A New Challenge to Sikh Identity
Dr. Jaspal Singh*
* Original in Punjabi: "Sikhan di Vakhari Hoand Leyee Ikk Hore Chunauti" by Dr. Jaspal Singh. Translated by Mrs. Bimal Kaur of Eastern Connexions (Garments Div.) Mumbai. Email ec@vsnl.com
In the past many situations have arisen when the very basis of Sikh identity and presence has been under attack. The Rulers of the Mughal kingdom issued edicts for the complete annihilation of the community; prices were fixed for the heads of Sikhs, which were cut off and then stuck on the tips of spears and paraded through the streets, to convince the common people that not even one Sikh had been left alive.
This passed into the pages of history. But there is another trend, which is many times more dangerous and threatening than the killing sprees.
This is the move to absorb the distinct religious identity of the Sikhs into the folds of Hinduism – the majority religion of India – in a cleverly subtle way.
History has revealed a bitter truth that though the Sikhs have successfully withstood physical armed attacks made on them and retaliated in kind, when the attacks have been of an intellectual type, they have not been able to protect themselves as well. The reason, generally given is that Sikhs are basically very simple folk and their leaders are too straight-forward to understand the convoluted and cunning thinking of the opposing forces.
Rationalising this failure is not the answer. There is no other way but to consolidate and activate the Sikh intellectuals. The challenge of the sword can be met with the sword or martyrdom, but the challenge to Sikh thought can only be met on the intellectual battle-field.The deceitful motives of our opponents will have to be revealed by removing each layer of their treacherous plans.
In the present times, the Panth has been under extreme duress since 1984. Besides attacks on its life and property, tireless efforts have been made to blacken its rich traditions and history. A body of fundamentalists with tremendous power has taken undue advantage of the prevalent conditions and decided to finish the Sikh identity once and for all. The name of this coterie is RSS and it has a one-point agenda of ‘Hinduisation’ of the whole of India. To this end, it has announced a new organization called ‘Rashtriya Sikh Sangat’ and has started work to establish branches in foreign countries. In this way they can succeed in their nefarious plans without arousing any criticism of excesses by the Hindu majority, or violation of human rights.
Since it is obvious that Sikh organizations have neither the ability nor the time to counteract this attack ,I feel it is my duty to warn those devoted and learned Sikhs who advocate and take pride in the separate identity of the Sikhs. I truly believe that if timely action is not taken, a large part of the Sikh Panth, under the guise of ‘Rashtriya Sikh Sangat’ will be swallowed up by the RSS .
It is of utmost importance to thoroughly study the basis and aims of The Rashtriya Sikh Sangat. The first get-together of this organization was held in Delhi in 1986 and in the same year in November at Amritsar its formal inauguration was announced at a heavily-attended function.
Two points need to be stressed:
1. The choice of the name. The initials of both , Rashtriya Sikh Sangat and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh are the same – RSS !
Thus care has been taken to eliminate all possibilities of this group ever escaping from the clutches of the Hindu fundamentalists.
2. The timing for announcing the formation of this organization: After independence, the years following 1984 proved to be the most traumatic for the Sikhs.The tragic episode of ‘Operation Bluestar’, followed by the massacre of Sikhs filled the community with a sense of insecurity and unrest. This atmosphere of helplessness, fear and insecurity was taken advantage of by the Hindu fundamentalists and they schemed to take steps for absorbing the Sikh identity into the Hindu fold.
What is Rashtriya Sikh Sangat? What are its aims and activities? On what philosophy is this group based and what is its agenda ?
The replies to these queries are to be found in the Newsletter ‘Sangat Sandesh’ released on 06 August,1988 at Nanded.
It starts with the announcement:
"Rashtriya Sikh Sangat believes in and respects the unity and one-ness of society and the nation."
(From this it is clear that it does not recognize the multi-cultural and muti-religious character of India).
The following definitions of the Sikh Panth and religion are worth noting:
1. Sikhs and the Hindu society are an indivisible and unified entity.
2. Sikhs are a part of the Hindu society.
3. To view Kesadhari and Sehajdhari as separate entities is to show an ignorance of history.
4. Sikhs are a sect of the Hindu religion. Such sects, based on some differences are found in many religious groups.
5. The Sikh Panth is like a beautiful and perfumed bouquet of rare flowers belonging to the vast garden called the Hindu dharma.
6. Khalsa Panth is a nectar-filled fruit growing on the tree of Hindu dharma.
7. Sikh religion and the Khalsa Panth were created to protect the nation and the Hindu dharma.
It is also worth studying the interpretations given to Guru Saheban’s personalities and sacrifices:
1. The life of Guru Nanak is an amalgamation of all the good points of the Hindu way of life, such as, idealism, karma,bhakti and knowledge.
2. The tradition of spirituality, devotion and courage typifying the lives of the Guru Saheban is a matter of great pride for the vast Hindu society.
3. Guru Teg Bahadur sacrificed his life in order to save the Hindu religion and society.
4. For the protection of the Hindu dharma, Guru Gobind Singh’s two sons died fighting and the younger two volunteered to be buried alive.
Regarding Gurbani and Gurmat the views of the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat can be clearly seen from the points below :—
1. To accept Gurbani as separate from the Vedic and Puranic tradition is to show ignorance and lack of understanding.
2. Gurbani is like the Ganga with its source ( Gangotri) in the Vedas.
3. The Guru Saheban were inspired by the Vedas to follow a path of selfless-ness.
4. ‘Japji’ is a shortened version of the ‘Gita’.
The Hindu fundamentalists believe that since the sole aim of creating the Khalsa Panth was to protect Hindu society, there is no need for it to have a separate identity, and they are not ready to accept it.
Thus the shrewd and cunning scheme becomes all-clear. The efforts are to downplay the role of the Guru Saheban, by colouring all their actions and sacrifices in the saffron colour.
The facts of the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadurji have been made to neatly fit into their theory.
Guru Granth Saheb ji is accepted as the living Guru by the Sikhs. To assert that Gurbani is inspired by the Vedas is sheer mischief. The aim is to stress the role of Vedas long enough for it to percolate into the Sikh psyche and lessen the influence of their religious teachers and ideology.
I would like to stress yet again that Sikhism is a self-realised religion, completely independent, believing in the one Almighty. The followers of this religion have a distinct, separate identity, which has been achieved after tremendous sufferings and sacrifices.
To preserve this, the Sikhs must again prepare themselves to fight for their rights – to maintain their distinct religious identity and to establish a distinct presence in the political panorama of their country.
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