October 3rd: Never Give up

[SanmukhKaur]

Dr. Bhagat Singh Thind

Born October 3^rd, 1892 Dr. Thind is an inspiration to all Sikhs fighting legal systems around the world for basic rights. Dr. Thind moved to United States ironically on Independence Day in the year 1912, where he will realize that independence was not for everyone. The most memorable thing about Dr. Thind was his willpower. To be granted citizenship of America Dr. Thind tried, tried again and kept trying till he was rewarded American Citizenship.

While still an Indian citizen Dr. Thind enlisted to fight in the US army during the ‘war to end all wars’. Dr. Thind did not end up serving much time in the army as a peace treaty was signed within a few days of becoming sergeant but still the fact he joined will never be forgotten by Sikhs. Dr. Thind’s enlistment is special in the sense that today Sikhs are fighting for the right to keep their Sikh image and Dr. Thind served in the army without sacrificing his Sikh image. In this sense Dr. Thind will always be an inspiration that Sikhs can do anything without sacrificing their religious beliefs. Having survived the war Dr. Thind began the process to become an American citizen. Dr. Thind went through the process, was legally rewarded citizenship and had it revoked only 4 days later. This injustice and clear racism began the fight to earn what was legally Dr. Thinds right.

Dr. Thind reapplied for citizenship in the neighboring state, Oregon, and received ctizenship for the second time on November 18,1920. The Judge took everything into consideration at the time from Dr. Thind’s army record to Dr. Thinds desire for a free India. The INS officers decided to appeal the Judge’s decision and have citizenship revoked again. Dr. Thind did not back off, he just fought harder for his right to be an American Citizen. The case eventually made it to the supreme court in which the court ruled that Dr. Thind was not white enough to be granted American Citizenship. Thus, for the second time Dr. Thind’s citizenship was revoked. But it was not just Dr. Thind’s citizenship that was revoked; the INS used this ruling to revoke citizenship of 50 other Indians. Supreme Court ruling was not end of the story.

The supreme court ruling rubbed many American’s the wrong way because they could not understand how can a man that volunteered to serve in World War 1 and did everything by the book be denied. The American people wanted to show their gratitude for all people that served in US Army during the war and they did so by speaking out against this injustice. The outrage caused Congress to pass a measure that would allow all men that served in World War 1. Finally Dr. Thind was granted citizenship for the third and final time in 1936. Finally he would be granted equal rights as all other Americans and could fulfill his dream.

It was Dr. Thind’s dream of a better future/education that caused him to try, try again and again till he was granted citizenship. Dr. Thind’s dream was to study law but he couldn’t be a lawyer in the United States without being an American Citizen.  Eventually Dr. Thind earned his Phd and became a prolific writer. Dr. Thind earned everything, first he earned his citizenship and then his degree by studying hard and paying for college with a summer job.

Let October 3^rd be a day for all Sikhs to remember Dr. Thind and be proud of his accomplishments.