Date: 6/6/2006
A Tribute to Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale & other Shaheeds on this Day: June 6////////// 'Religion and politics are inseparable and synonymous in Sikhism. This concept is a great contribution of Guru Hargobind Sahib to Sikhism. We are considered anti-national. We wish to live in India, but are the Government of India prepared to keep us in India? We want to live in India as first-rate citizens, which, as at present, we are not. We would like to live on par with other citizens, rather than slaves. As we made 90% sacrifices in the freedom struggle of the country, we are not prepared to live like slaves. Now it is for the Centre to state whether it wants to keep us as slaves or as equal citizens. I am opposed neither to Khalistan nor in favour of it. It is for the government to decide whether it wishes to keep us in India or concede Khalistan. We will accept it; we will not repeat the 1947 blunder. My mission is to ensure that every one- Hindu, Sikh, Muslim remain true to one's religion, and there is unity among all sections of people, that the modesty of woman is not violated, that all social evils are eradicated. For all this, I am dubbed as extremist. And, I do not mind being known as extremist; rather I am proud to be such an extremist.' ///////// This is what Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale had said at different times during Dharam Yudh Morcha (1982-84) and it has been reported in the SGPC White Paper, 1996 (Truth About Punjab). But on June 3, 1984, when the Golden Temple was under the siege of the Indian Army, Sant Bhindrawale did say unequivocally 'now we can not live in India: 'We need a separate home.' Earlier too, he had expressed and repeatedly said that the day the Indian Army attacked the Golden Temple and Akal Takht, foundation of Khalistan would be laid, A R Darshi says so in his renowned book, Bhindrawale the Gallant Defender (1999). ///////// And now, to carry forward the mission of Sikh Guru- fully enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, as envisaged from Akal Takht, the glorious history of the Sikhs and its recent propagation by the Sant- we in International Human Rights Organisation, propose the formation of a united front (third front) to all those opposed to the crafty politics of the so-called traditional Akalis, now largely led by Badal. And all those groups and individuals who distance themselves from the legacy of the Rajiv-Longowal Accord should co-operate, co-ordinate and actively participate in the proposed Panthic front. ////////// And they should have commitment towards the two historic documents- Amritsar Declaration and Anandpur Sahib Resolution, with an endeavour for fulfilling the spirit behind these documents and the Sikh litany Raj Karega Ga Khalsa. ///////// We in IHRO will appreciate if the interested groups or individuals could pool their efforts for doing Sarbat Da Bhala (Welfare of all) and, thus, proving that Raj Karega Khalsa, Aaki Rahey Na Koi (when Khalsa rules, no one remains in distress) and making this mission a success. So, the Guru Panth has to project only the Khalsa polity. ////////// Sri Guru Granth Sahib is a perpetual Guru (Guide) and a model for truthful living: ''Falsehood will perish, O Nanak, and truth shall prevail, ultimately.' They should start afresh and stick to a new revolutionary ideology aimed at the spiritual rejuvenation, moral uplift and social emancipation of people, confronting the dogmatism and religious hypocrisy of the priestly classes and challenging the religio-political oppression of the contemporary leaders. ///////// It was a good beginning that Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann, Shiromani Khalsa Dal president Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu and Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, on February 12, the birthday of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale, at Fatehgarh Sahib, had announced to carry forward the message of Bhindranwale to meet the aspirations of the people of Punjab with a firm faith in justice and peace. For this, they should put into practice the idea of collective leadership (Panch Pradhani) at the gross root level along with the concept of selection, propagated and practised by the Gurus and, thereafter, to sift out meritorious servers from amongst them. ///////// And they should strive to guide public opinion by propagating rational and constructive views on Sikh Polity and human rights, including the right to self-determination by virtue of which nations and peoples regain their lost countries, maintain their cultural identity, and establish basic human and economic rights. They should also co-operate and co-ordinate all political and other groups in Punjab who categorically distance themselves from the legacy of Rajiv-Longowal Accord and make commitment to secure socio-economic and political justice and the dignity of the individual. In addition, on that basis, combat racism and eradicate untouchability, castes and communalism. ///////// Will they be able to do all that, is no one's assurance because all the splinter Panthic groups have a problem of being threatened or highjacked from each other. Smaller the group, graver is the problem. Ideologically, politically or commitment-wise, there seems no difference or contradiction among them to unite for the mission of the Guru. There may be some organisational or day-to-day working problems that may be sorted out by sitting together. Problem, which may crop up in the process of uniting, is of leadership. For some time, collective leadership may the best choice. But alas, petty vested interests with little uncanny personality cult seem a big hindrance in forming the United Front to lead the Panth. ///////// We ardently hope and pray to God that they take pledge on this Shaheedi Day to get together for the glorification of the Panth and that may be real a real tribute to the Shaheeds who laid down their lives for defending Darbar Sahib and Akal Takht in June 1984. ////////// D S Gill/////// Chair IHRO/////// 000000000
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