A Tribute To Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale

[khalsaforce]

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wjkf,

A Tribute to saint-soldier

Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale (1947-84)

On his birth day, February 12

Religion and politics are inseparable and synonymous in Sikhism. This

concept is a great contribution of Guru Hargobind Sahib to Sikhism. We are

considered anti-national. We wish to live in India, but are the Government

of India prepared to keep us in India? We want to live in India as

first-rate citizens, which, as at present, we are not. We would like to live

on par with other citizens, rather than slaves. As we made 90% sacrifices in

the freedom struggle of the country, we are not prepared to live like

slaves. Now it is for the Centre to state whether it wants to keep us as

slaves or as equal citizens. I am opposed neither to Khalistan nor in favour

of it. It is for the government to decide whether it wishes to keep us in

India or concede Khalistan. We will accept it; we will not repeat the 1947

blunder. My mission is to ensure that every one- Hindu, Sikh, Muslim remain

true to one's religion, and there is unity among all sections of people,

that the modesty of woman is not violated, that all social evils are

eradicated. For all this, I am dubbed as extremist. And, I do not mind being

known as extremist; rather I am proud to be such an extremist. This is what

Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale had said at different times during Dharam

Yudh Morcha (1982-84) and it has been reported in the SGPC White Paper, 1996

(Truth About Punjab). But on June 3, 1984, when the Golden Temple was under

the siege of the Indian Army, Sant Bhindrawale did say unequivocally 'now we

can not live in India: 'We need a separate home.' Earlier too, he had

expressed and repeatedly said that the day the Indian Army attacked the

Golden Temple and Akal Takht, foundation of Khalistan would be laid, A R

Darshi says so in his renowned book, Bhindrawale the Gallant Defender

(1999).

And now, to carry forward the mission of Sikh Guru- fully enshrined in Sri

Guru Granth Sahib, as envisaged from Akal Takht, the glorious history of the

Sikhs and its recent propagation by the Sant- we in International Human

Rights Organisation propose the formation of a united front (third front) to

all those opposed to the crafty politics of the so-called traditional

Akalis, now largely led by Badal. And all those groups and individuals who

distance themselves from the legacy of the Rajiv-Longowal Accord should

co-operate, co-ordinate and actively participate in the proposed Panthic

front.

And they should have commitment towards the two historic documents- Amritsar

Declaration and Anandpur Sahib Resolution, with an endeavour for fulfilling

the spirit behind these documents and the Sikh litany Raj Karega Ga Khalsa.

We in IHRO will appreciate if the interested groups or individuals could

pool their efforts to for doing Sarbat Da Bhala (Welfare of all) and, thus,

proving that Raj Karega Khalsa, Aaki Rahey Na Koi (when Khalsa rules, no one

remains in distress) and making this mission a success. So, the Guru Panth

has to project only the Khalsa polity.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib is a perpetual Guru (Guide) and a model for truthful

living: ''Falsehood will perish, O Nanak, and truth shall prevail,

ultimately.' They should start afresh and stick to a new revolutionary

ideology aimed at the spiritual rejuvenation, moral uplift and social

emancipation of people, confronting the dogmatism and religious hypocrisy of

the priestly classes and challenging the religio-political oppression of the

contemporary leaders.

t is a good beginning that Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president

Simranjit Singh Mann, Shiromani Khalsa Dal president Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu

and Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, on February 12, the

birthday of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale, at Fatehgarh Sahib, announced to

carry forward the message of Bhindranwale to meet the aspirations of the

people of Punjab with a firm faith in justice and peace. For this, they

should put into practice the idea of collective leadership (Panch Pradhani)

at the gross root level along with the concept of selection, propagated and

practised by the Gurus and, thereafter, to sift out meritorious servers from

amongst them.

And they should strive to guide public opinion by propagating rational and

constructive views on Sikh Polity and human rights, including the right to

self-determination by virtue of which nations and peoples regain their lost

countries, maintain their cultural identity, and establish basic human and

economic rights. They should also co-operate and co-ordinate all political

and other groups in Punjab who categorically distance themselves from the

legacy of Rajiv-Longowal Accord and make commitment to secure socio-economic

and political justice and the dignity of the individual. In addition, on

that basis, combat racism and eradicate untouchability, castes and

communalism.

Will they be able to do all that, is no one's assurance because all the

splinter Panthic groups have a problem of being threatened or highjacked

from each other. Smaller the group, graver is the problem. Ideologically,

politically or commitment-wise, there seems no difference or contradiction

among them to unite for the mission of the Guru. There may be some

organisational or day-to-day working problems that may be sorted out by

sitting together. Problem, which may crop up in the process of uniting, is

of leadership. For some time, collective leadership may the best choice.

But alas, petty vested interests with little uncanny personality cult seem a

big hindrance in forming the United Front to lead the Panth. We do not know

why they get together to celebrate birthday of great Sant Bhindranwale if

they cannot get on for his mission. May God bless them with politically wise

minds!

D S Gill

Chair IHRO

[SSM]