Joke or poke?
Manika Ahuja
While the Supreme Court seeks suggestions for putting an end to Santa Banta jokes, we check out with youngsters whether these depict the Sikh community in poor light and if they have any suggestions to alter perceptions.
Freedom of speech
Article 19 (1) (a) of the Indian Constitution states that all citizens have the right to freedom of speech and expression. And one of the ways to ensure freedom of speech is to tolerate the things that offend. Remember the ‘I am Charlie’ slogans that were adopted by propagators of free speech? The essence was to strike a balance between respecting religion and ensuring freedom of speech. Sikhism teaches us to become tolerant. Instead of picking fights over jokes, the focus needs to shift towards the more pertinent matters like safety of women, which demand immediate attention.
— Taran Deep Kaur, Dept of French, PU
Collective effort
Maintaining the religious sentiments of any community is of utmost importance. Children should be sensitised to treat all the communities equally. Along with moral science classes, ‘religious consciousness’ lectures could be started at the grassroots level.
— Gurleen Babra, Dept of English and Cultural studies, PU
Historically speaking
Jokes that poke fun at one’s religion intensify communal tensions. History is proof that Sikhs have been serving in the defence forces with distinction. Movies and plays highlighting the Sikh culture should be staged for students to generate feelings of respect towards the community members.
— Ravneet Kaur, student, Department of Laws, PU
Take it easy
Tolerance is the key to sort out a lot of pressing issues and it could help relieve some tension in this case too. Such issues tend to politicise religion, which I am not in favour of. Personally, I do not take offence to light-hearted Santa Banta humour that I happen to come across. Having said that, people do need to be acquainted with the valour displayed by Sikhs during various phases of Punjab’s history. The next time someone cracks a sardaar k baara bajj gye joke at you, ask them to Google its genesis first.
— Hartaj Sahi, Law student, PU
Create awareness
Sikhs have proved their mettle in a multitude of fields. These jokes directed at the community are unfortunate and calls for initiating awareness drives to foster greater respect.
— Amrit Kang, Department of Laws, PU
Subject wise
Strong measures are required to curtail religion-based jokes. One can introduce subjects like History and Culture of Punjab at school-level.
— Karanbir Singh, B Tech, Thapar University
Lighter vein
People who create and circulate these kinds of jokes must be sent to the rehab centres! That would make them understand that such jokes should not be cracked!
— Gundeep Kaur Batth, Department of English and Cultural Studies, PU
