WHAT the Sikhs have experienced in 1984 is unprecedented in the history of Sikhs after Moghul atrocities. Thousands of Sikhs aged and children were brutally murdered bummed alive and women raped by Hindu gangs known to the rest of the world as cow worshippers.

 The World always had something or the other which caught more attention than the sufferings of a minority in India a country already of lesser interest to the Western world, The Bhopal incident and the African famine overshadowed this massacre, the kind ‘of which is unheard of in the this day and age, The total number of Sikhs killed in 1984 might have exceeded $0,000 no counts are available. The world didn’t know that tens of thousands of Sikhs became homeless refugees in the wintery north of a country for the freedom of which they laid more lives than any other community. Many of these probably voted for the ruling Congress party. The ruling Congress government organized this massacre (not satisfied with the killing of thousands of Golden Temple) using the men and material (rods and potasschlorate powder).

The communal government surpassed Moghul tyranny by not allowing even Red Cross to help the Sikh refugees, leave aside the help from concerned Sikhs of Punjab and overseas.

These incidents have shook, touched and even angered millions Of Sikhs all over the world. The scars inflicted on our hearts are pretty deep. The common question is Where Do we go from here?

These incidents, the attitude of many Hindus and their government has awakened us all to “begin to learn and realize”.

The Sikhs have been “used” by: Britishers by Indian freedom struggle and by Indian government during wars with China and Pakistan. We, being very keen to “achieve” without thinking as to for whom, are very susceptible to be Used — just a pat on the back.

We have demonstrated high sincerity, loyalty, and perseverance, besides courage and strength; We did not act shrewd or smart while the rulers (who were beneficiaries of our sacrifices) acted more selfish, clever and antiSikh.

In today’s world, achievers don’t “be the first to sacrifice”, “throw a challenge”, or “open their hearts”. They don’t offer sympathy and loyalty unless it is worth it. Wars are won by soldiers (or strength) and nations are ruled by smarts who employ their brains to use the strong, deploy their energies to plan and time right, they act and try not react. ~ Many Sikhs have succeeded as entrepreneurs, professionals and clever politicians and others have succeeded as businessmen, officer’s soldiers and farm operators.

Unfortunately, the smart class became busy in its own “affluence” (the Indian gauge of success) and never even suspected the long term plans of the Indian government against Sikh faith.

The clever Sikh politicians found the Congress party as their best before their future. The Congress party in tum made efforts (0 keep “Such Sikhs” with it, used them against Punjab and ensured that Akali Dal was left with Saints ‘only who could not understand dirty politics and plans.

The capable Sikhs in Indian forces were placed in good positions, they felt treated right” and had difficulty understanding Punjab’s problem.

‘The smart business venturist, of course, had to depend on quota licenses “granted” by the ruling Congress. Understanding Punjab’s problems did not profit him.

Then who were left to understand Akali Dal’s campaign movement against the Central government which had manipulated Punjab’s waters, electricity from its hydro dam and its farm income, from the huge size of its crops? obviously, the farmer who happened to have some time in between the crop seasons.

The accelerated government interference in the Sikh religion in the 80’s helped Bhindranwale realize and expose Indian government plans against the Sikhs. He felt the War against Sikh religion had been planned and waged ever since India was partitioned the writers Of the book “Hindu Sikh Conflict” proved it.

Bhindranwale saw this war waged by the government using its forces (police and army), its media (radio and TV), intelligence agencies (like RAW and LB officers) and finances

He tried not only to reach the common man and the farmers, but also the Sikh intelligent. He couldn’t envision winning this war being a Sant alone, so chose to be a soldier. How could the Indian government tolerate it? The rest is known history.

The farmers alone can’t fight this war. It’s an obligation on us all now to pool together our skills, abilities, thoughts, ideas, services, and donations and combine these with the hard work and sacrificing abilities, we are already blessed with.

“HOW CAN WE DO IT?”

A. OVERSEAS SUPPORT: Most of us settled outside of India are in free countries, enjoying freedoms, rights and access to media unlike our brothers within India. Furthermore, most of us (abroad) are professionals with better skills and positions and are financially well placed. We can do much more than we think. Could the people of Punjab take our case to Human Rights Commission? The media here is not run by AIR or Door Darshan T.V. The Indian government’s major worry is how to control the “uncontrollable” overseas. We can make a difference. The Jews outside Israel have made a difference for those within that country.

B. AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT: While it was not difficult to find Hindus (who witnessed the torture f Sikhs) say: “It was unbelievable”, it was also easy to see some Sikhs abroad say: “It was the fault of the Sikhs themselves”. While many eminent Hindus took the effort and time to write several books exposing the government’s excesses and dirty politics, many Sikhs abroad have yet to hear about the names of these books.

It is almost a sin to be unaware in today’s world, particularly when you are hurt. The habit of reading and extending our interests into everyday news is the minimum we should do, not for the community, but for ourselves too. To read about past freedom struggles and the fights for independence, can further make us.an “aware” community. Membership of a Sikh organization and subscription to a Sikh Related publication, is the mi ‘mum contribution we must make

We also have to educate ourselves through weekly/monthly Ret together, Let us exchange views with tolerance and appreciation of others’ view point. Let us forget our levels, status, backgrounds and “I know better” attitudes. Let us “listen”. ~ We also have to search those who are making sincere efforts to do several things for the Sikh cause placing the interests of their professions and families behind, Let us support them before they exhaust and offer whatever we can to add to their efforts.

C. AMBASSADOR OF SIKHISM: We can project an image of Sikhs in these countries which the government of India’s propaganda cannot wash. Anytime there is a sympathy shown by a newspaper, network, individual, or a reporter, ‘we must be thankful, preferably by writing it takes a few cents for a letter. We have to be courteous and keep our cool containing our emotions where it pays to do so.

F. UNITY: The strength of the U.S. is recognized in its diversity of backgrounds of people. Every one of us has “SOMETHING TO OFFER”. We can disagree but cannot fight disagreement sooner or later. We cannot afford to fight now yet we have to be careful of those who still are looking for selling community interests for a personal gain.

‘The issue of cleans haven Amrit hari is sensitive. The Amrit dhar is have to recognize that the views and convictions are better created from within (and they last longer) than “enforced”. A Sikh has to recognize all those may be incomplete Sikhs. I tis hard to find a cleans haven Sikh who is not impressed by a graceful bearded, calm, well dressed Aritdhari

‘No matter whatever our for in the eyes of the government and the majority, we are all “Sikhs”.

E. MORALE: If one had questioned surviving Jews as to their future during their mass extermination by Hitler, none could foresee what you see now in this world.

Even during the 1947 partition, those Sikhs who suffered the worst did the best after the initial years of difficult settlement. True, those who lost their lives can’t be seen again.

We have to recognize that though this is the first time Sikhs have suffered at the hands of angry and fanatic Hindus, and their policies, Muslims in India have gone through racial riots many times after the Britishers left. An attempt ‘was made recently to ban even the “Koran”. The future of a country community is made by a “few”. It will be made by our “kind” who are different than the majority of India, Let’s revive our pride, and discover our strength.

F. HEALTH: The concern of some American Presidents about health of an American is noteworthy. Also, it is heard “You are what you eat”. The strength of a community lies in its individual’s health both physical and mental. The effects of drugs (including alcohol) are well known to us these kill people mentally. Specific foods suit better for mentally fatiguing work specifically where conveniences ease the physical exertion and demand more mental alertness and endurance, Religious devotion/meditation provides internal (Spiritual) strength which reinforces the human mind like nothing else The Sikh religion recognized five culprits or weaknesses which area drain on the “mental power” the most precious thing a human being can possess. Let us Sikhs recognize these weaknesses, and enhance the precious power.

G. FUTURE: ‘Our destiny and future will be determined more by what we invidually sacrifice, and less by what our leaders say.

Today, we need to slow down in our criticism of Sikhs. We need more to realize our strengths as well as weaknesses. Most important yet is to ask ourselves “What I have done for the Sikh community?” If I have not been able to, when can I start? Many things which we may do for our Sikh community can help us in our individual life and profession as well Let us all work towards involvement, unity, moral, physical and ‘mental strength. Let us at least support those who are doing something for our cause, if we ourselves can’t do much Let us recognize virtues of our faith and remember excesses done to our brethren, Let us “Reach Out and touch one Sikh”,

FINAL WORD: The awakening brought to us by the atrocities and the sacrifices of our brethren is very precious The flame lit within us has to be kept alive. The spilled blood of a Sikh does not go to waste; we just have to ensure it’s spilled at the right time and place. Tomorrow Sikhs will be stronger, more capable, successful and proud.

The Sikhs are sure rise to be an economic power anyway, because of their inherent traits, and the tragic experience of 84 will simply speed up the process for them to rise to political power the biggest fear of Hindus and their government.

Article extracted from this publication >> November 21, 1986