Throughout history we Sikhs have been heroic, justice oriented, egalitarian and a strong people. Such people are often targeted in order for corruption and oppression to thrive. Today this targeting has continued, yet we stand strong and Sikhs are known for our ever uplifting optimism, ‘Chardi Kala’. We don’t suffer. We stand resolute in the face of adversity; It was Guru Arjun who taught us this by setting the ultimate example. In the face of unspeakable torture he maintained that even this is God’s Will and we are to accept it sweetly. When asked if he would negotiate his sentence, he refused to look at the situation with worldly eyes. Instead he pointed to the guard at the door and the torturer pouring hot sand on his skin and he said, “I see Guru Arjun there and I see Guru Arjun there.” Wherever he looked he saw his own divine self.
Though it may be difficult to live to such standards we have been asked and challenged to do exactly that. One’s mind begs to know what was in God’s will when Darbar Sahib was attacked in 1984. How are we to accept this will as sweet? Those who died in 1984, on a soul level, did they sacrifice themselves for a purpose?
Though we may not know God’s plan for our destiny, surely nothing exists outside of the Will,
ਹੁਕਮੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਹੁਕਮ ਨ ਕੋਇ॥
hukmai andar sab ko, bahar hukam na koi
Everything is in Thy Will, nothing is outside of it.
Recently, because of the ‘Thirty Year Rule,” in the UK, we have learned that, in Feb of 1984, the British Thatcher government was in communication with the Indian Gandhi government in regards to plans to address “communal violence in the Punjab”. Thereafter an SAS agent traveled to India and “[drew] up a plan which has been approved by Mrs Gandhi.” Thatcher’s government was very concerned of the reaction if this interaction was made public and stressed the importance of keeping these communications secret.
This comes as a revelation as there has never been official acknowledgement of such joint planning between these governments in 1984. The documents beg questions, especially with the statement of blog StopDeportation, “three other letters in this chain... have been weeded out of the file and remain classified.” British officials and Sikh organizations are demanding all material in these communications be exposed and Prime Minister David Cameron has promptly responded ordering a review and insured, "... that the inquiry will be thorough, it will be transparent and it will get to the truth.”
Our communities around the world are keen to see what will be revealed and discussion about 1984 is rekindled.
However, no government could answer our most important questions. We are the only ones who can do that. Who are we and how do we move forward? We are the only ones who can choose Chardi Kala for ourselves. Only we can choose to live with devotion, fearlessness and justice. Only we can choose to honor our dead, and celebrate their moving into the lap of the Guru. Only we can remember them for their sacrifice. Our prayers are always with those who survived.
Perhaps this generation is witnessing the fruit of the sacrifice made in Punjab 30 years ago. Surely the wheels of karma will turn to favor the true Khalsa, sooner or later. Sikhs are being recognized more and more for who we are. Since 1984, Sikhs have spread and grown in every corner of the earth. Gurdwara langars are being visited more and more by the needy in the west. Sikhs have risen to high levels in the British and Canadian government and are emerging as leaders wherever they live. Hundreds of thousands of security, TSA and police have received sensitivity training and education as to who the Sikhs are. In many ways the Sikh identity is suddenly surfacing in the eyes of the world, from total obscurity to an emerging curiosity.
As the 30th anniversary of the 1984 attacks on the Golden Temple approaches, we have a unique opportunity to position ourselves in the global media. The Sikh identity is a pure identity. We must show our true face. Whatever communications we pursue and actions we take, let us say to the world:
We are not your strangers, we are your neighbors.
We are not separate from you, we are next to you, still ready to serve you.
Though we have endured hardships, we stay true to our beliefs.
We believe in Nirbhau Nirvair, without fear, without hate.
We believe in Chardi Kala and we look to the future and the enlightenment of all people.
We have been dauntless in the face of holocausts in the past and we will be fearless in our integrity in the future.
For those who want to persecute us we will never fade away.
For those who want to silence us, our songs will never end.
We will be here serving the people of the world, with our open langars, food for all.
Our prayers will never end, we will continue singing our devotion.
We are Sikhs and we are here to stay.
Nanak Naam Chardi Kala, Tere Bhane Sarbat Da Bhala
With the blessing of Guru Nanak may we be in rising spirits, working along with the Will of God for the good of all beings.
Editor's note: This article was originally published on Jan 20th 2014
