Thanks But No Thanks: Sikh Activists Question Air India’s Motives

AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—On the 550th Parkash Purab celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Air India has painted Sikh symbol ੴ (Ik Onkar) on the tail of some of its Boeing-787 Dreamliner jets. International, as well as domestic flights, will be using these aircraft.

While Ik Onkar painted in yellow colour over the red tail looks pretty awesome, Sikh activists have questioned Air India’s motives.

Bhajan Singh Bhinder, a Sikh activist from California denounced this move. While condemning India, he said, “We pride our selves, but Guru Arjun Dev Ji did not sit on a hot burning plate so that an Ik Onkar can be painted on the tail of a fascist government’s flying machinery.”

“We must not lose ourselves in this propaganda as the Hindutva on the other hand as warned by our Akal Takht wants to assimilate Sikhi. Sikhs should not get carried away by such petty ego distractions, and we must continue to fight both Delhi and its Prithi Chands both in Hindustan and abroad, especially in the USA where their presence is growing,” he added.

Bhinder added that Sikhs should be smart and collectively say “thanks, but no thanks”. “We rather you give us full accountability of all our historical khazana (treasures) you stole from our father’s house in June 1984.”

Manpreet Singh, a Sikh activist based out of London said, “The symbol of Ik Onkar on Air India flight is no more than a hollow political stunt by the Indian government. Exactly 35 years ago the Indian Government committed genocide of the Sikhs of Guru Nanak.”

“India cannot conceal its fascist agendas against minorities under the cover of these uninvited promotions. Indian state policy needs to understand the philosophy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji which is based on equality and respect for human rights,” he added. “Sikhs should not be disillusioned by these types of hypocritical stunts. Any such gesture from the Indian government should not be welcomed by Sikhs when Sikhs are still being hounded by the Indian System.”

Ik Onkar is the central principle of Sikh Philosophy, and also the first word that appears in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the symbol means that there is One God.

The first plane with Ik Onkar symbol is going to depart on October 31 at 3:00 am for the Stansted city of England.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has hailed the move. Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri might be the mastermind behind this move.

This flight to be enrooted through Mumbai- Amritsar-Stansted connection and will depart a week thrice, i.e. on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

A domestic flight has been already started from Amritsar to Patna Sahib (Bihar) on October 27 on the eve of Diwali.  

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