Harsh Gupta | From editor’s desk | It took me a while to decide to write on the topic. My reluctance was due to the sensitivity of the issue but I somehow came to the conclusion that sensitive issues should be tackled rather bluntly.
I would begin by emphasizing on the utter misunderstanding and lack of communication between both the parties that are Sikhs and Modi.
Here I would add that I’m a totally apolitical person with no what so ever inclination for BJP, RSS or any right wing outfit for that matter.
A preconceived notion has been created against Modi or BJP in Punjab (with his larger than life image Modi has become synonymous with BJP as a whole).
A narrative has been evolved certainly by a fringe element that portrays Modi as a DEMON for Sikhs.
Now this narrative is dangerously segregating Punjab from the rest of the country. My contentions are easily supported by the election results in Punjab whether they are of Assembly or of Lok Sabha.
This demonization of Modi, I emphatically put, has no base at all.
Some facts need to be putforth as they have a lot of relevance here.
Let’s begin with farm-laws. With 10% of the total share of agricultural produce, how come only Punjab protested against the laws (let’s not dwell into the merits or demerits of the laws) and why did the protests coincided with referendum 20/20 (Khalistani Movement) is a million dollar question.
Well, all said and done, the laws were repealed by the PM himself, a man who the world knows, is the hardest nut to crack.
Such decisions sometimes open the flood gates for other elements who, in the garb of protests try to destabilize the nation.
But still the decision was taken by the man who once refused to wear a skull-cap but very fondly graces ‘Dastaar’ at any given chance.
My Sikh brethren must realise that this person who relented so gracefully on the matter is the same person who holds Israel and Palestine calibratedly equal. YOU NEED A SPINE FOR THAT.
He travelled from Jordan to Palestine, six aircrafts of Israel were escorting him. One needs to be a world class leader for that.
What I want to imply is that his relentness in repealing the farm-laws may not be taken as his cowardice.
I express my displeasure to this thankless nation which took more than 70 years of independence to honour the unprecedented supreme sacrifices of Sahibzadas.
It was eventually done officially in 2019 and 26th December was declared as VEER BAL DIWAS. The man did it, damn it !
There is a sudden surge in anger within me while writing this new one. I mean we have Sheesh Ganj Gurudwara in Delhi and at a distance of 4 Kms we had Aurangzeb road in the name of the tyrant, the butcher, Aurangzeb. What more disgraceful for the community it could have been ?
Friends, it’s no more there. Name was changed in 2015, now it’s APJ Kalam Road in the name of one of the greatest Indians ever.
One more small gesture of PM Modi may soothe some “disgruntled” people. From times immemorial, Sikh delegations have been meeting the PMs of the nation for honouring, discussing issues etc.
This is the first Prime Minister who gave standing instructions to his security to allow the members of delegations to carry along the Kirpans into his office because he felt that this would be disrespectful if they are disrobed off them while meeting him.
Afganistan’s Sikh refugees who are living in India for last more than 20 years were given Indian citizenship in Modi’s regime.
Kartar Sahib corridor could not be opened for the last 70 years. There was reluctance from our side for obvious security reasons as earlier our innocent children from Punjab were misguided and used by Pakistan. So the stakes were high but still the man with spine took decision thus making it easier for Sikhs to visit there most revered Shrine.
All the above developments happened in Modi’s dispensation. Some eyebrows would certainly be raised but I must say that his immediate predecessor, Prime Minister was a Sikh, Dr. Manmohan Singh who remained PM for 10 consecutive years. May I know what has been his contribution regarding the above mentioned issues during his tenure ?
I can go on and on but I don’t want to sound inclined towards someone specific. All the above discussed issues are facts which can be verified in this era of IT.
Now let’s see things from average Sikh’s perspective. I would not mince my words, an average Sikh is a hard-core nationalist who doesn’t need any certificate from this neo-saffron brigade or those who create rhetoric of Hindu Nationalism.
An average Sikh has somehow become a victim of some political speculations which eventually precipitated into fake narratives. One such narrative is of Hindu Rashtra !
Extremists in Sikhs which may be very less in number but are very resourceful whether in India or abroad. They create this fear of Hindu Rashtra for their obvious vested interests and equally responsible are right wing Hindu Organisations who shout at the top of their voices in favour of this hoax narrative.
This has obviously alienated Sikhs and when you are a minority, the apprehensions would certainly crop up.
There I feel that the highest office, yes I mean PM should deal with such fear mongers with iron hand which I’m afraid, he has not done heartily. That’s sad !
Stern warnings must be given by him to dilute such fringe elements having right wing mindset.
At the same time our Sikh brethren should understand that they are too strong a community who can be made to feel left out or anybody can dilute their identity.
The crux is that this powerful, vibrant and nationalist community should be in the national mainstream as soon as possible because this great nation and the great Sikh community are indispensable for each other.
