Dear Editor:

For a long time a controversy has been going on particularly in the Sikh Circles regarding mixing of religion and politics. Some Sikhs argue that politics should be kept separate from religion while others stress that in Sikhism religion and politics are combined since the days of Guru Har Gobind. Before going too deep into the controversy, let us define both the terms first.

According to Webster’s dictionary, one of the definitions for religion is “a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith”, Politics is defined as “Political activities characterized by artful and often dishonest practices”.

If we go by these two definitions, then I have no hesitation in saying that religion should not be mixed with politic. But if we go to more basic definition, then religion not-only means following some rituals and beliefs but also to stand for truth, justice and human rights. Similarly, politics is not merely an art of winning elections and ruling a country but also to fight for the rights of minorities and provide equal justice to rich and poor. These definitions of religion and politics basically talk of the same fundamentals values, and in this way I do not see any problem if politics and religion are mixed. To ‘me they appear to be inter-changeable.

Let us go back to our ancient culture, If mixing of religion and politics was a taboo, then Ram Chander, the Supreme spiritual Lord of Hindus, would not have fought a war with King Ravan, nor Lord Krishna would have encouraged and even participated in the Mahabbarat, which was basically a political fight for kingdom between Kauravas and Pandavas. Similarly, if religion and politics were ‘two separate and unmixable commodities, Guru Nanak would not hhave raised voice against Babar nor Guru Gobind Singh would have fought so many wars with Hindu Rajas and Mughal Emperors.

But one of the distinguishing features of these examples was that these holy persons were fighting for some basic religious principle of truth, justice or human rights, and not for nay petty personal gain or lust for power. Their politics was dominated and guided by religion and not the other way around.

In conclusion, I will suggest to my Sikh brethren that if they want to fight for upkeep of Sikh religion, the truth and justice for Sikhs and in fact all humanity, then there is nothing wrong in combining politics and religion rather they will be following the foot prints of their Gurus. On the other hand if they use politics in religious places to carry on their schemes for personal power or glory and indulge in all kinds of ‘dishonest practices’, then we better keep religion and politics absolutely separate.

Daljit Singh Jawa Topeka-Kansas

Dear Editor:

Amir Tuteja, despite his deep concern about the appalling conditions in Punjab (IA Apr. 25), has only tackled the symptoms and not the root cause of the problem. Military force has already been proved a dismal failure to usher a lasting peace, It can, at best bring a temporary calm, It rather conflagrates dis-satisfaction and wild emotions.

If the ruling party is partial, unjust and oppressive, the oppressed would, naturally, all other peaceful means having failed and patience exhausted, retaliate and resort to violence to give vent to their grievances; and they are, often, termed as “Terrorists”. Punjab trouble, in essence, is no different from that of Israel and Palestine. Extremists keep on growing in number in direct proportion to the torture inflicted upon them, in utter disregard to their fundamental rights and justice, by the oppressive administration, till there is no moderate left to be isolated from. There is no born terrorist in the world. Nobody loves to be shot or killed for the hack of it, Only the circumstances created by those in power, for their selfish ends, make them as such. Hundreds and thousands of men, women and children have been killed and are still behind the bars, without assigning any reason, warrant, and appeal or Tegal process. Thousands have been rendered widows, widowers, orphans, homeless and jobless, only for the asking of their fundamental rights.

Until the ruling administration stops using double standards for evaluation of our character, morality and justice, retaliation, in some shape or form is sure to continue. When those in power engage in violence, they claim it their right for the maintenance of peace and order; but if the oppressed retaliate, it is ‘terrorism’ and extremism. Use of force is a divine right of an individual, only if all other conceivable peaceful efforts have been tried and failed, as sanctioned not only by the code of Sikhism put also by Lord Krishna in Bhagwad Gita,

Qumar Kaur Denver, Col.

Dear Editor:

Clearly the most recent invasion of the Golden Temple Complex in Amritsar indicates the Hindu Government’s intention to squash all Sikhism.

I find it outrageous that Hindus who have Gods and temples to honor every part of the anatomy including some unmentionable ‘ones, won’t tolerate even one holy shrine for all Sikhs in India and abroad,

Ironically, these “Brahimns” ‘who aren’t supposed to let a shadow so much as cross their paths don’t mind bloodying their hands ‘with the blood of innocent principled Sikhs, What a bunch of phoney, superstitious people these Hindus are.

If I were a farmer in the Punjab, Td forget about Khalistan. I’d sit right on my duff, growing just enough food for my family and fellow Punjabis. I’d let the rest of India fend for itself. Perhaps those holy Hindu men will come with a new god: the god of good, hard work!

S.J. Singh Palo Alto, CA.

Dear Editor,

Please note the news item in your newspaper of 10th April 1986 tilled “Four will Die For Each Policeman Killed, Punjab Police Chief Vows.

This statement by the police chief Julius Ribeiro says it all, it portrays the attitude of the Gandhi Gov’t and Hindus at large toward India’s minorities. This time they happen to be Sikhs,

In second world Nazis used to retaliate by wiping out a whole village for every Nazi killed by the freedom fighters (In 1943 at Khaguanaz in Yugoslavia all the high school children were killed by Nazis). It only drove more civilians into the ranks of the underground. Treating Punjab like an ‘occupied country will not work. For they should know that it is not possible to kill the idea of Human Rights, Religious and democratic freedom’s with guns.

Yours truly,

J, Walker

Article extracted from this publication >> May 9, 1986