everyone must think the same way — but it does require mutual respect, open dialogue, and a shared vision for the future. Sikh history is filled with examples of how unity led to strength and glory. Today, rediscovering that spirit of unity is not just important — it is essential for the survival and growth of the Sikh community.