The recent case of Khizar Hayat pleading guilty to desecrating the sacred Sikh text, Gutka Sahib, has left many in Sikh community not just hurt but also outraged. Hayat, a 21-year-old who recorded and shared videos of himself disrespecting the Gutka Sahib on TikTok, may get away with nothing more than a fine for his actions. The Gutka Sahib, a compilation of prayers central to Sikh devotion, is not just a book but a living symbol of the Sikh faith, and the desecration of such sacred texts should be treated with the utmost seriousness.
Pakistani national Khizar Hayat pled guilty to stepping and kicking on a Sikh religious text, setting it on fire and flushing it down a toilet in Perth.
— Journalist V (@OnTheNewsBeat) September 24, 2024
Will this propagandist of the @SikhPA apologize to the Canadian&Indian citizens he blamed for this incident across the globe? https://t.co/KYb6HnownM pic.twitter.com/u8dLMmXjAm
Yet, in this case, the law seems to have faltered. Despite the outcry from over 50 people who gathered at the Armadale Magistrates Court, urging changes to the Racial Vilification Act, it appears that faith-based hate crimes in this case might not be met with the justice they deserve. The community’s demand for tougher penalties in such cases is more than justified — it is an appeal for respect, dignity, and protection of sacred symbols in a multicultural society.
What is particularly disturbing in this incident is not just the act itself but the broader pattern of disregard for Sikh sentiments. This is not an isolated case but part of a troubling history. The lack of respect for the Sikh faith in Pakistan is evident in reports of fashion shows, parties with alcohol, and non-vegetarian food being served near the revered Kartarpur Sahib, highlighting ongoing insensitivity to Sikh traditions and values.
Unacceptable!
— Jagdip Singh Kahlon (@jagdipskahlon) November 19, 2023
I strongly condemn the sacrilegious incident within the sacred premises of Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib where a party organised involving alcohol & meat. @GovtofPakistan should take swift action against all responsible people. #srikartarpursahib #sacrilege pic.twitter.com/Fj7YZBHcfH
For many Sikhs, this blatant disrespect for their faith brings back painful memories of the 1947 Partition, where Sikhs were among the many victims of the Muslim League’s violent drive for Pakistan. Thousands of Sikh men, women, and children were killed, and sacred Gurdwaras were destroyed or desecrated. These historical wounds run deep, and acts of sacrilege, whether in 1947 or today, only deepen the pain.
This latest incident involving Khizar Hayat further highlights a concerning pattern. Some have even suggested that the Muslim population at large is anti-Sikh in their sentiments, a charge rooted in past events and reinforced by such actions today. From the days of Partition to the present, many in the Sikh community feel their faith has been treated with disregard by certain elements, whether through direct violence or symbolic attacks on their sacred spaces and texts.
There are also those who attempt to exploit such tragedies for political gains. The Khalistani elements, which harbors its own agenda, has been quick to blame Hindus, despite there being no evidence to support such claims. Instead of fostering unity and understanding, these groups use every incident to fuel their separatist narrative, which only serves to divide communities further.
But this is not just a political or religious issue; it is a question of justice. When hate crimes against religious symbols and sacred texts are committed, they cut at the very heart of a community’s identity and beliefs. The desecration of the Gutka Sahib is a hate crime, and hate crimes require strong deterrents. To merely slap a fine on such a grievous act sends a dangerous message — that the desecration of faith is a low-level offense, unworthy of real punishment. This cannot be the path forward for a society that prides itself on diversity and mutual respect.
What we need now is a robust legal framework that addresses faith-based hate crimes with the severity they deserve. The Sikh community’s call for tougher penalties under the Racial Vilification Act must be heeded. Laws must be strengthened to ensure that acts of sacrilege — whether against the Sikh faith or any other — are met with appropriate consequences, including prison time for the most egregious cases.
This is not just about protecting the Sikh community’s sacred symbols; it is about ensuring that every community’s faith and culture are respected. It is about justice, fairness, and the right to live in a society where one’s sacred beliefs are not trampled upon — either literally, as in the case of the Gutka Sahib, or figuratively through the inaction of the law.
The Sikh community has long been a symbol of strength, resilience, and generosity. Yet, they are entitled to the same protections as any other religious group. It is time for governments, both local and global, to recognize that respect for all faiths is not just a social responsibility, but a legal one as well. Anything less is an affront to justice and to the very fabric of our multicultural world.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Khalsa Vox or its members.
