Personal reflections of Dr. Jagroop Singh, a student of Sikh Studies without funding or conflict of interest (13 June 2021)
Veteran Indian off-spinner, Harbhajan Singh offered an unconditional apology for posting a ‘forwarded’ picture of martyred Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala, commemorating the 37th year anniversary of those who died in ‘Operation Bluestar’ of 1984. He says,
“I just wish to clarify and apologise for an Instagram post yesterday. It was a Whatsapp forward that I posted in a haste and without even realizing the content used and what it signified and stood for”.
Harbhajan Singh
He further added,
“that was my mistake I accept, and at no stage do I subscribe to the views in that post or support the people whose picture were carried. I am a Sikh who will fight for India and not against India”.
Harbhajan Singh
This highlights that people should be both careful and mindful of their social media activity. The language used should be respectable and defensible so that it doesn’t embarrass you or your family: think constantly about hierarchical and cross accountability. Equally, one should not be afraid to make ‘I statements’ providing they are depicting reasonable opinions and respecting other peoples perspectives. There is a fine line between genuine opinion/view and offensive commentary, always requiring careful negotiation of the political landscape.
This is “a rabbit caught in headlights” scenario, which can affect anyone of us. It is only in these situations that we realize how poorly we understand ourselves and our relationship with the world around us. A person has multiple identities at any given time and even deeper complexities around their belief system. This is familiar territory for the early migrants to the western/developed world from the Panjab. We have some understanding of the concept and the practicalities of straddling dual cultures and to some extent still, do? This is an opportunity for reflection upon our understandings and attitudes without ‘badmouthing’ the cricketer.
Harbhajan Singh is best described as a modern Sikh and role model for many. He also portrays some Panjabi Sikh qualities when he makes reference to being both challenging and outspoken. He even said, “Desmesh Pita ka iko Sikh bouhut heh” (just one Sikh of Guru Gobind Singh) to withstand the spat with the Australian team. It is that bit of dormant Sikhism that may have some sympathy or allegiance to the Ghallughara Diwas. It drew an avalanche of trolling from the extreme right wing nationalists (Dr Amarajit Singh, TV 84) leading to denials and clarifications. However, now that the ‘cat is out of the bag’ he could have had his ‘finest hour’ by handling the issue in a statesman way? In his own words, “I have given my blood and sweat for this country for 20 years” allows him to some legitimate ‘latitude’ in personal beliefs and opinions. An opportunistic platform to change the nation’s perspective regarding this dark chapter has now been lost. In contrast to his fiery nature on the cricket field, he lamented by saying, “this is my unconditional apology for hurting the sentiments of my nation”.
Sports personalities as role models are reasonably asked by journalists to comment on societal and political issues. Clive Lloyd was asked about Afro-Caribbean supporter’s exuberant behaviour changing the cricketing atmosphere within the grounds. He gave the most eloquent response highlighting the plight of the black community in being marginalized and living in ghettoes. In contrast, Imran Khan avoided questions on Islamic issues by asserting that he was only answering cricket related issues. Harbhajan Singh has managed to do ‘neither one nor the other’ when he could have done so much better by expressing the Sikh nation’s sentiment.
At a time when President Biden is attending the G7 conference in Cornwall promoting democracy as a successful concept against autocracy and the ‘failed’ communism era. However, there is less commentary on the failings &/or the ‘abuses’ of democratic principles with rising ultra-nationalism. The inability to differentiate between nationalism and patriotism impinges on the freedom of expression and curtailing of dissent is evident. This incident serves to illustrate the fear generated by the majority political opinion and the backlash that it can muster. It is important to interrogate ourselves by asking, how many of us would really stand up to the system and risk losing accrued material gains? How many of us have the vocabulary or skill to mount an argument and convey a counter-narrative?
Reference:
Harbhajan Singh brutally trolled for calling Khalistani terrorist a ‘martyr’, spinner issues apology (Zee News) retrieved 11 June 2021
Singh, Amarjit Dr. (2021) Cricketer Harbhajan Singh’s U Turn in… (TV 84, published 8 June 2021) viewed 13 June 2021
Khalsa Diary 