The Sikhs of India went through a major upheaval in the early and middle part of the 20th century. Various writers/intellectuals/historians have formed opinions on the Sikh Struggle for sovereignty.
This Article attempts to lead the reader to a basic understanding of the aim of the Sikh struggle views of the Indian and British leaders during this time. With this objective in mind authentic quotes from Sikh Hindu Muslim Indian and British leaders are presented so presented in this fashion
Memorandum by Sikhs submitted to Sikander Hayat Khan to furnish evidence to the Indian Statutory Commission (1919)
While anxious to maintain their individuality as a separate community they (Sikhs) are always ready to cooperate with sister communities for the development of a united nation. They would therefore be the first to welcome a declaration that no consideration of a caste or religion shall affect the matter of organization of a national government in the country. They are prepared to stand on merit alone provided they in common with others are permitted to grow unhampered by any impediments in the way of reservation for any other community.
M.K. Gandhi in Young India dated March 16,1921
I would ask you (Sikhs) therefore to dedicate this martyrdom to Bharat Mata and believe that the Khalsa can remain free only in a free India. You cannot be free and enslave India and yet the temptation in the hour of your triumph is almost too great.
Raja Narendra Nath speaking in the Punjab Legislative Council (April 5, 1921) referred to the Privy Council ruling of 1903 which held that Sikhs were Hindus and added.
I look upon Sikhism as higher Hinduism — The Granth Sahib is nothing more or less than the higher teachings of the Vedas and the Upanishads in popular language.
Mehtab Singh one of the Sikh leaders of the Gurdwara Movement replied to Raja Narendra Nath in the Punjab Legislative Council on April 8,1921.
I for one say that if the Sikhs do not wish to remain in the fold of Hinduism why should the Hindus seek to force them to do so? What benefit can they obtain by keeping an unwilling people as Partners in their community? That Sir is at the bottom of the whole excitement. The Hindus may say we will manage your affairs for you as your Gurdwaras are partly yours and partly ours we say that we wish to manage our own affairs and look after our Gurdwaras and are determined to do so.
M.K. Gandhi in Young India dated May 22,1924:
During my first tour in the Punjab I happened to say in speaking of the Sikhs that in my opinion they were a part of the Hindu community. I did so because I knew that millions of Hindus believed in Guru Nanak and that the Granth Sahib is filled with the Hindu spirit and legends.
M.K. Gandhi commenting on ‘Are Sikhs Hindus’ said in Young India on May 22,1924
Nothing would therefore please me better than to find that the separatist tendency is confined only to a very few Sikhs and that the general body regard themselves as Hindus.
M.K. Gandhi wrote in Young India dated April 9,1925
I have based my opposition to the revolutionaries on the sole ground of experience. Therefore to compare their activities with those of Guru Gobind Singh or Washington or Garibaldi or Lenin would be most misleading and dangerous. But by test of the theory of non-evidence I do not hesitate to say that it is highly likely that had I lived as their contemporary and in the respective countries. I would have called every one of them a misguided patriot even though a successful and brave warrior.
M.K. Gandhi in Young India dated October 1,1925:
My belief about the Sikh Gurus is that they were all deeply religious teachers and reformers and that they were all Hindus and that Guru Gobind Singh was one of the greatest defenders of e May 1928 a committee with Motilal Nehru as Chairman was appointed to consider and determine the principles of the constitution. Motilal Nehru in one of the committee meetings remarked:
As I have said it is not the case of the Sikhs that they should have reservation in the Punjab apart from the other communities But the Muslim problem is an all India problem and has been viewed in that aspect. My suggestion therefore is that we should confine our recommendations to Muslim minorities both in Central and Provincial Legislatures. The communal question is essentially a Hindu Muslim question and must be settled on that basis.
M.K. Gandhi in The tribune Lahore January 1, 1929 remarked while approving the Motilal report:
Personally, i think we have not done fall justice to the Sikhs.
Hence it is necessary for all to put our heads and make suggestions and evolve order out of chaos.
J.L. Nehru giving the Presidential Address at the AICC session in Lahore on December 29, 1929
So far as I am concerned would gladly ask our Muslim end Sikh friend will ment from me.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 31, 1992
