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Summary of Question:	Integrity Of Sikhs
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Saturday, 2/10/2001 5:22 PM MST

I am young lady born and raised in the United States. Although I have a very western outlook, I am fascinated by Sikh history.

Like many others, I feel that the 'Khalistan' movement is not as strong as it was in the late 80's and early 90's anymore. However, I feel that is due to several reasons. First of all, literally a whole generation of Sikh youths were wiped out by the Indian government and the Punjab police. Second, so many Sikhs became afraid of voicing their opinion because they could be persecuted for that. There is a certain spirit that I feel has been missing. Why don't more people take interest in the thousands of innocent Sikhs who died during this time? It pains me when I read stories of their murders. My family was fortunate for we are all safe in the US. However, my mother's best friend in India did not get that same luxury. Her father and her husband were burned alive by a mad hindu mob who put a tire around their head in front of her and burned them. They were laughing loudly saying, "Buddia, disko karla" when they put the tire around her elderly father. It is horrible to imagine such evil.
I know that we must not let past anger get the best of us, but I wish and pray to Waheguru that Sikhs would take a greater stand by creating more unity amongst each other. Why do they make it all worse by fighting amongst themselves? We, Sikhs, need to re-learn what 'integrity' is all about. Waheguru is always with us if we truly believe. But what are we afraid of???

Any comments? Any answers?

God Bless :)

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REPLY
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Dear One:

Sat Siri Akal. I have no asnwers to the problems in India, only comments.

Many of us in the West find it terribly disheartening to see what our Sikh family in India is doing to our Panth and name. Those who adopted Sikhi in the West tend to avoid it entirely, involving themselves with India for pilgramages only, and often avoiding Indian Sikhs who are here because they do not want to get caught up in the same politics that have been brought here from India.

Just as many Punjabi-born Sikhs in the West are here to put the politics of Sikhi (in INdia) behind them. As you said it is a blessing to have that luxury. There are historical issues why there is so much infighting (which I hardly understand), but you have rightly pointed out that our brothers in India need to learn and PRACTICE integrity.

I think if you want to pursue this issue in greater depth, you can search other Sikh Websites (http://www.sikhseek.com) or go to a chatroom: http://www.sikhnet.com/Chat

Meantime we can practice forgiveness of those who continue the infighting and present such poor role models for our Sikh youth. And pray, as you said, for Khalsa unity to foster and grow. The Buddhists believe that a sincere single prayer can change the entire world. Do not underestimate the power of your prayer. And remember each of us as Sikh individuals can, by practicing the four pillars of Sikhi -- bani, bana, simran, seva, create and maintain our own individual integrity. Then we become role models for Sikhs everywhere.

God bless you,
-DKK