There has been extensive
coverage in both the Sikh media and mainstream Indian media about the recent
visit of Manjit Singh GK, President of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Prabhandak
Committee DSGPC. He was paraded from one TV channel to another, from one
gurdwara to another as, for some a hero and for others a villain. But what is
the truth? How should we take stock of his visit. Sadly, much of the coverage
has take one side or another and there has been few attempts to offer a
balanced analysis.
It is a fact that after some 30 years of open hostility
towards Akali Leaders from Panjab, his visit has opened up new lines of
dialogue between and amongst many different political persuasions within the
diaspora Sikh community. Some accuse Manjit Singh GK of being Parkah Singh
Badal's stooge and his every utterance must be rejected; for others he represents
a possible way forward for the Sikhs. As I
noted during the live show on Sikh Channel, whether you agree with Sardar
Manjit Singh GK or not, you have to give him credit for having the courage to
express his thoughts without fear or favour. Too often our leaders speak with
forked tongues and will say whatever they think might be popular.
In this programme Manjit Singh GK offered a very clear vision of
how to save Sikhs and Sikhi. By drawing parallels with the Jews, he emphasised
the importance of building a highly educated, globally orientated nation. He
also correctly identified that the crisis of Sikhi and Sikhs, particularly in
rural parts of Panjab is as much related to dramatic social changes to the
social, cultural and economic fabric associated with rapid urbanisation,
globalisation and new social media as it is to the failures of government. The
solution therefore is tom open our eyes to such momentous changes rather than
to simply blame the politicians or to constantly rely on conspiracy theories.
Today, through strengthening our existing institutions such as the DSGPC and
SGPC and by building new progressive institutions, the Sikhs can have a real
future. Failure to do so will certainly result in the ongoing demise of a once
proud people and nation. Today, we need to move away from Sikhs as sadhus -
which is the image being promoted by many of the so called 'dharmic'
jathebandhis, particularly those led by a baba's - but of humanitarians,
scholars, scientists, ecologists, entrepreneurs, intellectuals, journalists,
film makers, media personalities and peace activists.
When you are few in number then the only way to survive, as the
Jews have demonstrated for the past 2500 years, is to focus on quality and
brain power. Rather than retreat to the Gurdwaras and dears, to spend every
spare minute in ritualistic meditation sealed off from the rest of the world,
we now more than ever before need to recound the practical example set by Dhan
Guru Nanak Ji, who confronted the 'holy men' in the temples and deras and
sites of pilgrimage, the rich and the powerful. Who, from Sri Lanka in the
South to Bangladesh and Sikhim in the East, from Tibbet and China in the North
to Mecca, Bagdad and even Italy in the West, he embarked on his own
revolutionary struggle to unite humanity, to rid us of irrational superstitious
beliefs and to bring peace and co-operation to what was and remains a divided
world.
One of the most contentious issues that arose during his visit
is that of Khalistan or an independent Sikh state in Panjab and the genocide of
Sikhs which was often conflated with the issues of Khalistan. In one programme
broadcast on Sangat TV, in front of a live audeince Manjit Singh GK was
lambasted by Bhai Joga Singh, a long standing Khalistan activist. Bhai
Joha Singh's performance was commendable and he made a series of powerful
allegations about the apparent complicity or inactivity of the Badal Akali dal
to the plight of the 1000's of Sikh victims of state sponsored terrorism, of
double standards in appointing Sumedh Seni as the Chief of Police in Panjab and
of arresting and in some cases torturing anybody gursikh that has the courage
to raise such concurs. As noted earlier, whatever you feel about Manjit Singh
GK's own political views you have to give him credit for facing so much
hostility with an open commitment to dialogue. He also said that whatever our
political differences we should all come together as Sikhs when it came to
Panthic Issues. Whether is was Bhai Joga Singh's very specific and searching
questions or those from learned media persons, other political leaders or the
general public, Manjit Singh GK never blinked an eyelid in responding in the
fullest way possible. There can be no doubt that he delivered on his promise to
allow ALL points of view to be heard with respect.
Perhaps the most significant issue to emerge was Manjit Singh
total and unequivocal rejection of Khalistan. Manjit Singh GK's argument was
simply that he did not think Khalistan was a major panthic issue. At first
glance one might not be blamed for suggesting that here was prima facia
evidence of Manjit Singh's being a Indian Government agent and an enemy of the
Sikhs. How can he reject Khalistan as a panthic issue given that Sikhs in most
Western countries have for the past 30 years been campaigning for the creation
of such an independent homeland? Surely, one may think, after 30 years of
campaigning we all know what Khalistan represents? However, if you look at the
situation more closely at what is a rather empty rhetoric of the pro Khalistan
groups and also in the actual strength of support they command, a
different picture emerges. Let us assume that there are 50,000 devout
Khalistanis in the UK and a similar number in the US, Canada and the rest of
Europe. This gives us a total of 200,000 supporters of Khalistan. Now let us
start looking at the picture in India. In Delhi alone there are over 1 million
Sikhs and in India as a whole some 22 million. We all know that the demand for
Khalistan in India is minimal. We know that because election after election
Sardar Simranjeet Singh Maan on a Khalistan platform has done abysmally. I
accept that the low support is partly due to media blackouts, but in todays
world we have social media which has sparked off revolutions in some of the
poorest countries in the world, but apparently not in India; we must ask
why?
So the question isn't whether or not Khalistan is a good or bad
idea, but that very few people have any interest in the idea, and I suspect
this is what Manjit Sikh was really getting at. Manjit Singh's objections to
Khalistan as a separatist demand were very clear. What about millions of
Sikhs outside of Panjab? what about the immense sacrifice that Sikhs have and
continue to make for India? And most of all in a world that is rapidly
globalising and the vulnerability of minor currencies (See for example the Scottish
Nationalists backtracking from replacing the pound with a separate currency)
what chance can an independent Panjabi/Khalistan in such a turbulent economic
climate.
You see, whether you are a Manjit Singh GK supporter or not, you
must accept that he did present some reasonable arguments and he was open to
others, Khalistanis or not, to make their case in a democratic and reasoned
way. And it is to Bhai Joga Singh's credit that his contribution on the
programme was both passionate, evidence based and reasonable. Indeed, I think
it is one of the best ever expositions of the gross mistreatment of Sikhs in
India. But the prblem is that there is no logical connection with arguing for
justice and human rights and demanding Khalistan. They ares separate issues. The
issue of human rights knows no borders and even if Khalistan was ever created
would still exists. I think one will need to be pretty naive to thing that
Khalistan will be some heavenly place where everybody and especially Sikhs is
treated with respect. Perhaps we should contrast the dreams and aspiration that
Muhammed Ali Jinnah had for the new and Independent Islamic State of Pakistan
and the current pathetic disunited blood stained entity. What makes one so sure
that Khalistan will not end up like that? Whether one likes it or not Sikhs too
have their equivalent of Sunni and Shia. ALso, if one looks at the demographics
of Panjab, then unless Khalistan will be a fascist state, how can you argue for
a Sikh state where nearly 50% of the people are NOT Sikhs?
I know what some might be thinking, Khalistan will be a
democratic state. That would be a good thing, but what then is the difference
between Khalistan and the current Panjab and India; they to are notionally
democratic states. Perhaps the counter argument is that Khalistan will be a
truly democratic state. Well given the deficit of democratic principled amongst
our own 'Panthic Jathebandhis' and the terrible mess we see in the Gurdwara
elections, I am unsure we Sikhs really know what democracy is. How can one have
any confidence in Khalistan when even the main jathebandhis that support
Khalistan do not see eye to eye and in some cases have hatred for each other.
And so, faced with the prospect of a Khalistan that could end up as another
Pakistan, Palestine, Afghanistan or Iraq, then one can understand why most
Sikhs in India would be very sceptical of such an idea. As Manjit Singh
frequently reminded us, It is much easier for us in the West to make these
demands; after all we will not have to live 'Khalistan'!
So, in rejecting Khalistan, what was Manjit Singh actually in
favour of and again there has been much confusion about this, so here is my
atemtp to capture what I think were his main positive suggestions:
·
Let us recognise our
political differences, but let us also work together to defend Sikhs everywhere
in the world on common issues, such as the daystar, release of political
prisoners, justice for families of state sponsored terror etc.
·
Let us fight for
autonomy for Panjab and other states within a federal India along the lines of
the US, Russian Federation or the EU perhaps.
·
Let us fight those
that project the Sikhs as anti-nationalists, separatists and terrorists and let
us remind the rest of India and the world what brave sacrificed Sikhs have given
to fight such forces from the times of the Mughal onwards.
·
Let us exploit great
opportunity to make their demands of human and civil rights in India through
the very powerful DGPC which does give us access to 150 embassies in Delhi and
Indian Government departments.
·
Let us focus on
education for that is the ONLY way we can save Sikhi.
·
Let us provide support
for the millions of Vanjara and Sikhighar Sikhs spread throughout india.
They are our future.
·
Let us connect and
coordinate Sikh organisations across the globe so that we can use our
collective power.
·
Let us work with other
political parties where it suits our electoral aims - politics is about power
and there is very little you can do if you are not in power.
If one looks at these suggestion objectively, this strategy does
not prevent us from pursuing democratically the demand for Khalistan.
Let me now turn to the second and linked contentions issue and
that is related to where Baba Jarnail Singh Bhindrawala was an advocate of
Khalistan. When I asked Manjit Singh GK this question on Sikh Channel, without
hesitation he said that that Baba Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale never openly
demanded Khalistan and that he was politically manipulated by the Congress,
just as Sarna is trying to do today. The bias of his claim was that he and his
father Jathedar Santokh Singh were very close to Jarnail Singh. So, if it
is the case that Baba Jarnail Singh did not support Khalsitan, what about the
clear references to is in his speeches. Yes Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale did
say was that if Khalistan was offered he would not make the mistake that our
leaders made in 1947. But we all know Khalistan will not ever be offered to us!
The other statement of support for Khalistan that is attributed to Baba Jarnail
Singh ji is the a short time before the June 1984 attack when he said that
"if the army attacks the Harimandar then the foundation stone of Khalistan
would be laid". One can interpret this statement in many different ways,
but most crucially, one needs to take into account the context. The Sikhs were
demanding the Anandpur Resolution and the Government was dragging its heels.
The morchas were in full and there was talk of some kind of strategic assualt
on the Harimander. In this context, one might interpret his statement as a
political or even negating ploy, a simply a deterrent on the basis that he did
not thing the government would move. More controversially one could argue that
the other than a few bullets Harminader, remained in tact although the
Akal takht as we know was completely destroyed.
I think the debate about who was to blame for the tragedy of
June 1984 will continue for ever, but what we do know is that if we are to get
justice then this can only be possible if we work together despite our
differences and to develop a common agenda. Manjit Singh GK is no saint,
but is would be a historic mistake to not take up this opportunity to hold him
to his word and perhaps develop a more practical strategy to achieve justice
and yes, if you believe that this is the only solution a separate homeland. But
too much blood has ben shed. The time is now for peace, reconciliation and
justice. I think we should, as Gurmel Singh, Secretary General of the Sikh
Council UK suggested in one of the discourses, press for a peace and
reconciliation commission on the lines of the post Apartheid South Africa and
that all political prisoners be released forthwith. We should also get
undertakings from the Akali Dal that they will relentlessly pursue Sajan Kumar
and the other politicians that are clearly being shielded by the ruling
Congress Party. I certainly think the campaign by Sikhs for Justice to get some
kind of UN recognition of the 1984 Genocide of Sikhs will provide impetus in
this regard and we certainly should keep up this and other such action
orientated strategies like for example the excellent work of the Sikh
Organisation of Prisoners.
The world has changed dramatically since 1984. The scars are
still thee and will never go away, but our history is written in blood, but
that has not prevented us from distinguishing bad rules from good rules. It is
a fact that Guru Gobind Singh Ji depute his differences with Aurangzeb, did
welcome the attempts by Bhadur Shah for reconciliation. After the annexation of
the Panjab by the British, the Sikhs did loyally serve the British Empire and
following the partition and communal pogroms Sikhs have to some extend made
their peace with Muslims in East Panjab. At a time where the pPrime
Minister of India is a Sikh, the Army Chief of Staff is a Sikh, the Chief
Minister of Panjab is a Sikh it would be a grave mistake to not capitalise on
this. We may never get another opportunity and perhaps the only solution left
for Sikhs will be to scatter themselves across the globe and become permanent
refugees. Yes, the choice is not perfect, but I think Manjit Singh GK
visit has opened up new possibilities which we should seize with both hands.
Guru Fateh and Bhul Chuk
Maff
Dr Gurnam Singh
Coventry University
Email Gurnam.khela@gmail.com
