'Sikhism Beyond Politics ': Truth, Learning and Universal Humanism stressed by Advocate Himmat Singh at a book club session 

Ludhiana, September 10, 2026: At a recent session of the Book Club, Himmat Singh Goron, advocate, aviator, farmer and student of Sikh Studies, delivered a thought-provoking lecture on the theme ‘ Sikhi Before Politics’ exploring the meaning of Sikh identity, the place of politics in Sikh life, and the centrality of truth and learning in the Sikh tradition. His interactive session was attended by more than 25 persons, scholars from universities, colleges, banks and philanthropists who regularly meet at book club.
A central theme of the lecture was Truth. Drawing upon Sikh thought, Goron emphasized that truth cannot be compromised for political convenience, personal interest or collective pressure. Before entering the arena of politics, society must first understand what is truthful and just. He stressed that religion cannot be reduced to slogans or political mobilization when its deeper purpose is to cultivate truthful living, ethical conduct and responsibility towards fellow human beings. He further reflected on the meaning of the word “Sikh”, linking it to learning and the continuing pursuit of knowledge. According to him, being a Sikh is not simply a matter of inherited identity; it carries an obligation to remain a learner. Learning, he said, has no geographical, social or communal boundaries. It takes one beyond the narrow confines of caste, community and region and encourages a broader understanding of humanity. Goron also connected this philosophy with the role of education. He argued that education must go beyond the accumulation of information or the acquisition of qualifications. Its deeper purpose is to develop values, independent thinking and an understanding of universal truth. A student should therefore remain intellectually curious and willing to examine beliefs rather than merely inherit them. Such education, he suggested, can become a powerful antidote to prejudice, intolerance and narrow identities.
Another important aspect of his lecture was the distinction between religion and organized religious authority. He suggested that religion, at its best, connects human beings with universal values, whereas institutional or political interests can sometimes create divisions. In his view, a meaningful understanding of Sikh philosophy must precede any discussion of Sikh politics. Politics, he argued, should remain subordinate to fundamental values rather than becoming the measure of religious identity. The Sikh tradition, he maintained, should be understood through its emphasis on equality, learning, truthful living, service and the dignity of every human being.
The lecture generated an engaging discussion among Book Club members. Viz: Dr.M. S. Toor, Bahadur Singh, Dr. Chitra Joshi, Brij Bhushan Goyal, Lakhi Ram Anand, Ashok Kumar Srivastava, S. S. Aulakh, Lt. Col. Pradeep Singh Jawanda, K. B. Singh, Gurcharan Singh, Surinder Singh, Balwinder Singh, Manpreet Sandhu, Harcharanjit Singh, Ujaggar Singh, Baljinder Singh, Jagmohan Singh Sidhu, Raj Kumar Singh, G S Ahulwalia,Jaspal Singh, Jeevandeep Singh, Dr. B. S. Gill and Dr. Charanjit Gill. Dr Toor thanked the visiting speaker while Goyal urged Sikh Intellectuals to lead humanity taking base from Sikh tenets.
Dr. M. S. Toor, Bahadur Singh, Dr. Chitra Joshi, Brij Bhushan Goyal, Lakhi Ram Anand, Ashok Kumar Srivastava, S. S. Aulakh, Lt. Col. Pradeep Singh Jawanda, K. B. Singh, Gurcharan Singh, Surinder Singh, Balwinder Singh, Manpreet Sandhu, Harcharanjit Singh, Viragar Singh, Baljinder Singh, Jagmohan Singh Sidhu, Raj Kumar Singh, K. Sandhu, Jaspal Singh, Jeevandeep Singh, Dr. B. S. Gill, Dr. Charanjit Gill and Himmat Singh Goron
Himmat Singh Goron, a Ludhiana-based advocate and eighth-generation descendant of Sardar Jai Singh, a Jat Sikh of Manjha who joined the Nishanwalia Misl in 1763 and fought at Sirhind, comes from a lineage of public service.