Sikhism is perhaps the most misunderstood religion and so are the Sikhs. Iris a way of life.
Can religion be separated from politics? No, not at all, because politics’ without ethical and moral values of life, would be a place for scoundrel’s only. The power hungry rulers would behave as butchers and the administrators under them would be free to fleece the people by corrupt means, Justice would ‘be conspicuous by its absence, Freedom would be worse than slavery. Democracy, secularism and equality would appear as empty slogans. Then Birth, not worth shall rule mankind. Wealth ‘would be lavishly spent on arms of destruction instead of spending it for the welfare of mankind and for protection of life. When life as a whole, we know is governed by Taws of nature, under the constitution of God, also it is governed by social and political laws, framed by politicians. How can religion, which is nothing but “code of conduct” laid down by God for leading a purposeful and useful whole life be separated from politics, which is necessary for smooth running of society and for safeguarding the basic rights of individuals.
No religion, worth the name has been separated from politics. Politics has been rather integral part of every religion. God Rama and Lord Krishna were rulers. “Jahad” is nothing but a political war against nonbelievers in virtues. Mahatama Gandhi mixed religion in politics, “Ahimsa Parmo Dharma” was his creed. Just to keep scheduled class in Hindu fold, he underwent a fast unto death.
‘Even today, the so-called secular Congress leaders perform religious rites at the time of inauguration ceremonies. They take help from purely religious saints, priests, astrologers in their political elections. They have chosen pair of bullocks; cow and calf (which are worshipped by Hindus) as a symbol of the party for political purposes. Ganga, which is the most sacred river ‘of Hindus is going to be purified at the national expense.
So far as Sikhism is concerned, it is a social religion grounded political society and is committed to a plural world society, Sikhism considers said soldier as an ideal model of human beings. As the five basic tenets of modern civilization such as sovereignty of man, plural of society, equality of man and secularism rest with the people, so Sikh religion can’t be separated from politics under any circumstances.
Even Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, who is known as apostle of peace and harmony, mingled religion with politics, by protesting against the invasion of Babar and the corruption of Lodh is for which he was imprisoned. Similarly Guru Arjan Dey Ji had to suffer for refusing to pay unjustified tax levied on Kashatries, Guru Hargobind sanctified politics by ‘becoming the Saint soldier and by constructing Akal Takht right in front of Golden Temple at Amritsar. Ultimately Guru Gobind Singh created a nation of Saint soldiers called Khalsa at Takhat (throne) of Kesgarh Sahib,
‘The birth of Khalsa, proved to be birth of freedom movement, According to Latif, “Guru Gobind Singh was a law give in a pulpit, a champion in field, a king over his Masands and fagirin the society of Khalsa, He brought about spiritual socialism in India based on principles of democracy, secularism and equality of mankind, On comparing the Sikh rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh with the secular rule, one can easily conclude that polities should be kept subservient to religion. Thus the Sikhs are justified in making use of places of Bhakti and Shakti, which are very close to each other, for securing the basic rights of people, including the Sikhs in the fields of religion, society and politics. Freedom is as much the birth right of the Sikhs as of any other.
Article extracted from this publication >>September 5, 1986
