SIKH
Sikh is a word of Pali language; it means a „learner‟ (of religion, philosophy and way of life). It is different from the Sanskrit word “Shish”, which means an ordinary student/disciple.
A Sikh is a follower of the Sikh religion, founded by Guru Nanak (1469-1539). He must have complete faith in One God, the ten Gurus, Guru Granth Sahib and its teachings and „Khande Di Pahul‟ (the Sikh initiation). A Sikh believes that all the ten Gurus had the same spiritual light; they were, in fact, one light in ten bodies. A Sikh must NOT have belief in any other faith.
A Sikh must have a specific appearance: uncut hair, beard, moustache and must wear a karaa (wrongly called Sikh bangle) and a turban (of any size, form or shape; but it should not be a cap). An initiated Sikhs must have a kirpaan (the Sikh sacred sword) in addition to the above mentioned articles of faith.
The Sikhs are a distinct nation (and according to a verdict of the British House of Lords, the Sikhs are almost a race). The Punjab is their Homeland.
Who are NOT Sikhs?
Those, who are the members of the following cults, are not Sikhs because they do not believe in ideology of Sikhism: Kookas/Namdhaaris (they worship fire, cow and do not accept Guru Granth Sahib as Guru), Nirankaaris (they consider Avtar Singh and Gurbachan Singh as Gurus), Radhasoaamis and Sacha Sauda Dera followers (they have faith in a living guru), Nurmahaliaas (they have faith in a living guru and reject Sikhism), Bhaniaara‟s followers (they don‟t have faith in Sikhism and they reject Sikhism) and those others who have faith in a living guru or a „baba‟ or a „sant‟.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)