CHANDIGARH, Punjab—Rajasthan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (RSGPC) senior vice president Prof. Baljinder Singh Morjand has written an open letter to the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, taking up Sikh concerns including the release of Sikh political prisoners. The letter explains the resentment of the Sikhs under Indian rule since 1947. While the letter was originally penned in Hindi, its English translation is being provided for the benefit of our readers –
File Photo: Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President, India
Respected President,
Waheguru Jee Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Jee Ki Fateh!
On 69th Independence Day of India, I congratulate you. However, being a Sikh, I feel as a slave in the independent India. Bitter experience gained in last 68 years has made us not able to differentiate between India and those countries whom we call foreign. Being a representative of my society, it is my moral duty to share what my heart feels as a citizen of India. The country whom we accepted as ours 68 years ago, refuses to treat us equally.
I would like to bring some incidents to your notice. These incidents have caused distress to the Sikhs in India –
In medical entrance examination held this year; Sikh students were asked to remove their Karha and Kirpan. Such a requirement was completely intolerable and due to this restriction, some students could not appear in the examination. This decision was against a minority community, and was taken by the government of the country for which we sacrificed more than anyone else. If the decision like this would have been taken by the countries like France, USA and others, we would have ensured its withdrawal by fighting a legal struggle. Please tell me, which struggle we should fight against our “own country”?
Why the government and country is not serious about the 83-year old Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa who has been undertaking fast-unto-death since January 16 for the release of Sikh political prisoners. In the case of Sarabjit Singh who was jailed in Pakistan, Indian government talked about human rights by building pressure on international level. However, India dislikes to hear voice of human rights in case of its own imprisoned citizens. Why it is so?
The incumbent government is saffronizing education in India. It is not only condemnable but worrisome. Adding Yog, Gita, Surya Namaskar and promoting Sanskrit language instead of Punjabi in the syllabus violates the human rights of religious minorities. These tactics raise a question mark on the secularism of India. It may hit the integrity of India, besides its reputation.
32 years ago, massacre of Sikhs was launched in the capital of the largest democracy of the world. Why have the culprits of this massacre not been punished so far?
These incidents are just a few examples. There are many more incidents that remind us that the Sikh leadership is following the lip service of the Indian leadership. The idea of a sovereign Sikh State [as promised during the partition] has been throw into the rift of slavery.
Respected Sir, my aim is to bring your attention toward the circumstances that prevail in India.
I hope my letter would remind you the promises made to the Sikh leadership 68 years ago.
Waheguru Jee Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Jee Ki Fateh!
I will wait to hear from you.
Prof. Baljinder Singh Morjand, Senior vice-president Rajasthan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Village Morjand Sikhan, Tehsil: Sangria District: Hanumangarh (Rajasthan)
