As the Badal clan try to find a way out of the utter mess that they have created in the Panth and Punjab more generally, it is becoming crystal clear that the absolute contempt for human rights being displayed by the Punjab state with the blessing of the Extremist RSS/BJP central government. The pardoning of Gurmeet Ram Rahim was clearly designed to shore up the Akalli/BJP vote in the forthcoming state elections in 2017. This was against the backdrop of massive gains made by the secular AAP in Punjab and Delhi.However, as we enter a phase of the struggle that will no doubt be subject to all kinds of fifth column tactics by the BJP/Bagal alliance, to divide and rule and to discredit the protests, now is a time to move beyond identity politics and to build a social movement of all the oppressed people of Punjab and Indian against the ruling corrupt elites. They have no religion and no conscience and the only solution is to remove them and reform the system so that it serves the interests of people not the corporates, celebrity god men, mafia gangsters and corrupt politicians.
One of the consequences of the current crisis in Punjab is that demands for Khalistan are once again being heard in the streets and villages of Punjab. There seems to be a reawakening amongst the youth about the terrible oppression that is being committed by the Punjab/Indian state.
Whilst nobody can disagree with the aspirations of the Sikhs for freedom and autonomy, advocates of the imaginary country of Khalistan will need to make it clear what place there will be for non-Sikhs in such a Utopia. I say this in the context that, as the tv footage has clearly proven, poor Muslims, peasant farmers, Dalits, poor Hindus and poor Christians are all standing together. On the other side are fake Baba’s/Godmen (and I don’t just mean Sauda Sadh but many others who claim to be Panthik when it suits them). If are seeking to create a free, socialist democratic state (as envisaged in the Anandpur Matta) then I am all for Khalistan.
However, advocates who want to create a theocratic state, and given that Sikhs are pretty divided on matters of theology, this is likely be a recipe for a blood bath on the lines of Syria (and dare I say Pakistan). Moreover, in some senses, arguing for a theocratic state simply falls into the hands of the Hindutva as that mirrors precisely their argument. The Hindutva (I would say wrongly) is arguing that the Moguls and the the British colonisers damaged and distorted the Indian culture and heritage, which was based on the ancient texts (Mahabharata, Vedas etc) and that there is a need to reconstruct Indian nationalism along the lines of Hindutva.
And so I would encourage advocates of Khalistan to engage the youth of Punjab not just in protest marches, but in political education. Their minds are now hungry for an alternative to both the corrupt Indian state and the fascist Hindutva ideology. For them to become true revolutionaries, they need to learn about the egalitarian, humanitarian and environmental ideology of the Guru Granth Sahib and then not only Punjab but the whole of India will demand Khalistan, a nation made in the image of Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
RS Ji You have said it nicely Hope our leaders who are really interested in peaceful and prosperous Punjab read
this article and reflect on it. Problem with all democratic coountries is the politicians are concerned with filling their pockets. Problems can be lightened if SIkhs Hinndus as well as Muslims practice their religeons perfectly
as taught by their respective holy books. I pray not only for peace in Punjab but peace all over the world. God bless
Dear Editor:
I am totally in agreement with you of a hypothetical state called Khalistan if the opportunity arises at some point in the future.
However, a secular democratic state Khalistan is certainly doomed to failure. Please check out Plato’s “The Republic”, the most important philosophical prose on politics ever written. This is the first book any serious aspiring, moral and ethical politician (one with 100% societal interest, 0% self-interest) should read.
Here is a link to a summary (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR ALL SIKHS): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato%27s_five_regimes
Secular democracies all eventually go bankrupt. Look at what’s happening to USA, UK, Europe, etc. Their Debt/GDP ratios are out of control due to successive liberal governments and financial handouts to various special interest groups to gain votes. Their family units are destabilizing and they are basically Godless, Marxist countries where politicians are really just puppets of International Banking, Zionism, etc.
Same will happen to India too, as Modi is obsessed with “development” and there is a total lack of ethics in India. Kejriwal/AAP is basically an extreme socialist party that will help accelerate the bankruptcy of the state by giving out “freebies” (this actually is in favour of financial collapse of Indian state and eventual formation of Khalistan). Nothing is “free” in life, as there are only a finite amount of resources on the planet. What some people consider “free” is something that someone else has payed for in some way but they don’t know or care how.
The general public basically votes on short-term self interest, not on a long-term vision. Democracy is basically “short-termism”. That’s why politicians, on a five year term, for example, do nothing until the last year when they start giving out free garbage to the general public to satisfy their need to consume and put it at the expense of the state. This debt eventually grows and grows out of control, until the state declares bankruptcy.
What would stop another “secular Sikh” like Badal, who will promise everything to everyone and fool peasants constantly, from running again? We’ll basically end up having two parties ruled by scheming politicians who place self-interest at 100% above societal interest at 0%. We’ll end up with a Sikh party (like SAD, basically secularists in beards and turbans) and a Hindu party (like BJP). That’s exactly the situation we have today. Democracy is basically a game of “who’s the better liar”.
“However, advocates who want to create a theocratic state, and given that Sikhs are pretty divided on matters of theology, this is likely be a recipe for a blood bath on the lines of Syria (and dare I say Pakistan).”
This I completely disagree with. How exactly, are Sikhs “pretty divided” on matters of theology? Nothing could be further from the truth. Sikhs are actually extremely united on matters of theology, that’s why the Panth is united right now. Youtube channels such as Basics of Sikhi are doing an outstanding job of educating new, young Sikhs (and even non-Sikhs interested in Sikhism) with Sikhism.
Sure, normal Sikhs may practice Sikhism at different levels, but the difference between DDT, AKJ, Nihangs, and SGPC Sikhism, (the different “sects” of Sikhism) is at most 5% (although that 5% is very important to each respective group). However, that 5% difference isn’t enough of a difference for them to start killing each other mindlessly like how various Islamic factions are at war with each other. Recent history (from 1984) actually shows that they collaborate with each other.
The comparison to Syria is unwarranted as that uprising was crafted by external US/UK/Zionist/International Banking interests to create instability in the Middle East (along with the whole so-called “Arab Springs”) and you are comparing a totally different religion Islam, which is extremely intolerant to begin with. The uprising right now in Punjab is organic and not due to external agencies.
The only really practical, long-term option is a theocratic-democratic hybrid, similar to Plato’s Kallipolis (rule by Philosopher Kings). This will protect Sikhism, which already guarantees religious freedom to all non-Sikhs and let people choose their leaders. Also, freedom of speach, freedom of Internet and freedom of press and right to bear arms (which is already guaranteed by Sikhism) must be enshrined in the constitution.
I’d much rather prefer a small, theocratic state led by Panj Pyare (like Sant Bhindranwale) selected by Sarbat Khalsa as opposed to a large, secular democracy. There should be Panj Pyare for head of state and Panj Pyare for head of religion. SGPC must be abolished.
The personal mortality, adherence to Sikh doctine (“Jeevan”), ethics and philosophy would need to be of upmost importance. Leadership, philosophy, military experience, business experience, etc. would all be secondary.
“The Hindutva (I would say wrongly) is arguing that the Moguls and the the British colonisers damaged and distorted the Indian culture and heritage, which was based on the ancient texts (Mahabharata, Vedas etc) and that there is a need to reconstruct Indian nationalism along the lines of Hindutva.”
British certainly did damage and distort Sikh and Hindu practices, and the Hindus after coming into power certainly damaged Sikh practices more via RSS, so we do need a “reboot”.
The Sikhism most follow today not even 10% similar to what it was like in Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s time. In fact, if Guru Gobind Singh Ji were to come to Punjab today, would hardly recognize Sikhism. Raag Kirtan, Shastar Vidya, etc. are basically extinct except within few Jathas (such as DDT, AKJ, Nihangs, etc.) True Sikhs, as defined per Guru Gobind Singh Ji, are mavericks and extraordinarily rare. I certainly wouldn’t even qualify; I need to learn horsemanship and some target practicing and solidify my personal Rehat and a few other things, which will take me at least 5-10 years.
People should be free to select local and state leaders via popular democracy, so Sikh areas will have Sikh representatives and Hindu areas with Hindu representatives, Muslims areas with Muslim representatives, etc. However, head of state must be ruled by Panj Pyare to keep all those below in check from.
I can write some more ideas if readers are interested.
Sir, I agree with you! The movement my start in Punjab and later in the whole of India. But how to teach people the right way? As Amarpreet Kaur said: Punjabi want peace. But I also think that without fighting for peace there will be no peace. First you will have to clean the house, before you can put in something new, something better. My God bless the Punjabis and give them the strength! Waheguru!
we want peace