Religion
Related: About this forumGolden temple massacre anniversary: 12 injured in sword fight rowing over who should speak first
The factions clashed following a disagreement over who should speak first at memorial event to mark the 30th anniversary of a controversial military operation to clear militants from the temple at Amritsar.
Indian television channels showed dozens of Sikhs wearing traditional turbans and robes waving swords at each and pointing spears as the two groups sized each other up. Some of those present raised their arms and appeared to appeal for calm.
Reports said at least a dozen and maybe as many as 20 people were injured in the melee, which lasted for almost half an hour. Police were called to the temple, the most sacred site of the Sikh religion, but did not go inside.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/violent-clashes-at-indias-golden-temple-at-amritsar-leave-12-injured-as-rival-sikh-groups-raise-swords-over-who-speaks-first-at-memorial-9498146.html
marble falls
(56,359 posts)out in a jiffy.
muriel_volestrangler
(101,154 posts)look ridiculous. I don't often resort to gender explanations, but I think in this case I see a bunch of men who are arguing about who is the 'manliest' of all of them, rather than commemorating a massacre.
marble falls
(56,359 posts)the state government said that sometimes rape is all right. And another said, "boys will be boys."
I don't know that the list of what they might do to a woman, that while long, has anything like "listen and pay attention to women" anywhere on it.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)What you are referring to has nothing to do with this.
marble falls
(56,359 posts)cbayer
(146,218 posts)Do you think all Indians are misogynist assassins?
Iggo
(47,489 posts)cbayer
(146,218 posts)women in Sikh communities.
It is startling in it's ignorance and prejudice.
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)They lay sheets on the floor to catch blood in advance?
There is clearly a very ornate carpet installed as well.
Lordquinton
(7,886 posts)nice rugs for when it's just the regulars, covered for when there are a bunch of guys coming from all over the place with insufficient door mats.
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)If I had to guess, looking at the photos, it was more ritualistic than people actually trying to kill each other. The swords look completely blunted, no sharp edges. And they are making chopping motions, not sticking each other with the pointy ends.
I don't doubt it hurts to some degree, but it doesn't look like anyone is trying to actually kill anyone else. It makes me wonder if western journalism interpretation of the event is entirely accurate.
muriel_volestrangler
(101,154 posts)The language in the OP is:
"brandished swords and spears and chased each other"
"waving swords at each and pointing spears"
and Indian sources say much the same:
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/punjab/sgpc-workers-and-akali-dal-supporters-clash-in-golden-temple/article1-1226560.aspx
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/sword-wielding-sikhs-clash-at-golden-temple-on-operation-bluestar-anniversary/
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-violent-clashes-inside-amritsar-s-golden-temple-complex-on-anniversary-of-operation-bluestar-1993808
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Lordquinton
(7,886 posts)they are chopping swords, used best from horse back (or camel, or Elephant. Not elephant, that's what the spears are for). They are probably ritual swords carried by people who don't practice with them, but steel can still hurt.
I still say they anticipated a bunch of crusty guys coming in off a thousand mile travel and covered the nice rugs for that...
cbayer
(146,218 posts)AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Well, I guess if someone else started something...
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)All they do is beat each other up.
pinto
(106,886 posts)I know next to nothing about the Sikh religion or its various factions.