India, Nov. 14 -- If Sikhism, at a doctrinal level, does not recognise caste - think: 'Ek pitas ekas ke ham barik (There is only one Father, we are the children of one Father)' - why do Sikhs continue to be divided along caste lines? If a religion preaches 'Rana rank barabari (The rich and poor are equal)', what justifies the subjugation of Dalit Sikhs? Translated by Akshaya Kumar and Navdeep Singh, both professors of English, Gangrene is an anthology of short stories, which confronts these difficult contradictions.

"Is this what you call Sikhi? If this is Sikhi, I will not become its blind follower." says Jagtar, the protagonist of the titular short story by Attarjit, before he shaves off his beard and throws away his kirpan, thus denou...