The Sikhs are at the crossroads and theirs’ is a tryst with destiny. When Guru Gobind Singh bestowed upon them the form of Khalsa, he accompanied that with the injunction that the Khalsa remain true to the ideals of equality and justice for all.
India became independent in 1947. The Sikhs, 40 years later, have yet to savor the glow of freedom promised to them by the Indian Parliament leaders of that time, now after many false starts, many blind alleys and many wrong turns, the Sikh nation stands poised for decision and action.
May our history guide us, may our tradition govern us, for this is our day. What we do today must rest squarely on what our teachings, history and tradition have given us; but equally important, what we do today will determine what tomorrow will be. Much as a day follows night, the dawn of awakening, renewed faith in our Khalsa ideals stems from the heavy price our people have paid. Never again will the Sikhs pawn their future for the fragile promises of politicians. Never again, will the future of Sikh youth be determined by anti-Sikh governments. Never again will the Sikhs compromise their destiny, which is to live as a free sovereign people. To make this possible, Sikh must become true Sikhs, for the sacrifices of our people are not in vain. For this is the dawning of the age of Khalsa,
Today, we rededicate to a better awareness of our own heritage, so we can live as better Sikhs and make this coming decade, the last: decade of the twentieth century, the “Decade of the Khalsa.” A decade of resurgence of Sikh values and Sikh way of life as enunciated by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, so that 300 years later, 1999, will see the blossoming of the nation of the Khalsa.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 2, 1990
