Q: Do Sikhs believe in equality of all humanity?

A: Yes, Sikhs believe that all individuals are equal.

One of the major principles of Sikhism is equality for regardless of gender, cast, creed, culture, wealth, etc. In the fifteenth century, the Hindu caste system had become strongly rooted in India. Many Hindu priests (Brahmins) believed in the caste system and perpetuated it as much as possible, by segregating individuals of certain backgrounds (perceived as lower) and looking down on them. Some people in India, who considered themselves of a high-class society wouldn’t even touch a person who they considered as being part of any lower class. If touched accidentally they would take a bath. They also would serve food to their servants and workers on the floor and would themselves eat while sitting higher on some sort of chair or table.

The Sikh Gurus preached to “recognize the Lord's Light within all, and not to consider social class or status; there are no classes or castes in the world hereafter” (Guru Granth Sahib, 349). Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Guru established langar, a free community kitchen. Langar is free food served in Gurdwara Sahib, which is prepared by a Sikh congregation and then consumed by them and their guests while sitting at the same level next to each other. The purpose of the langar is to eliminate any type of caste system and look to view all humans as equal. While eating langar together, there remains no difference between rich and poor, and a superior or inferior person, for all present are eating the same food at the same level. Langar is served in all Gurdwaras around the globe twenty-four hours a day.

“All beings and creatures are His; He belongs to all” (Guru Granth Sahib, 425). Gurus furthermore preached to “Sing the Praise of the One, the Immaculate Lord; He is contained within all” (Guru Granth Sahib, 706). “The special feature of the Sikh of the Guru is that he goes beyond the framework of caste-classification and moves in humility. Then his labor becomes acceptable at the door of God” (Bhai Gurdas Ji, 1).


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