India, April 12 -- Tuesday, April 14, 2026, marks the birthday of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar and the Sikh religious festival of Baisakhi. Both, B R Ambedkar and the Sikh Gurus fought against caste discrimination. But caste in Sikh history has been complicated terrain.

The Sikh faith was founded on the cornerstone of brotherhood, equality and fraternity. The founder of the faith, Guru Nanak was born in 1469 Common Era, a time when the Punjab and Northern India were witness to invasions, inter-religious conflict and caste atrocities.

Nanak, through his life and teachings, sought to bring religious communities closer and end caste discrimination.

"Guru Nanak belongs to the Bhakti tradition (although Sikh scholars disagree) of Medieval Nor...