Roundtable
Enough is Enough:
A Call To Arms
The Roundtable Open Forum # 62
by JAIKAR SINGH
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The following piece was sent to a number of Sikh media outlets in India, but all were understandably reluctant to be the first to start this discussion. I am indebted to sikhchic.com for publishing it and making it part of its Roundtable Open Forum this week.
There is no copyright being retained in this piece ... I encourage each one of you to circulate it as widely as possible, especially in India, in order to generate a healthy discussion and line of action. Thank you.
Enough is Enough.
We've waited 27 years for justice for the victims of the mass-murders of 1984. None has been forthcoming, because the main perpetrators of the crimes were the very same people who were in power - Rajiv Gandhi, the then Prime Minister, his closest colleagues, the police, etc., and the mobs they let loose on the Sikh populace.
The government today consists of the same motley crowd.
Simply waiting for justice will simply not make it happen.
This has been highlighted by the recent conviction of a numbers of Muslims accused of killing a bunch of Hindus: the government had no difficulty in moving the wheels of justice efficiently in that case.
It proves that even in India, if there is a will, there's way.
Recent revelations of other mass-murders of Sikhs, hitherto hidden by the police themselves and the government, in other parts of the country in 1984, have - once again - elicited no reasonable response. Weeks later after the secret mass -graves were made public, the crooked politicians are still quibbling over if, how and when to start an investigation.
27 years after the pogroms?
An investigation by the same people who have hidden the crimes through these years?
Action by the same people who have done everything to date to thwart justice over the New Delhi pogroms?
Enough is Enough.
It is time for us to stand up in India as a collective and say to those around us: we will tolerate the injustices no more. And we will no longer wait for them to guarantee our safety in the future ... we will make it happen.
This is a Call to Arms in accordance with Guru Gobind Singh's unequivocal guidance, as given in his Zafarnama:
"When all peaceful means have been tried ... and have failed, it is right then to put your hand on the sword!"
This Call is addressed to Sikhs living in India and India alone, because that is where the problem lies.
Before I go further, I cannot emphasize enough that, first and foremost, we should abide by the laws of this land and work within societal norms. Oppression by others does not justify us to abandon any of our high values.
But there is a social contract, and the majority in this country and the government it empowers have not met their obligations that flow from that contract.
True, no government can guarantee that no crimes will be committed. But it must guarantee that it will act once a crime is detected, investigate it and, if possible, identify the criminals and bring them to justice.
The recent example from the United States underlines a nation's duty:
Last week, two Sikh-Americans were gunned down in Sacramento, California. The incident was widely reported, instead of being swept under the carpet. The FBI has stepped in promptly to pursue the criminals.
Sikh-Americans also remember that when a Sikh-American was shot dead in Arizona during the post-9/11 days, the culprit was quickly apprehended. He is now serving time.
It gives confidence to all Americans that their government is there to protect its citizens, not to willy-nilly murder them at the whim of one or more politicians.
Sadly, this has not been the case in India.
We are Sikhs ... not Hindus.
We do not sit back and accept injustice as our destiny.
And we know that we Sikhs in India are surrounded by a sea of cowards, because who else would resort to such violence (as we saw in 1984, against their own neighbours), hiding behind the anonymity of a crowd, egged on by the bravado that only a sense of guaranteed immunity lends.
But we also saw that when Sikhs fought back, the mobs fled! True, the police were then brought in to remove the arms that the Sikhs had, and then the mobs came back.
But we know from those incidents that we are dealing with a nation of cowards, and that knowledge requires us to prepare ourselves in a certain way.
Recent revelations about the 1984 Haryana massacres also tell us how, finally, when a Sikh went out in desperation to confront the mob and killed one of the attackers ... the mob promptly fled, never to return.
We do not need to indict the entire Hindu community because we know it would be wrong and it would be incorrect.
But we need to nevertheless acknowledge that exceptions only prove the rule.
We need to orient ourselves to the one most important fact of life in India: that we are surrounded by cowards, we need to understand the way cowards behave, and we need to prepare ourselves against their patterns of behaviour.
Hence, in order to start a discussion - and a line of action - I propose the following:
That, within the laws of the land, and subject to the resources available to us, Sikhs in India should be seeking licenses to own firearms. Mere training in gatka will no longer suffice.
Wherever possible, each Sikh household should have each member trained in the use of firearms.
Wherever possible, each Sikh household should acquire at least one firearm for each member by obtaining a proper license from the local authorities.
Every citizen of the world has the fundamental right to security of life, which gives him/her the right to defend himself/herself against any threat to life and limb. India is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Rights & Freedoms, and therefore legally cannot deny any Indian citizen the right to own a firearm, given the fact that it is demonstrable that India will not protect its Sikh minority.
If it is perceived that there is undue resistance from the authorities, then the matter should be challenged in the courts until it is dealt with unequivocally.
Which means we should develop an extensive team of Sikh lawyers in this country, available to every Sikh community across this land.
We need to develop training facilities for Sikhs to train to defend themselves.
The bottom line is: we need to get into action mode.
The time to wait for the other side to act reasonably is over.
Now, it is time to make them act reasonably.
No matter what it takes!
Enough is Enough.
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
I request Sikhs around the world to help circulate this discussion paper to every nook and corner in India. Further and detailed papers spelling out specifics will follow.
In the meantime, I would appreciate your comments on this issue.
[The author is a community activist based in New Delhi, India. He is a survivor of the 1984 Holocaust.]
March 9, 2011
Conversation about this article
1: Kamal (Delhi, India), March 09, 2011, 1:52 PM.
Do something about the victims. Give them education facilities, money to live a better life for all those widows and children who lost their breadwinners in '84, rather than picking arms. Giving a helping hand for those victims rather than a gun would prove much more beneficial for their future.
2: Jagdish Singh (Bayside, WA, U.S.A.), March 09, 2011, 2:03 PM.
In many ways I am proud and honored to see that there are still passionate Sikhs in this world that do hold their religion, their beliefs and, most importantly, justice above all else ... as our Gurus taught us through blood and tears. But I also see the flip side of this scenario, and that side can and will be very dangerous to not only our people but those hot heads around us. We must not take arms as the solution to this situation. It will only worsen the problem. No ... as much as I would be gung-ho for it, I feel that in the end it will only lead to more bloodshed. Because let's be honest as well, the younger Sikh generation is hot headed and easily provoked. Our enemies will only love to capitalize on this attribute against us, inciting more problems and tragedies than what has already occurred. What we do need is to use the legal system. USE IT better than the other minorities in India. Use it in our defence. Learn it to the point where we excel in it. Only by keeping the law in our pocket can we truly solve this issue and problem. Please take a deep breath and think about what you are asking ... take a deep breath and look into the future of this decision. Nothing has ever been solved with a gun. Nothing ever will.
3: Jaspreet Singh (U.S.A.), March 09, 2011, 3:17 PM.
Dear Jagdish Singh ji, please don't label the younger generation as hot-headed. I rarely see my generation fighting in gurdwaras but elders in the community have been regular culprits. You need to give more thought to what you say ...
4: Saime (Milton Keynes, United Kingdom), March 09, 2011, 4:54 PM.
It is not good enough to take up arms only. They are useful as part of a well balanced governance strategy. What we need is the community becoming politically astute and intelligent. Greater involvement in politics at local and federal levels in all countries is absolutely necessary. Education, education, education is the key - Gurdwaras need to build programs (not marble buildings) to help Sikh youth to get into the best universities in their respective countries. Employ educated granthies. Sikhs should excel in businesses in greater number, start business associations to help each other. Learn from the Jewish community. They run huge businesses and have power over major banks. They influence control on major decision-making through powerful parliamentary lobbies. I was surprised to learn that in 2010 they owned 32 faith schools in the U.K. compared to 11 Muslim and 4 Sikh schools, although their population is only 0.5 % compared to 2.8% Muslim and 0.6% Sikh. Khalsa ji, become independent thinkers like Guru Gobind Singh wanted us to be, then the arms will only be a last resort for defence only.
5: Sangat Singh (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), March 09, 2011, 5:17 PM.
"Aap savaareh mai mileh mai mili-aa such ho-ay Fareeda jay too mayraa ho-ay rahe sab jag tayraa ho-ay" [GGS:1382.17] - 'If you reform yourself, you shall meet me, and meeting me, you shall be at peace. O Farid, if you will be mine, the whole world will be yours.'
6: Brijinder Singh (New York, U.S.A.), March 09, 2011, 8:21 PM.
I applaud Jaikar Singh ji for having the guts to take some initiative, which is something that is lacking from the rest of us. People often use the Jews as an example of how Sikhs should be. They forget that Jews have their own country. The Mossad (Israel Intelligence Service) has tracked down every Nazi and has had them convicted or killed. Moreover, Jews have integrated well into powerful western countries, and have strong political and corporate connections. We cannot become like them overnight. We cannot use an Indian legal system that is not designed for minorities. Their legal system is designed to ensure that nobody can challenge corrupt politicians. It is not meant to protect the average man. It is not a matter of giving money to the victims and their families, it is a matter of JUSTICE. We want justice for our brothers and sisters who lost their livelihood, their dignity, and their lives. We want justice for the souls whose remains were found in Haryana, and for the countless others who are waiting for someone to discover their bones, so that their stories can also be told. The author is not saying that we should go out and shoot people at random, he is saying that we should start learning to protect ourselves because the Indian government doesn't care about us. Look how quickly justice is given when the victims are Hindus. Why is there such a big double-standard? In America, Canada, and U.K., there are Sikh youth camps. They teach children about gurbani, Sikh history, and also self-defense. I would love to see Sikhs in India organizing similar camps to teach teens and adults all of the above, including how to handle a fire-arm. If every Sikh household had a firearm in 1984, I guarantee you that many lives could have been saved. Let's learn from the past so that it doesn't happen again. Let's not forget our goals. Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar and Kamal Nath need to be behind bars. The government needs to give compensation to all victims. This should be done through protests in major cities like New Delhi. Protesters need to boycott business establishments, block traffic, congregate in front of these politicians' homes and harass them day and night. If the police intervene, then capture it on video and post it on the internet. Sikhs in the diaspora will make sure that those videos will make it to every major western news outlet. I have forwarded this article to everyone I know. If you are tired of seeing your people being victims, then you should do the same. When a Sikh like Jaikar Singh takes a stand, let's give him confidence that his community supports him. We should not be scared and tell him to sit down and remain quiet.
7: Kartar Singh Bhalla (New Delhi, India), March 10, 2011, 1:17 AM.
I agree with Jagdish Singh ji.
8: Jesroshan Singh (Malaysia), March 10, 2011, 1:31 AM.
My sword is for my Sikh brothers. It was made by Akal Purakh Himself. Tell me when and where and I shall come and fight. I am an idol breaker, not a broken man. How can we help our fellow Sikhs who are burdened with with impossible odds and hindrance from the Indian government. Arming them to defend themselves, appears to be the only way, under the circumstances.
9: Jaswinder Singh (Seattle, WA, U.S.A.), March 10, 2011, 3:00 AM.
Brijinder Singh ji: Well said! We are not looking for compensation. We need justice and we need to plan for the future, in case another criminal like Indira Gandhi seeks to repeat history.
10: Karam (Ahmedabad, India), March 10, 2011, 6:54 AM.
Dear Jaikar, please use your energy for saving Punjab first. Get nourished and then with a clear mind we'll return to this matter again.
11: Mohan Singh (Toronto, Ontario, Canada.), March 10, 2011, 9:34 AM.
We Sikhs need to stand united all over the world, live life the Sikhi way. Live and demand justice like a lion and not as a victim. In reality, we are a divided community; the hostility between our own groups may invite troubles. It is good to progress well in all directions; at the same time, it is wise to be alert, vigilant and united. Unfortunately, our political leaders have nothing to say. The federal machinery is also showing an indifference. Nowadays, even Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have avoided public statements; perhaps there is a fear of the Tunisia/Egypt virus, both belonging to a "dynasty". That explains why they haven't been much in the news. Even the media is at a low profile and the opposition is silent. Originally, this virus belongs to the I-syndrome: look at the history of Iraq, Iran, Israel, Ireland, Indonesia, Italy, India and, on top of it all, the Islamic nations. They all have socio-economic or socio-religious problems, dynasty rule, dictatorship and fake democracy with a long record of human rights violations. According to BBC, there is already an unofficial curfew in Andhra Pradesh, India, over 100,000 have been detained, and it is alarming the Indian politicians.
12: Kanwar Singh (Patiala, Punjab), March 10, 2011, 10:38 AM.
There is an old and well-tested piece of wisdom: "If you wish for peace, always be prepared for war". It's also known as the policy of "Peace through Strength." Not dissimilar from the Sikh concept of being "tyaar-bar-tyaar"! The latter is not what some frivolously interpret today as being dressed up in eighteenth century period costume. It means staying spiritually, physically, intellectually, and materially sharp ... and ever-ready. I agree with Jaikar Singh - it is time for Sikhs in India to re-group and become tyaar-bar-tyaar. It is the thing that will keep the cowardly desis at bay, because all that the latter have is strength of numbers. All we need to do is be strong and bide our time ... like lemmings, they will move-along quite nicely on their own to the cliff-edge ... and over. They always have.
13: Kultaran Singh (India), March 10, 2011, 10:48 AM.
Whilst agreeing with the sentiments expressed by S. Jaikar Singh in this article, I feel that the main thrust of every Sikh in India should be in finding a way by which the perpetrators of the 1984 crimes are brought to justice. Even if it is 27,28,30 years after the progroms. Better late than never. If all and sundry know that such crimes against Sikhs are always punished - even after 30 years and even if it is vigilante style, these cowards and their masters would not dare do what they did in '84.
14: H.S. Vachoa (U.S.A.), March 10, 2011, 8:12 PM.
For those who are still calling for justice from Hindu India, I see nothing but the height of naivette. Can an oppressor also be the judge and deliver justice? This suggestion or expectation is akin to asking Jews to seek justice from Nazi Germany. You can't get justice from something that is formed in the crucible of collective tyranny.
15: G.C. Singh (U.S.A.), March 10, 2011, 11:02 PM.
As I have said here many times before, only effective levers of political, economic and military power in our own hands will enable Sikhs to live with dignity and security on the Indian sub-continent. While the right to bear arms may be the second amendment in the American constitution, it is the first and foremost duty of a Sikh to be fully armed for self defence and be always ready to fight against tyranny.
16: Brijinder Singh (New York, U.S.A.), March 10, 2011, 11:08 PM.
Vachoa ji: The one thing that India holds dear is its image in the world. It is the true picture that we need to bring out before the world, of a deeply corrupt and dysfunctional society. I completely agree that charges brought against the perpetrators will be dismissed in an Indian court. We are looking for them to be tried in an international court for crimes against humanity. The only way we can do this is to bring international attention to our plight through protest. New Delhi is the perfect stage. Through peaceful yet forceful protest we can force the regime to show its true oppressive nature. This is what we can reveal to the world. We can win more support if we keep it a human-rights issue, instead of making it a Khalistan or Sikh-Hindu issue. If protestors come out in numbers, I see no reason why the S.G.P.C., Akali Dal and BJP won't join them. Those politicians won't miss an opportunity to pander to voters and punish the Congress Party.
17: Sukhbinder (Surrey, British Columbia, Canada), March 11, 2011, 3:17 AM.
I agree with the call to arms ... the leaders of the pogroms should be punished through vigilante justice, if the state is intent on subverting justice.
18: Dr. Birinder Singh Ahluwalia (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), March 11, 2011, 6:55 AM.
I firmly disagree with the author's proposed action for Sikhs to consider bearing firearms or get ordinance training or organize ordinance training facilities in lieu of having been denied justice in the matter of the 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms. It is important to point out that India is a democracy with solid institutions like the judiciary, law enforcement, etc. Recently, India is also going through a significant change in terms of economic progress and is in the process of becoming an upstanding partner of the international community. Everyday I read of new laws being passed by the Indian Govt. to root out corruption in the country, of Indian nationals demanding positive and tangible change for the country's institutions to be accountable, transparent and working in the best interest of the citizens they are supposed to serve. I believe not only Sikhs, but all Indian citizens should encourage and participate to bring positive/ constructive changes so that Indian democratic institutions perform in an environment that ensures the highest degree of accountability in serving the best interests of all Indian nationals. By doing this, India will not only become an upstanding and respectable member of the international community but can also become an example/ beacon for other democracies to follow, for the world to learn from India's leadership to champion human rights, to protect it's citizenry, to deliver justice to victims and to bring perpetrators of crimes to justice in a timely fashion. As rightfully said, "Justice delayed is Justice denied". I believe India as a nation can achieve all of the above and is on a path of doing just that. Countries like Canada or the U.S. or who are part of the E.U. have already achieved, to a significant degree, in making their democratic institutions strong and independent to serve their citizens well and I am certain Indian democratic institutions can and will achieve the same in the near future. I must emphasize that journalism plays a significant role in making all Govt. insititutions accountable for their actions and I have perceived that journalistic activism in India to bring positive change in the country is growing by the day.
19: G.C. Singh (U.S.A.), March 11, 2011, 11:15 AM.
Dr. Birinder Singh Ahluwalia's optimism is completely misplaced and totally contradicts the reality of Sikh experience in India for the last 60 years. The entire Indian government's machinery - legislative, administrative and judiciary - has worked in tandem to deny justice and has played a cruel joke with Sikhs through phony commissions. Their propaganda networks are still working overtime to defame and humiliate Sikhs every where. It is naive to expect justice when a judge, jury and prosecutor are appointed by the accused criminal and mass murderer. Guru Gobind Singh's unequivocal stand that "when all other means have failed, it is righteous to take up the sword," should be a clear guide to all Sikhs.
20: Gurpal (United Kingdom), March 12, 2011, 4:12 PM.
Why the need for two extremes? On a national level, we should pursue Dr. Birinder Singh Ahluwalia's sensible suggestions; on a local level, all Sikhs should have some means of protecting themselves. I know of large numbers of Sikh families in the U.K. who are to some extent adequately prepared should there homes be burgled, particularly in the backdrop of the huge crime wave against U.K. Sikhs, where criminals are burgling Sikh homes on the hunt for gold jewelery. Burglars entered our own home in the middle of the night and I chased them off with a 3 foot kirpan which we keep in the house. We then had burglar alarms and security measures installed the next day. Bringing about real change in India is what all those living in India should be preparing for the long term.
21: Jesroshan Singh (Malaysia), March 18, 2011, 9:31 AM.
Brothers and sisters, God has sent you this day of deliverance. Take it. It's yours. As they did, so shall be done. Bole so nihal, Sat Sri Akal.