Sir Mr.Shaikhs initiative towards securing Vatican status for Nankana Sahib (WSN January 251991) is a commendable step that must be applauded. Mr.Shaikh has displayed an excellent understanding of history and its application in today’s world being torn apart by conflict sometimes under the guise of religion.

Ever since 1947 the year the Brahmins assumed control over India the population of that land mass has been consistently and cleverly subjected to divisive psychological stimuli to promote mutual mistrust among various cultural and linguistic entities in that area. It is any ones guess as to when the guns will be turned at the Christians and other non-complaint minorities under the Brahminical subjugation in India.

Although our own history tells us that while Sikh Gurus were opposed to tyrannical and oppressive regimes they never directed their opposition towards the community or the religious group of the rulers. Guru Nanak spent his life time in the company of Muslims. He was revered by the Hindus Muslims and all others who came in his contact. Guru Ramdas Sahib invited Mian Mira Muslim saint to lay the foundation stone of the Sikhs holiest shrine Darbar Sahib Amritsar. Guru Gobind Singh had a number of Muslims in his Darbar he fought a number of battles against the Mughal ruler Aruangzeb and Hindu rulers of Himalyan foothills he never viewed Muslim or Hindu people as the “enemies.

In view of these irrefutable historical facts it is important to understand the origins and motivations behind propagation of ill will between the Sikhs and the Muslims.

The first school I attended in New Delhi happened to be in close proximity of a small but very old Muslim habitation. In my class there were three Muslim boys. Inside the class room and outside on the playing fields they were shunned ridiculed and made to feel miserable in every way one could imagine. It was shortly after Pakistan became a reality and it was not uncommon to accuse the Muslims of betraying Mother India and precipitating a division of the country.

As I look back the most nauseating part of it were the teachers taking active part in the ridicule and slander of the Muslims.

Is it any surprise that the Muslims comprising nearly 15% of the total population of that wretched political entity share no more than 1% of its economic wealth and keep getting pushed lower and lower in society?

Is it any surprise that the party of baton stick wielding youth of yesteryears Bharatiya Janata Party is seeking to secure the control of the Government by exciting the traditionally communal Hindu masses against the Muslims the Sikhs the Christians and other non-Hindu minorities.

Is it any surprise that millions of God fearing (7) Peace Loving (2) Secular” (7) and religious Hindus are being mobilized to tear down the historical mosques of the Muslims and install idols of mythical Hindu gods instead.

The Sikhs suffered immensely at the hands of the treacherous Brahminical rulers of India. While no one can undo the pain suffering anguish and deprivation of our parents sisters and children who lost their sons husbands and parents at the hands of the criminal Brahminical regime in New Delhi it is comforting to notice a growing sense of collective responsibility in the minds of the Sikh world who are learning and will always learn from the sacrifices of our martyrs.

When we remember Guru Nanak almost instinctively we say “Dhan Guru Nanak pargatya Miti dhund jag Chanan Hoya In other words the arrival of Guru Nanak ushered in an era of knowledge learning and education which cleared the fog of ignorance and paved the way for truth equality and justice. Nankana Sahib the birth place of Guru Nanak stands out as the epicenter of the revolution for spread of knowledge and learning search for the truth discovery of equality and focus on justice and fairness for the millions of people in that part of the world denied these basic rights for centuries under the Brahminical social and economic decrees. It must be restored to its rightful status as the beacon of light for these eternal values. We are fortunate that our ancestors saw the wisdom in adopting these values it will be very appropriate that we strive to remove the artificial and arbitrary barriers placed in the path of propagation and reinforcement of these values.

Although it does have a special place in the hearts of the Sikhs and they may claim a special emotional attachment with Nankana Sahib in reality it ought to be viewed as a place learning dignity of labor equality truth freedom justice esteem and peace of mind.

Before we can acquaint others with the history significance and the meaning of Nankana Sahib we the Sikhs and the Muslims must not only understand but implement the fundamental principles and values associated with Guru Nanak and Nankana Sahib. Let us as we seek to restore Nankana Sahib to its well-deserved status also resolve to banish ignorance untruth inequality injustice intolerance and ill will not only from our vocabulary but also from our minds.

Jasbeer Singh Vice President

(Alberta)

World Sikh Organization (Canada)

Article extracted from this publication >> February 22, 1991