Santnam Kaur Khalsa
Once upon a time, there was a little chick. As he pecked for food under an apple tree, a ripe apple fell, giving him a terrible fright. He ran from the spot, screaming that the sky was falling down. He first met a hen who panicked upon hearing the news. She joined the chick, and soon they met a duck and a rooster who also joined the panic stricken group. A fox, seeing the confused birds, inquired as to the source of their fear. The birds, in their confusion, overcame their wariness of their natural enemy and told him the terrible news. The clever fox came up with a good: idea. “Trust me”, he said, “Come one by one into my den,” and I will give you shelter.” So the poor foolish birds went in one by one shelter.”
“So the poor foolish birds went in one by one until only the chick remained, Suddenly it dawned on the chick that his companions had been murdered by the fox, and he ran for his life. He decided that it ‘was better to take his chances with the sky, than to trust someone like the fox, whose nature was well known to all. This story is not meant for the children alone. Let us examine the plight of the Sikhs in India, outside of Punjab. My observation is that they are like chickens in a foxes den, totally helpless and vulnerable. No matter how brave they may be, they are outnumbered by a population that has been seen to explode into communal violence at the slightest provocation, time and time again. Like the fox, the Indian politicians assure the Sikhs that they are safe in India, (the foxes den) and some Sikhs wish so dearly to believe it. The government tells us that Sikhs create their own problems, and the Khalistan is are doing all the killing. Recently I was approached by a student from South India who asked me what I thought about the Punjab situation. “It is a problem of violation of human rights,” 1 told him. Oh, the indignation he expressed, the outrage! How could I say such a thing about dear India! What a vicious assault on the mild people of non-violent India!
He proceeded to inform me that the only problem is the infamous “SIKH TERRORIST.” No fault of the government or racist gangs. One of my articles printed in a Madison newspaper drew similar responses from irate nationalist Indians. One wrote, “Khalsa’s views are a disgrace to any Indian.” He added, “There are no human rights violations in India, and no right minded Indian would discriminate against the Sikhs.” He assured all that Sikhs are wealthy and could never be considered an oppressed minority.
All right now, step forward all you right minded Indians, and tell us what happened in South India on, and after September 15. We are talking about South India, far from the so called “terrorists” of Punjab. According to Indian news sources, anti-Sikh riots broke out that resembled those in New Delhi in 1984. The difference was the reason for the riots. During the 1984 riots, the “right minded” Indians had an excuse to give for their inexcusable communal violence, that is, their supposed or fined grief over the death of one of the most hated despots in the history of India. This time, it was racist hatred and envy of the Sikhs. Wake up Sikhs! It is like being in the foxes den. How can Sikhs ever be safe in India! Although the Sikhs of South India are humanitarians who have built hospitals and schools, the Indian population: eyes them with an uncanny hatred. The frenzied, communal minded and anti-social Indians have attacked the Sikhs for these reasons: they are envious of the Sikhs prosperity, and they are also militant extremist Hindus. The riots were said to be touched off by the refusal of some Sikh students to donate to the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. | suppose that any “right minded Indian” should, but we consider it against our religion to worship idols, even if they happen to have elephant heads. Bloody riots followed with all the “right minded” Indians on the rampage killing Sikh students, burning their homes and businesses. The riots continued for days without police intervention.
Now back to our little story. Sikhs living in India, outside of Punjab, are at the mercy of a population controlled by fanaticism and hatred. For whatever reasons, starting perhaps with the Sikh Gurus denunciation of idol worship, the Hindus of India have _come to detest the Sikhs. For all the love and trust the Sikhs may have, they are bound to be finished in such a society unless they come. Together in unity as a nation Granted, it should be possible for Sikhs to live in India, as they do throughout the world, however the latent violence of the Indians makes it a great risk. Just as in our story, the bird knew the fox’s nature; we also know the nature of the average “right minded” Indian. So why do we continue to live at such a cost? In’ numbers there is strength, just as a thread alone is easy to break, but when threads are combined to make a rope, it is very strong. We must join together: to protect the honor of the Sikh nation. Sikhs living in Indian occupied Khalistan are at a great risk from the occupying forces, however, the risk of living in India’ appears to be much greater. There is no way to predict when a senseless riot will break out in India. Why wait to become a faceless statistic? If we must die, let it be for a good cause!
Article extracted from this publication >> October 28, 1988
