SIKHS HEEL THYSELF: I remember our schools walls graced with the Urdu couplet: “Khudi ko kar buland itna, keh khuda tujh se Khud poochhe, bande teri razaa kya hai’ “Raise your conscience to such levels, that, God himself inquires: “My man, tell me your intentions?” The moral is clear for the Sikhs: “People get the government they deserve!” Sikhs got to build their self-esteem. They need to conduct themselves in such a way that others should perceive them as a nation. Do Sikhs have long or short range plans to get self-rule? Do other Sikhs approve and support your plans?
BUILD SIKH IDENTITY: Believe, appreciate and behave like people who are different. Educate Sikhs on their identity, history and mission. Stage memorial events from history and dramatic reenactments of historical developments. Stress uniqueness of Sikhs: and their strengths: Robustness and durability of their faith, values, way of life, and language it reflects people’s character; legends. And folklore; fight to death to protect hearth, household and honor, Literature, Art and Music; Work ethic, service, sharing and charity; Equality and human rights; Struggles for nationhood, etc.! Highlight Sikh’s zest for life, vitality and dynamism of his community, his spirit of Chardi Kala” and free flow of his adrenalin when you mention “Soora so paihchaaniye, jo lare deen ke hate” one who fights for the poor, weak, underdog and downtrodden.
Do not live in mini-Indies, do not help build outposts of Hindu Indian empire. But, live and project Sikh values and culture: Project your cookery as Sikh cuisine; Conduct Sikh rites of birth, marriage and death; Celebrate Sikh festivals; Arrange Punjabi Katha Kahani and Kavi Darbaars; Organize Sikh Sports Leagues, and cultural and political clubs; highlight the holocaust of Eightyfour, FortSeyen, and rebuilding and greening of East Punjab.
Commission works which present a portrait not a caricature of Sikhs, and which are unlike the “textbooks” from Indian Universities sterile and lifeless compendiums of chronological events. Did the faith make the Sikhs unique, or did the faith work like Sone te suhaagaa catalyst, on the virile, independent and “Jungjoo Qaum” warlike Nation?
Stop harping upon commonality with Hindus, because of a few cases of interfaith marriages, (Of course the custom of raising the eldest son as a Keshdhari is already dead). Grow out of the syndrome of a narrow Sikhism but show vigor and innovative adaptability of your culture.
SHED GUILT OF “POLITICS IN GURDWARA”: A lot of free advice, in recent times, mostly from those who gain from Sikh disunity, has come the way of Sikhs; They have practically neutralized the Sikh community, and convinced the Sikhs, that, the Gurdwara is for meditation only! ‘What nonsense. Yes, Gurdwara is for meditation also. But, anything and everything which affects the Sikh community, and requires the guidance, sanction, and blessing of the Guru, necessarily and definitely belongs in a Gurdwara. Politics is a dirty word, only when the opposition engages in it!
Wait till some of these “advisors” start preaching that Christian churches should not speak on Apartheid, civil rights, hunger, birth control, AIDS, Vietnam War, Wars in Nicaragua and San Salvador, and war on drugs, etc.!
SIKH AGENDA — WHAT AND HOW? Take time out of your favorite hobby infighting and annual elections, and address issues, which can be classified as: (1) Political. Know your identity; Free Sikh homeland, and preserve its shrines, historical places and memorials; win print and electronic media; Mobilize Sikh opinion; Organize Sikh lobbies; Eliminate anti-Muslim and Hindu Sikh “Bhai Bhai” stance of the Sikhs; Settle if Sikhism is a sect of Hinduism or a sociopolitical and religious movement? If so go educate the Sikhs.
(2) Religious: Indoctrinate the Sikhs; Restore pivotal role of Gurdwaras in community affairs and education; Analyze Sikh theology and politics; Outline role of Sikhism in a contemporary society; and work to eliminate the class structure of Sikhs Gora/Punjabi, Jat/non Jat, etc.
(3) Educational: Stop dilution and destruction of Punjabi Hindiization of Punjabi; Collaborate with American and European universities for Sikh studies; Beware of government sponsored Sikh “scholarships” and encourage habit of reading.
(4) Business: Building financial and literary enterprises such as Banks, publishing houses, libraries, Newspapers, etc.
KNOW CLASS STRUCTURE OF SIKHS: Sikhs are broadly divided between Jats and nonJats; Pro and antigovernment; Amritdhari, Keshdhari, or ‘Mone’; Rural or urban; “Congressia” Jan Sanghi or Akali and moderate or extremist; All these graduations merge into one, on the Teen Murti Marg, called “criminal tribes!” Some call the Sikhs as “Bhahpe”
Sainis, Ahluwalias, Ramgharias etc. Again, all these classifications forget the poor Mazbhis. But the division which hurts the Sikhs most is, “You are not my friend, you are an enemy.” Some Sikhs are simply “angry”, they mercilessly curse and condemn every one. However, most Indians see the Sikhs only as one class: Boorish, ignorant, chaotic, volatile, obnoxiously aggressive, unorganized, mercenaries who are too sure of their opinions and everyone is “no less a leader than his brother.” After eighty-four, any classification of Sikhs has come out to be blurred and dirty. Sikhs, of course true to their character, are nonchalant, and view any neutral or government supported “moderate” as an enemy, a coward, and ‘one who will “sell his mother” for anything.
BRING SIKHS BACK HOME: Sayaane Sikhs wise folks, must get busy and bring together the splinter groups pro and anti Khalistanis, Bombayites and Gurdas Purias. It is unpleasant to admit the differences; but, failure to recognize and pretending to ignore them is killing us. Of course the non-Sikhs are benefiting from: this all; Remember that clever monkey mediating to divide between the two cats, their piece of bread! Delhi certainly has exploited this Achilles heel of the Sikhs. The Sikhs must grow out of their Hindu past: Resentments between non Jats and Jat Sikhs are a carryover from the hierarchies of Hindu caste system. Urbanization, mobility, education and political system has cut down old dependencies and brought prosperity. The Jat Sikhs must rid their haughtiness and unsupported attitude of superiority. Voting patterns of the Jat Sikhs have been well documented to be “clannish” and invariably follow the strongest leader. The enlightened non Jat must recognize this protocol, and lead the Sikhs out of this morass. Develop common Sikh platforms, and have the minorities “buy into the plan.”
ESTABLISH COORDINATING MANJIS — Cells: Train spokespersons to be knowledgeable about Sikhs, to communicate with the media, friends and detractors alike. At local levels, pick coordinators who have fewer personal and parochial hang-ups; who through Hallaa sheri encouragement and exhortation, can get the people involved; who can direct and channelize Sikh energies; who can organize campaigns letter writing, telephone calls, contacts with local officials and participation in civic and community organizations. Establish local societies for dissemination of basic knowledge on Sikhism and Sikh causes and issues. Have regional meetings for involvement, indoctrination and promotion of Bhai Chaaraa, and develop and maintain interfaces for match making between young men and women. Set up libraries and exchange books and journals, (Currently, as soon as you buy a book, someone is ready to pinch it. Owner’s address is a gentle reminder to the thief)
ORGANIZE MINI—MORCHAS: Demonstrate your ability to “govern yourself”. Organize some mini campaigns (boycotts, etc.) to unite people and to give them a sense of participation and belonging. Most of the rabid Indian newspapers are sponsored by persons and groups who benefit from the life styles of the Sikhs: Insurance and Travel agencies; Restaurants; Sari Walas and Jewelers; Indian film and Video outlets, tradesmen and professionals, “India clubs” Indian grocery stores, and all those juveniles who are flocking abroad to sing “Gaijjals.” Largest one time expenditure of Sikhs, living abroad (Sikh Studies) Comparative Perspectives on a Changing Tradition; Juergensmeyer and Barrier), is their frequent travels to India! Why are you supporting Air India? Why do you suffer the indignities of Haryanvi Naakaa bandi Check point and Barriers? Why can’t you use alternative transportation, routes or ports of entry? Either don’t go or have your folks travel to Nepal or Pakistan! Withdraw support from unfriendly persons and financial institutions Overseas Bank; Make every penny count!
ORGANIZE REGIONAL POW VOWS: Organize regional get together out of the realm of Gurdwaras and without much Shabad Keertan. National bodies should organize Vaisakhis, Kath a/Kavi Darbars for exchange of ideas, and airing of contemporary issues. Relate brave tales on special occasions, and make Sikhs aware of their history. Disseminate stands and trends, exhort for higher ideals and high priority cause, Get together to discuss latest books, discourse ‘on contemporary life styles, and to seek guidance of scriptures on contemporary problems. Larger communities could provide the lead here and promote sports and Sikh spirit along with holiness! This way the leadership can get a pulse of the Sikhs.
ALLAY FEARS OF MINORITIES AND NEIGHBORS: Sikhs, as a minority, feel threatened and disadvantaged. Imagine the concerns of minorities in the Sikh State! Have you convinced the wouldbe minorities of your worthiness? What will be their rights and privileges? What will be the law and order like? Additionally, you will have to assure your neighbor states that you don’t have any extraterritorial ambitions and encroachments in mind, In fact propose, beforehand, cooperative ventures, such as; common markets, shared natural resources, educational and cultural facilities. Propose Bhaiwali partnership, and Sanjheprojectsjoint ventures. Assure cooperation, and not confrontation.
BUILD POLITICAL CLOUT: Build organizational, financial and political (ballot, lobbying and mobilizing) strengths so that others notice and heed you. You need to be able to sway public opinion and throw your weight around. An isolated Sikh anywhere, should have the assured support of the Sikh Qaum: Bachhraa Khoonti ke bal Koodtaa hai power is not in the person, but the office he occupies. Since the Sikhs are spread thin, their political clout is almost nonexistent. If they cannot influence the votes of their Congressmen, how can they expect to influence the Government of India? Yes, lobbying for the intervention of USA and UNO on issues of human rights and freedom of press will be helpful. HOME AWAY FROM HOME SIKH COMMUNITIES OUTSIDE PUNJAB: A dedicated community need not wait for state patronage to build an identity. Through foresight and organization Sikhs can do great things. Trail between communities of California and New York is certainly less hazardous than between say Delhi and Meerut, or for that matter the mission to negotiate Delhi’s bazaars. Villages 5 miles apart now translate into cities within two hours’ drive. Sikhism has survived the trials of 300 years; the Sikhs now have better means available. I am certain there are a plenty of Kapoor Singh’s, Jassa Singhs, Hari Singhs, and Teja Singhs, among the communities to serve the cause. All the power to them. Please give them little more free reign. Don’t drag them down.
MULTI—YEAR TENURE FOR ELECTED BODIES: Currently one year is really too short for a bunch of individuals to start and finish a program. A select committee should make a plan (goal) for the independence of the Sikh nation. The executive committees can hand over the unfinished tasks to their successor committees. So as to overcome difficult problems and to maintain continuity and stability the plan should remain relatively unaltered. The plan could be developed from a national conference,
LAUNCH A JAWAABI HAMLAA—COUNTER OFFENSIVE: Hindus have the Sikhs on the defensive. All Sikhs efforts are directed to correct their negative image: “extremist” “moderate”. Sikhs are running around explaining, “We are not Hindu” “Sikhs are honest and trustworthy”; “Sikhs have culture besides Agriculture”; “Sikhs can manage governments, factories and businesses”; “More Sikhs died for the Independence of India” Anyway, most non Sikhs genuinely believe that a Sikh is a “reformed Hindu” as do many Sikhs! Unfortunately, they don’t know any better! Sikhs should launch a counter offensive not to explain the Hindu charges, but what the Sikhs stand for! Condemn terrorist activities of Tamilians in India and Sri Lanka. Publicize (write letters to local newspapers, etc.) pro USSR activities of Indians abroad, and anti USA writings of Indian newspapers.
THE ROAD MAP: The essay may seem to be posing many questions, and not providing any answers. On the contrary, the questions themselves contain the clues! The details of moves can vary, but thrusts of leadership must include the actions: (1) Put “your own house” in order, bring the Sikhs back home, and build your identity; (2) Educate the Sikhs. (Sikhism has many if not more, offerings for this worldly matters betterment of humanity on this earth, than for “other worldly” matters betterment of self for the next world.) (3) Indoctrinate the Sikhs as a “chosen people” they have destiny to fulfill; (4) Make the Sikh state livable for minorities religious, cultural or political (5) Give the Sikhs a sense of purpose and belonging: Start a mass movement get some mini campaigns going, boycott things Indian; (6) Hire a few “Hindus” to kick up some propaganda for the Sikhs; (7) Teach Sikhs the roles and responsibilities which come with “democratic rights,” and (8) Win by reason, and not by intimidation.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 27, 1989
