The world human population is increasing at an alarming rate in some geographic areas, while in the U.S.S.R., Western Europe, and the United State sit is showing a negative growth or a trend of barely keeping up the balance.

In June 1989, the world religious population figures showed the following percentages: On June 28, 1990, Contel Almanac presented the birth rate of the world population in the following words: “Within one minute you read the first word of this sentence, 160 babies will be born. Of these, 50 will be born in India, 34 in China, and 11 in Soviet Union.” The facts prove that China has controlled its population while Indian population is exploding, and the birth rate in India has reached the top of the world birth rate.

There is not much increase in population growth of Sikh community in Punjab, India. The estimated world population of Sikhs in 1989 shows a growth of 600,000 for the whole year. The situation in Punjab, India is critical since the Operation Blue Star of 1984 when the Indian Army attacked the Golden Temple, Amritsar and thirty nine other Sikh historical gurdwaras all over Punjab and put the state under siege. Several military and paramilitary operations have victimized innocent Sikhs since then. Red Rose (an Operation against youth of five to thirty years old), Wood Rose (against every male in the open fields), Operation Munds (also against the males in a specific area)… Loss of Sikh lives is reported to be in millions, although official accounts may hold it to thousands only. State oppression of the Sikhs continues in a variety of ways and Sikhs are being killed in fake encounters on a regular basis. On August 12, 1990, Justice AS. Bains, while addressing the Sangat of Gurdwara Singh Sabha of Dallas, Texas, pointed out that at least ten Sikh youths are killed every day in fake encounters alone the encounters being arranged by the police and security forces in Punjab.

In this grim situation, Sikh population must grow at a much faster rate than usual. One child in a Sikh family means negative growth; two means no growth at all; three means positive growth of the Sikh community. Khalsa ji, the ideal number for these critical times is five. May Waheguru help each ‘Sikh family to meet the challenges of the day with success and dignity?

Pritpal Singh Chatha, Associate Professor Business and Economics resides in Hawkins. Texas.

Article extracted from this publication >> November 23, 1990