During our two recent visits to Punjab, we have observed a subtle attempt by Brahminical forces to instigate the Dalits and Dalit Sikhs against the Jat Sikhs, divide the Sikhs and destroy the revolutionary Sikh religion. (DV Aug.1, 2004 p.20: “Paradox of Punjab“).
PRINCIPAL ENEMY
That Sikhism itself has suffered steady deterioration became clear in the long DV Debate on “Slow death of Sikhism”. (DV Edit Nov.1, 1998: “Slow death of a brave community: BSO using internal enemies to destroy Sikh identity”). The Ballan saints are well aware of this and are proceeding carefully. They want to maintain close and cordial relationship with Jat Sikhs, the SGPC and the Sikh religious The authorities.
Brahminical forces have been trying-to sabotage the revolutionary Sikhism both from inside and outside. Nobody can forget the bloodbath which the Brahminical forces engineered in 1984 in the name of “Blue Star Operation”. Brahminism never tolerates any challenge to its authority. It goes on instigating Dalits against Sikhs and vice versa. This is a centuries-old game.
those of us who have identified Brahminism as our principal enemy cannot support Dalit criticism of Sikhs as it will only help Brahminism. To win over such forces operating on both sides of the divide, it was decided at the recent Shimla Dalit Voice workshop to call a meeting of honest Sikh and Dalit intellectuals at Chandigarh to resolve the differences. in this we will seek the support of Jat Sikh intellectuals, Ballan saints, Dalit intellectuals and all those interested in saving Sikhism from the jaws of Brother Brahminism.
Bohoru may tell us how he can contribute to avert future explosions like the Talhan.
CAUSE OF JAT ALIENATION
Brother Gurnam Singh, who was present at Shimla did not join the hate-campaign against the Jat Sikhs. He was all in favour of a Dalit Sikh united fight against Brahminism.
‘Dr. (Mrs.) K.K. Sidhu, who looks after our Hindi and Punjabi DV from Delhi and a Jat Sikh herself, admitted that the growing differences among the Jat Sikhs has taken them closer to Brahminism and away from Dalits. While we find Dalit-Muslim unity movements in different parts of India, there is hardly any Dalit-Sikh unity efforts in Punjab. This is because the Sikh population is t0o small and confined to one state. On the other hand, Dalit Sikhs and Dalits are a much bigger population compared to upper caste Sikhs.
Guru Nanak, a Khatri; launched their Sikh revolution. But when the Khatri revolutionary fervour waned, the Jats stepped in and took over the Sikh revolution. May be the Jat. Sikhs are no longer interested in Sikh Revolution. (Jagjit Singh, The Sikh Revolution, 1998, Bahri Publication, New Delhi -110 019). Brahminism. has killed the revolutionary fervour in both Khatris and Jats.
Now it ‘is the turn of the lowest of the low- Dalits — to take over Sikhism and the Guru Granth and save it from the jaws of Brahminism. ‘The wheel of history has turned a full circle. This is what we meant in our Editorial of July 1, 2004: Chamar power rescues Sikhism“.
During our discussion at Chandigarh with Jat and Khatri Sikhs, they too shared this opinion that Dalits alone can now save – Sikhism.
This was also the conclusion of our Shimla DV readers meet.
DV is keen to hold a meeting of honest intellectuals interested in such a movement at Chandigarh. Those interested may write to us.
