Dear Editor,

I read the article “Why Independent Sikh State” by S. Sukhbir Singh in December 23rd WSN issue. Although I liked the article and appreciated the efforts made by the author, still I would like to share some of my reservations. The author said, “Sikh’s daily prayer asks for a boon from his maker: Sbnaa jiaan kaa ikko daataa, so mein vissar na jayi Alllife is under your care, Oh God Let me not forget it.” When all life is under his care then why “A Sikh is a Punjabi foremost. “Looks as if the author were trying to define Who is a Sikh?, which is already defined by our Ten Gurus and Guru Granth Sahib. Before people believed in higher or lower status on the basis of caste, gender, etc. Our Guru dissolved these differences; as the “Patasas” (small sugar cubes) are big and small but when dissolved. in the Amrit, then, all differences are removed and only their sweetness is left! It was Guru’s blessing that made Sikh Martyrs say “Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal” as they walked towards the gallows.

About the example of Hanuman; Indian history is full of examples where injustice was done to. The poor people and for those innocent people we find no Hanuman running around! On an average 2 Women in New Delhi are burnt every day due to lack of Dowry. To fight against such corruption one needs a lot of courage: and blessing of the Guru. Sant Bhindrawale with his Amrit parchar helped the community a lot in such directions.

There are many Sikhs I know of, who are not from Punjabi origin. They are very dedicated Sikhs. For example: (1) Mrs. Harikrishan Kaur Khalsa from New Orleans contacted me and told me that for the food to the needy people on Guru Nanak’s Birthday, T could ask her ANY AMOUNT needed for this cause,

(2) Every time S. Sukhvinder Singh, S. Virinder Singh and S. Jasbir Singh Sandhu called me they expressed thanks to S. Rasamrit Singh Khalsa and Satnam Kaur Khalsa and their children for the help and dedicated shabad Kirtan when they were in Oxford prison. I must say that Khalsa family is doing a LOT MORE for the Sikh cause than many Punjabi families I know of.

(3) During my visit to Lewisburg, Dr, Gurpartap Singh Birk told me that there are 1700 inmates in that prison and vast majority are now convinced about the justness of Sikh Demands and they would like to learn more about Sikhism,. Dr. Birk asked me to arrange a video tape in English so that they can learn more about Sikhism and the life of Guru Nanak. I am still looking for such a tape. If somebody has such a tape: please send it to World Sikh News. We pray that Waheguru bless ALL SIKHS with more courage and power so that we collectively can stand for the truth and give better and true impression of Sikhism as preached by our Gurus.

 

Amolak Singh

New Orleans

Article extracted from this publication >>  January 20, 1989