A majority of the Sikhs occupy the state of Punjab (land of five rivers) in India. In old times, Punjab underwent cruelties and inhuman treatments from the invaders from the West. When Babar invaded India, about that time, the founder of The Sikh religion, Guru Nanak Dev appeared in this world to raise voice against tyranny and oppression, and to seek justice and human rights. He described the state at that time as:
“IN THIS DARK AGE, THE RULERS
HAVE BUTCHERS:
TRUTH IS ECLIPSED AND
FALSEHOOD STALKS THE LAND
LIKE THE DARK MOONLESS NIGHT”
GURU NANAK
14691539 A.D.
He said that the rulers are behaving like lions and their subordinates like dogs and both are Hargobind decided to defend human rights by force. He promoted sainthood and sovereignty. The Ninth Guru was crucified while defending human rights.
Guru Gobind Singh sacrificed everything for human rights including his mother, wife and four sons. His baptism had unique spirit, which generated immeasurable strength to individuals. The spirit of his soldiers was so high that even a single Khalsa (The Pure) would never be afraid to fight thousands of enemies for victory. They maintained courage, strength, and, unity. The Sikhs ruled most of Northwestern India under the wise leadership of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (a Sikh ruler). After his death British took over his Kingdom. The British Government tried to interfere with the Sikh way of worship under the command of some misled officers. They were taught a good lesson by Khalsa Panth. In fact, that was the initiation of the free the Sikhs. They had been world champions in hockey until the Indian Government started discriminating against them.
The ninth Guru Teg Bahadur sacrificed his life to save the Hindu religion from oppression and extinction. Maharaja Ranjit Singh defended Brahamans’ daughters and sacrificed 500 soldiers. There are hundreds of examples like this.
The sacrifices are too numerous to mention in this space, but the point is that in spite of such noble contributions, they are being discriminated, betrayed and massacred.
HUMANISTIC SIKH
DEMANDS
AN END TO RUTHLESS
REPRESSION OF
Sikhs by Police and army and release of innocent Sikh children, women and men from the jails.
Removal of restrictions on wearing Sikh symbols and allows the Sikhs to worship according to standard principles of Sikhism.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 15, 1985