The Sikhs, a community of the world’s youngest faith scattered throughout the world with roots in Punjab, have established themselves as academics, medical and other professionals, technicians, farmers, transporters, businessmen, and military personnel, They have never ending faith in their religion (synonym Truth) and the Sikh way of life. The Sikh faith, which was acquired from their 10 masters, Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Gobind Singh and subsequently from the teachings of their masters as compiled in Guru Granth Sahib is strong.
Sikhs throughout the world have been going through enormous psychological pressure especially since June 4, 1984. This was the time when this community was celebrating the martyrdom of their first martyr, and fifth guru, Guru Arjan Sahib ji. The Indian armed forces comprised of heavy artillery, armored infantry, naval and air force units using gunboat helicopters executed a sinister plan. It was code named “Operation Bluestar,” and under the directions of then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi and her son, Rajiv Gandhi (She was succeeded by him when she fell victim to her own intelligence agencies (Research and Analysis Wing, Intelligence Bureau as well as security personnel of special squad) on October 31,1984.)
This was a systematically hatched plan to slander, humiliate, and exterminate Sikhs not only in Punjab, but elsewhere. However, Indira Gandhi and other Indian administrations led by her father Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi, V.P.Singh, Chander Shekhar and now, P.V. Rao have failed to achieve their goals to eradicate the Sikhs. This is despite their imposition of black laws, immunity to armed personnel who participate in atrocities, tortures, rapes, inhumane treatment and gross violation of the human rights of Sikhs in Punjab, in particular, Indian Muslims of Kashmir and elsewhere, Christians, Dalits and other non-Brahmin Hindus (Amnesty International, India Torture, Rape & Deaths in Custody, March 1992). The motives of Indian administrations in suppressing Sikhs and other minorities have been discussed elsewhere in detail (Sekhon AS 1989 The Sword 6:2325; Dilgeer HS and Sekhon AS 1992. The Sikhs’ Struggle for Sovereignty: An Historical Perspective (ed) A.T .Kerr. The Sikh Educational Trust, Box 60246,
University of Alberta Postal Out let, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2S5 Canada).
However, it should be pointed out that the late philosopher poet, Dr. Mohammed Iqbal, a native of Kashmir, had said that he extensively studied the major religions and their philosophies and concluded that those faiths were eradicated which did not have the state support or were not protected by their followers. Dr. iqbal’s hinuddhism, which originated in India. The moment ‘Ashoka gave up state protection, Buddhism lost its roots in India and was swallowed up by external pressure, Dr.lqbal states further that,” I have studied another faith critically which started with recitation and combination of the musical instrument of Mardana °
(Guru Nanak’s disciple) and Guru Nanak’s composition.
It flourished despite all odds and adversaries of times because successors of Guru Nanak and his followers have been taught that nothing is above truth, “truth is high, still higher is truthful living,” and truth must be protected, Truth is truth regardless of the followers. This is the main reason for which the Sikh faith has stood firm despite persecution, prosecution, tortures and atrocities.”
Attempts are being made to slander and defame Sikhs in various ways, for example: destroy their heritage, language, culture, scriptures, holy places, Darbar Sahib, Akali Takht Sahib (The Seat of Polity), spread misconceptions about their tenets, about Sikhs” dastar (turban); that it is not the part of the 5 Ks (Kangha, Kes, Kachhara, Kara, Kirpan), Without doubt, the dastar is not among SKs, but those who spread misconceptions forget the teaching of Guru Granth Sahib, “Sabat Surat Dastar Sira,” that a Sikh’s form is incomplete if he does not wear dastar (turban) whether he is an initiated (amritdhari) or uninitiated (non-amrit dhari) Sikh. Unfortunately, many Sikhs yielded to the external pressure of Hindu dominating Brahminical Indian government, prominent among them is Patwant Singh.
The Government of India is spending tax payer’s money to encourage Indian writers, academics, and journalists to write against the Sikh Gurus, Guru Granth Sahib and its followers (Singh L 1992 Sant Sipahi 47 (4):35:46(12):23,1991; 46(9):27,1991; 46(8):24:1991; 46(7):32, 1991; 46(6):24,1991; 46(5):32,1991; 46(4):37,1991; 46(3):30,1991; 46(2):40,1991; 45(11):29,1990). The anti-Sikh campaign of the Indian government continues in foreign countries where the Sikhs reside, although foreign governments and Sikhs’ fellow countrymen have a much better understanding about what Sikhs are going through than prior to June 1984. It is of special interest to note that the Sikhs, according to their traditions, believe in a collective approach rather than in individual action, whether it relates to resolving community of societal matters. They always put national feelings and interests above all, provided there has not been any deception in plans, The community has learnt a hard lesson after a history full of betrayals and deceptions of Brahminical Hindu Indian administrations since August 15,1947. Yet, the Sikh community is not community of saints and some so-called moderate or ‘elite’ Sikhs may. perceive the situation differently, individually or with motives of self-interest rather collectively. The recent example being the formation of the Alliance of Sikh Organizations in Canada in May 1992, Hotel Skyline, Toronto, Ontario, on the invitation of the Minister of Multiculturalism, Government of Canada. The approach of the Canadian government will undoubtedly be viewed as creating division in the community of Sikh Canadians. This will invite unwanted interference of foreign nation and some pseudo-ambassadors. The Minister of Multiculturalism overlooked the fact that pre-existing Sikh organizations, e.g. The World Sikh Organization, The International Sikh Youth Federation and Babbar Khalsa International, have been serving their community efficiently and appropriately without a single penny of support from the Canadian Government, Here, the Minister responsible formed an impotent organization and made available to it a substantial sum of tax payer’s hard eared dollars. The Minister of Multiculturalism forgot that Sikh Canadians have managed their affairs without any external or government support and they will continue to do so in the future as well.
Where the Sikhs wanted to get some support from the Canadian government in order to set the record straight and to remove suspicion about the Sikh Canadians has not been received so far. That is the “Appointment of a Royal Commission on Air India Flight 182, crashed off the Irish Coast in June 1985,” Is this because the Indian government missions and its intelligence agencies have possibly been involved in this unfortunate mishap? Is it because the Brahminical Indian government will be displeased with the appointment of a Royal Commission? Regardless, the Sikh Canadians would like to see their community’s name cleared and that it be recognized that they are as good Canadians as any fellow Canadian.
Sikh Canadians would like to see that the Government of Canada link any further aid to India with Human Rights violations whether it is for Sikhs, Christians, Muslims, and non-Brahminical Hindus. With respect to India, in view of the indiscriminate killings of Sikhs, Kashmiri Muslims,
Biharis, the Assamese, and Tamils, all peace-loving countries of the world, including Canada, should exert pressure on the Indian government to sit down with the Sikhs, Kashmiri Muslims and other groups to demarcate boundaries of their sovereign nations.
Khalistan, in fact, would not be the first Sikh state to exist, but would be like the Punjab (1799) before it. The British annexed the Sikh nation after the death of the Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh (1799-1839), not any Brahmin or Hindu ruler. Consideration should be given to the actions of the British in surrendering Punjab to India on August 15,1947. This act was a mistake as deemed by the last half century of Sikh-Indian government relations.
The only recourse available is to correct the deed of the British. Some academics, historians and politicians may say that Sikh leaders chose to stay with Jawaharlal Nehru. However, one must not overlook the fact that Sikhs were given every assurance that their welfare, interests, culture, heritage, and language would be looked after, and that no constitution of India would be implemented if it was not acceptable to Sikhs. Can the Hindu dominating, government of India or any sympathizers of India prove that the Indian constitution has endorsement of any Sikh leader. On the other hand, it is in public records that the late Sardar Hukam Singh, one time Speaker of Indian Parliament, while on his death bed, asked for the forgiveness by the Khalsa Panth for having turned his back on the Panth.
The world leaders are obliged to stop the bloodshed in Punjab, Kashmir and elsewhere, that has been flowing since the first regime of Nehru assumed control of India on August 15,1947. World leaders, especially the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, Pakistan and Afghanistan must arrange for a plebiscite, under the auspices of the United Nations, to get, the verdict on matters pertaining to Sikhs and Kashmiris.
World leaders must consider the, memorandum of Sardar Simranjit” Singh Mann, President of Akali Dal, of July 12,1991, to the then Governor of Punjab, O.P. Malhotra, that the Sikhs are Sikhs just like East is East and West is West and twain shall never meet.
There is a clear-cut indication: that the Sikhs of Punjab would not settle for less than their sovereign nation-The Republic of Khalistan, Before the plebiscite is held, the world leaders must ensure that all paramilitary, military, and intelligence contingents of India are withdrawn from the soil of Punjab and other states who have been struggling for their sovereign status and independence from the colonial rule of Brahmins who dominate the Indian government.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 17, 1992
