Article By Dr Jagroop Singh Sihota
There is never a dull moment in the political scene of India with the recent publication of a ‘digital pamphlet’ titled “PM Modi and his government’s special relationship with Sikhs”. This document was produced by India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and emailed to Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation’s customer database. It is uncertain if only Sikh customers were sent these emails but this is a possibility. This occurrence at the height of farmers protest is suspicious of political maneuvering after labelling them as separatists and terrorists.
This raises 4 issues: –
- Use and abuse of database governed by General Data and Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe
- The special relationship with one community above another is indicative of inequity and contradictory to a secular constitution
- To soften the Sikh population’s perception at the height of farmer’s protests against the central government in Delhi
- This initiative is a part of a wider strategy by the Rashtriya Swyamsevak Sangh (RSS) to nullify Sikh philosophy, identity and way of life. The purpose of the text is to create a rift between Guru Granth and Guru Panth and incorporate it into Hinduism
From humble beginnings of being a Chaiwala to becoming a Prime Minister of the biggest democracy in the world is a new chapter in modern phenomenology . After overseeing an economical miracle in Gujarat as Chief Minister he was to be the chosen one. He has handled becoming PM of India and mixing with world leaders like Donald Trump with considerable ease, as exemplified by the chants of “Howdy, Modi” in a Texan rally. This adulation continued on his return to India, receiving credit for the ‘Kartarpur corridor” project in November 2019. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) couldn’t wait to heap a ‘Qaumi Sewa Award’ upon PM Modi on this auspicious occasion. The collective and collaborative effort including that of Imran Khan, were conveniently ignored. The opening citation describing Modi as a ‘Messiah’ by the SGPC is a source of embarrassment for the apex religious body and the Sikhs at large.
In contrast to the positive image projection, a darker side can be easily overlooked, under the affect of the ‘constructed’ awe. PM Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are advocates to a staunch Hindu nationalist agenda. The unforgettable Blue Star operation (June 1984) led to the inevitable assassination Indira Gandhi four months later. The pogroms of Delhi in November 1984 were premeditated and meticulously organized attack on Sikhs with disastrous consequences. The police, judiciary and the media may have been witnesses to these events but failed perform their duties. It is well documented that the BJP and Congress supporters were involved and a prominent Hindutva supremacist leader, the late Nanaji Deshmukh, openly justified the massacre. In rubbing salt into wounds, the BJP government posthumously conferred the highest civilian award upon Nanaji Deshmukh in 2019. Furthermore, the 2002 Gujarat pogroms instigated against Muslims are a blot on Narendra Modi’s tenure as the Chief Minister (Rana Ayoob). Justice S. Muralidhar of Delhi High Court criticized the police inaction during the 2020 Delhi riots against Muslims by Hindu mobs in relation to the Citizens Amendment Act (CAA) pogroms. He went on to compare this episode to the pattern of violence instigated against Sikhs in 1984 and that meted out to Muslims of Gujarat in 2002.
Elaboration on the 13 points:
- Sri Harmandir Sahib’s registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA, 2010) allowing monetary contributions from Sikh diaspora. It was an inappropriate regulatory imposition in the first place and now he cleverly wishes to claim credit for its removal?
- Waiving Goods and Services Tax (GST) on Langar items is a good move but one has to question the motives imposing this levy on what is a charitable service? Placing an additional burden on a Gurdwara serving free Langar is reprehensible. As a result, the Gurdwara is expected to engage in a convoluted bureaucratic process to claim back monies in the form of financial assistance under “Seva Bhoj Yojna”. The SGPC should never have accepted or complied with this taxation in the first place. And now we should fight to scrap this current legislation before we become enslaved under the “Seva Bhoj Yojna” scheme, dreamt up by the Hindutva.
- By commencing the road construction Kartarpur corridor project the limelight was on Imran Khan. In the meantime, PM Modi was playing ‘catch up’ but did remarkably well in dominating the proceedings thereafter. The promises of “seamless access” with “smooth & easy passage” are markedly different to the grounded reality. The requirement of a passport, pre requisite visa and entry fee $20 have proved to be significant barriers for the ordinary citizen. The government is more interested in capitalizing upon the retail potential of the pilgrims.
- Pictures of PM Modi paying obeisance are complimented by generic compliments of human characteristics of Guru Nanak without reference to the “Dhur ki Bani” and the “Roohaniat”/spiritual originating from God.
- PM Modi is proposing development of Sikh Studies programmes both in Panjab and overseas universities. This should be the responsibility of the Dharam Parchar Committee, a sub committee of the SGPC and not the national government agenda?
- Spreading the message of Gurbani in different languages may seem innocent enough but lends itself to misinformation and misinterpretation. Translation science is problematic and the hermeneutics phenomenon highlights the shortcomings of this process. The true and authentic meaning of Gurbani can only be achieved by reading in the Gurmukhi script and a Gurmukh approach. Indian government’s motivation in promoting Guru Nanak’s philosophy in this form can only mean a process of disinformation and a distortion exercise.
- Gurpurb event on the 350th birth celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh Ji was a showpiece event in Patna. Hindutva hijacked this event with the complicity of the SGPC but with considerable unease and consternation of learned Sikhs. PM Modi must be kidding about the “steps to improve connectivity” between various Takhts without any specific detail or motivation?
- Slashing the ‘blacklist’ appears a magnanimous gesture but was it justified in the first place? Greater transparency, consistency with legal and financial recourse would be a worthy step. Expediting release of prisoners languishing in jails having served their terms would end their continued suffering.
- In emphasizing the special relationship is a positive and convenient claim to bolster PM’s image. However, Shyina Chudasma (PA to PM Modi) described Hindutva as promoting equality in the form of “justice for all, appeasement of none”. So, is this a contradiction? In contrast, Sikhs only ask for a just and equal treatment without any desire for preferential or special relationships.
- “Wiping tears of riot victims: justice delivered after denial of 3 decades” is the equivalent of ‘scraping the barrel’! Government dealings regarding 1984 and its sequel have not been investigated and swept under the rug. “Dunga Peerat pariwar” receiving a poultry sum of approximately £5k for a loss of life is too little and too late. Genocide victims are described using benign terminology as a ‘cover up’. One high profile conviction of Sajjan Kumar and some minor personalities is a denial of justice, which can only be put right by full disclosure of government documents. PM Modi is in a position to reset the distorted narrative in the public domain thus far.
- Showcasing Sikh heritage to the world is an unnecessary distraction as these are places of reverence and worship. Commercialization has negative consequences, which in itself points to the Government’s hidden motives.
- Jallianwalla Bagh centenary was a highly politicized and partisan event last year by wiping out the major Sikh contribution. PM Modi wants to “make Guru Nanak’s words a part of our lives…. in order to create harmony”. Nothing wrong with that, lets do it and not “just talk the talk but walk the walk”.
- Data presented on empowering Sikh youth is not credible and not borne out of grounded experience. Lovely pictures on a glossy pamphlet may distort perception but does not alter our reality.
Discussion
In focusing on Guru Nanak alone is an attempt to ‘separate’ consciousness from the other 9 Gurus and of course, the final ‘living’ Guru, Granth Sahib Ji. Guru Nanak, whilst alive bowed to Guru Angad as the Atmak or Elahi Jote transference occurred. This is referenced within the Gurbani text: –
ਜੋਤਿ ਓਹਾ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਸਾਇ ਸਹਿ ਕਾਇਆ ਫੇਰਿ ਪਲਟੀਐ ॥
They shared the One Light and the same way; the King just changed His body.
(Guru Granth Sahib, page 966)
And
| ਲਹਣੇ ਧਰਿਓਨੁ ਛਤੁ ਸਿਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਸਿਫਤੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਪੀਵਦੈ ॥ He installed the royal canopy over Lehna’s head; Chanting the Lord’s Praises, He drank in the Ambrosial Nectar. |
ਲਹਣੇ ਧਰਿਓਨੁ ਛਤ੍ਰੁ ਸਿਰਿ ਅਸਮਾਨਿ ਕਿਆੜਾ ਛਿਕਿਓਨੁ ॥
He raised the royal canopy over the head of Lehna, and raised His glory to the skies.
| ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮਾਣੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਾਹਿ ਆਪੁ ਆਪੈ ਸੇਤੀ ਮਿਕਿਓਨੁ ॥ His Light merged into the Light, and He blended Him into Himself. |
Practicing Sikhs look to Guru Granth Sahib for guidance and inspiration and do not differentiate from one Guru to the next. Focusing and promoting just Guru Nanak is divisive by separating one Guru’s philosophy from another: –
This Holy Book is the home of the Transcendent Lord God.
(Guru Granth Sahib, page 1226)
And
ਇਕਾ ਬਾਣੀ ਇਕੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਇਕੋ ਸਬਦੁ ਵੀਚਾਰਿ ॥
There is One Bani; there is One Guru; there is one Shabad to contemplate.
(Guru Granth Sahib, page 646)
There have always been claims to Guru Nanak, eloquently demonstrated by both Hindus and Muslims wanting to pursue the last rites upon his death. The root of the problem began when Guru Nanak rejected the Sacred Thread (Jenue) ceremony as a young boy. Having been born into a Hindu family this was a rejection of Hinduism and all the ritualistic practices it entailed. A 9 year old boy challenging this very important tradition and be able to mount a successful argument against the learned Pundit is an extraordinary occurrence. A whole lifetime was spent in founding of a new Sikh religion, which is and was, radically different from the Hindu and Muslims faiths. However, the Hindus have pursued a multitude of strategies throughout history, to incorporate Sikhs to be a part of the Hindu ‘spectrum’. It is now increasingly evident that huge efforts are being made, through academic channels, to merge philosophical paradigms in establishing a robust connection to Hinduism.
An emerging theme is that Guru Nanak ‘belonged’ to all of humanity not exclusive to Sikhs alone. Therefore everyone has a right to interpret his teachings as they wish and take on board what they like. This ‘pick and mix’ approach is an affront to the orthodox Sikhs, particularly when their version is being labelled as misinformed, extreme &/or challenging to wider society. Guru Nanak’s teachings are a manual to a “way of life” in conjunction with a ‘Nanakshahi’ political system exemplifying truth, justice and compassion. Modern political democracies will have difficulty accepting this allegiance to religion above the state despite its full alignment with the United Nations charter.
ਨਾਨਕਿ ਰਾਜੁ ਚਲਾਇਆ ਸਚੁ ਕੋਟੁ ਸਤਾਣੀ ਨੀਵ ਦੈ ॥ Nanak established the kingdom;He built the true fortress on the strongest foundations. |
References:
Chudasma, Shyina (2020) Interview with Mishal Hussain on 5 August 2020, Today programme (BBC Radio 4)
Khalistani, Atinder Pal Singh (2020) Kisan Andolan versus PM Modi (Youtube video in Panjabi)
IRCTC sends out nearly 2 crore emails on PM Modi’s relationship with Sikhs (Mint) 14 December 2020
Rana, Yudhvir (2020) Centre to reimburse its share of GST on langar (Times of India)
Singh, Gurpreet (2020) PM Modi and his government’s special relationship with Sikhs (sabrang, online website)
Virk, Hardev Singh (2020) How and Why the Message of Guru Nanak got distorted? (The Sikh Review, Vol. 68 No. 796 Kolkata, India) Pages 49-56
Khalsa Diary 