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Summary of Question:	Not Happy With Sikh Society At My University
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Monday, 10/07/2002 7:05 AM MDT

Wahe Guruji Ka Khalsa; Wahe Guruji Ki Fathae,

Hi, just to let you know there was something I saw on Friday 4th of October, and it left me feeling hurt inside, I wanted to share my feelings with someone, and I thought I come here. Well I am a student at University, and for two years I have held a membership with this 'Socialist Student Society'. Well to cut the long story to short, we have taken part in this campaign opposing Bush and Blair's war on Iraq. Personally I strongly disagree with Bush's policy on Iraq, it would be a big mistake to wage a war on Iraq. Well, what happened we were approached by a good number of students who are members of the Sikh society at my university.

Well, I found them very intimidating, they made it crystral clear that they strongly disagree with us and they support Bush's war on Iraq. 'WAR ON IRAQ! WAR ON IRAQ!' were what they were saying, every time they passed our stall on purpose. They were laughing at us. Now, I am of a Sikh background myself, but not much into Sikhi, now their attitude towards us lot (Socialist Student Society), their approach has kind of put me off from joining the Sikh society, otherwise I was going to join this society of their's as well as keeping in touch with the Socialist Society.

Isn't it that the Guru Granth Sahib strongly says that waging a war on poor, innocent, defenceless people is a sin against mankind? That an Amritdhari Sikh should only fight in self defense and protect the vulnerable and the innocent?
If we look back at the history of Khalsa, Sikhs have alway fought on behalf of Muslims, Hindus and people of other origins, supporting them, for their sake of live life peacefully? At the time of our Gurus, India was under the Muslim empire, it was being torn apart between two faiths 'Islam' and 'Hinduism'. Guru Nanak treated everyone equally, he did not question a person of his faith. The ordinary Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs had so much in common with eachother, infact there were just as many Muslims (those living in poverty) in India, who were just as much opressed by the Moghul empire as other Indians. I tried explaining to these Sikh Students about our ideas, and what we think is the best for the people of Iraq, rather than Bush and Blair planning to nuke their country. Already a million innocent Iraqi children have been massacred in the last ten years due to these military sanctions imposed on Iraq by the U.S, but it has not brought any harm to Saddam. What the Socialists believe is that Iraqis should be given our soul support to overthrow Saddam's evil regime, and for them to elect their own democratic Government, not for Blair and Bush to nuke their country and maybe to implant another oppressive Government inside it, as America is normally known for doing this.

I don't know, I was really left hurt inside by the Sikh Society. No Amritdhari Sikh should support Bush's war on Iraq, they are going to massacre more and more innocent civilians. Their main interests are in the profits they have lying in the Middle East from the oil supply, and to implant another oppressive Government, if they manage to overthrow Saddam's evil regime. So basically Bush wants to kill more people for oil. Right now, I feel like criticising this Sikh Student Society at my Uni, let them know how dissapointed they've left me inside. To know my honest opinion, I would not class them to be true Sikhs, from the nature of their attitude. They refused to listen to us, but continued making fun of us. I would not class myself to be a Sikh, but what they were doing was way out of order. Well, I am not the one to judge, but there is something I noticed in these people, which I can't accept. I do not hate them, but that was a big mistake they made. One of them even said to me that I should not be supporting the Iraqis at all, because they are Muslims.

On Saturday 28th of November there was a Big demonstration in London opposing Bush's war on Iraq, about 400,000 turned up, and not one Sikh in the crowd!!! What has our society come to ??? It is not just with Sikhs but the Asian society on the whole need to be more radical and to have an active interest in certain world issues, to support campaigns against war, world poverty, certain evils of the Capitalist society we live under etc etc.

Anyway got to be going now, Hoping to hear from you soon, and pardon me for this long letter. Saatsri Akaal.


REPLY

So raise the question? Start asking people why they support the war and tell them why you do not. You are right to question the need to go to war. Sometimes it is right and sometimes it is wrong and if to you it is wrong then by all means support people against the war. focus on what you do and remember you will stand out if you get involved. many here in the US also do not like the idea of war... and in most free society it is okay to disagree with others that is what makes us free. Remember you may not be popular but you will feel better. Can you deal with that? Also in such an endevor you will find like minded people as well. I think unfortunatly there are many sikhs who would go to war a just because they do not like muslims -- but that is only my opinion.

SSM

follow your heart!