Jatinder S. Hundal
Psycho analysis of recent immigrants from Punjab reveals an alarming trend of a faithless life ‘Style, cultural bankruptcy and social disorientation of Punjabi Society in general and Sikh community in particular, It was hoped, without reasons, that the events of 1984 may slow down, if not put an end to erosion of Sikh values. It has been a painful experience for the community to be betrayed by those that it trusted the most, Hindus, It may be a lesson but only if something can be learned from it. The present atmosphere of Punjab does not provide any hope that the Ghalughara was a learning experience. The recent “cultural festivals” show the level to which the Sikhs of Punjab have fallen. The open display of morally degrading behavior at these “festivals” clearly indicates that the Government of Hindustan has succeeded in pushing Sikhs into a Way of life from which Gurus had taken them out. The lack of religious discipline is giving birth to a new socially irresponsible generation bent upon destroying everything that our forefathers worked ‘so hard to build Lack of respect for moral values is helping in giving rise to corrupt and unethical leadership that provides no hope for future of Sikhism in Punjab.
It can also be clearly seen among the new immigrants that materialism has taken a strong foothold in Punjab. No not the materials, I mean the mentality of sacrificing beliefs and cultural norms in order to obtain material success. The erosion of family bonds, religious practices, cultural ties and social behaviors has put Punjab on a path of self-distinction. The imitation of cheap and baseless western values has led to an irreversible damage to Sikh ethics and high moral values. The practice of copying everything western has given birth to a new generation of young people in Punjab. The ones who cannot, due to limited resources, copy the west but have lost the respect and knowledge of their Own. This irresponsible and blind following of west has created a hollow and spirituality blind new generation of Sikhs who carry an inferiority complex and show doubts in beliefs that has maintained the Punjabi culture through ‘Out the centuries.
Unless effective and immediate Steps are taken, this will have grave consequences for the coming generations of Punjabis. We, living in the west having seen the negative effects a material culture can have on Sikhism, have turned our attention towards our roots. Because we have begun to realize that by losing our religion, language Cultural, we are losing our children. On the other hand Sikhs in Punjab have not only lost faith but also their children. Any young and new immigrant to this country reveals the inner feelings of youth in Punjab, That may be one a why the new comers to this society term us, the old ones orthodox” because we just happen to respect our heritage. One phrase that I often hear from new comers whenever talking to young: and especially those with “edification” is that people of Punjab arts more “advanced,” May be for them, it means to give up your own and live by standards set by others, It is a worrisome situation, it clearly. Shows where has gone My Punjab, My beloved Punjab. It has given birth to a confused and faithless society, a society without roots, that may witness some violent social changes in the near future.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 14, 1994
