Op/Ed: If You Want to Survive, You Have to Fight

Numerous Sikh men and women and their children have made sacrifices during the struggle fought for the independent Sikh homeland named ‘Khalistan.’ Of them, the first category relates to those who picked the arms for the safeguard of national rights and competing with atrocities committed by India rulers. With the feeling of “Ham Ujre Panth Vase” (may we ruin for the survival of Sikh Panth), these people achieved martyrdom while fighting in the battle field.

The second category contains those who were sympathizers of fighters and were disappeared forcibly after being detained illegally by the police. These disappeared Sikhs were killed in fake encounters at lonely places or in interrogation centers while being victims of brutality. The complete reality of these brutal acts is yet to come to the fore. Whoever made efforts to know the reality, he was disappeared by Police of Punjab mercilessly. Here I don’t need to mention the name of Jaswant Singh Khalra as the entire nation know well about him.

One more category is there which is comprising those parents, brothers-sisters and children whose sons, brothers or fathers were disappeared in that period. Some mothers left the world while waiting for their sons. Maybe their souls would knock the door of their homes even today as their sons would come back to home. There would be some sisters who left their parental home while waiting for their dear brothers and they would feel relaxed by telling the stories of ‘Mamas’ to their children. Brothers would wish the company of their ‘warrior brothers’ whenever they go alone in unfavourable circumstances. Some children have little memory of their father, and some are told by their mothers about this father by showing their photos. On the day of joy, they would feel displeasure for not enjoying the company of their fathers. Some of them would grow below roofs of others homes and some would take poor diet. Whenever they would face the hard reality of the life, they would think that if their father was alive, they would not have faced such circumstances.

The offence of these people is only that they are parents, brothers, sisters and children of pro-freedom men. No doubt, the institutions and leaders who were responsible for reducing the pain of the victims have not fulfilled their responsibilities, leaving all disappointed.

On the international day of human rights, it is our duty to raise the voice for the victim families. The pain and tears of victim families should be enabled for jolting the conscience of the international community. We don’t hope upon the Indian rulers and “our Akalis” that they would hear the voice of the tears. They have already followed the path of throwing salt on the wounds of the victims. They like the police officers who are well known as killers of Punjab youth. These notorious officers enjoy top posts in the Party as well as in government. Majority community of India which believes in Hindutva ideology and rules over the country directly, recognized our killers as ‘heroes.’ Hoping upon the Punjab based allies of Indian rulers is nothing but to go against the conscience.

We have only one way to be followed that is to struggle. To struggle for our rights, justice and national freedom is the sole way. Following the path of struggle, we could reveal the brutal face of Indian rulers, jolt the international community and achieve our rights.

Self-respect and dignity prevail only in non-acceptance of slavery. War is important, you could opt any weapon for this as per your choice.

Weapon could be a pen, voice or sword as per the need of the hour. One thing is clear that ‘if you want to survive, you have to fight.’

Gajinder Singh

(This message was sent by Sikh freedom fighter and former Dal Khalsa chief Bhai Gajinder Singh and read in the rally held by Dal Khalsa on world human rights day at Amritsar Sahib.)