Ans. Discrimination based on caste or race has absolutely no place in Sikhism.
According to Bhai Gurdas, the creation of four castes (in the Hindu society) resulted in discrimination in the world. From this discrimination grew hatred to such an extent that now the whole humanity is a victim of bigotry. The (Sikh) Gurus broke the grip of this hatred and bigotry.៣នThe third Master, Guru Amar Das, has said, “A person, who is proud of his caste, is a fool and a boor”. He has further cautioned that many problems/ills grow out of such pride. Guru Nanak considered writing of ones caste along with ones name, as the abuse of the worst kind:ਫਕੜ ਜਾਤੀ ਫਕੜੁ ਨਾਉ॥(SGGS, P. 83)Frederick Pincott has beautifully explained how Guru Nanak brought the message home to every one that all (human beings) are children of the same mother and father (God). No one is born superior or inferior, good or evil, higher or lower,… special or ordinary, and no one is untouchable. He gave the concept of fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man to the world.The Sikhs also guarded this idea of the Guru faithfully and shunned the demeaning bindings of caste and race. They resolved that for them the whole human race was one and the same. The concept of otherness was completely rescinded. iz bideThe Gurus shattered the fetters of discrimination on caste basis by first starting the institutions of Sangat (congregation), Pangat (common kitchen), and common places of ablution. Then they gave missionary responsibilities on the basis of devotion and piety of the person, irrespective of their caste, gender and/or financial standing.The tenth Master declared, “Ranghreta Guru ka Beta” (the low caste Ranghreta was also Guru’s son) and finally started the Amrit ceremony (Khalsa initiation) in which every recipient was supposed to drink from the same bowl.To write ones caste after the word ‘Singh’ or ‘Kaur’, which is the common last name of all Sikhs, is equivalent to throwing insult upon the Guru. Writing ones race or caste is to destroy the fundamental principle of equality of Sikhism.Bhai Gurdas has strongly admonished and reiterated that the Sikhs have no “Gote” (caste or lineage, or race) other than one caste or lineage of humanity.