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SIKHS CONTRIBUTION IN NATIONAL INTEGRATION AND COMMUNAL HARMONY
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ideology of the majority is creating problems for the minorities, putting
a dark spot on our nation. To feel inter-related or integrated is a
psychological reality. It has to be cultivated.
We boast of a civilization which is 5000 years old. Some of the
divisive factors may be inherent in the history, geography and culture
of our country, but there are forces, which accentuate these causes:
a) Religious fundamentalism;
b) Linguistic Parochialism;
c) Regionalism, exacerbated by unequal development in different
regions of the country, Bihar / Punjab and Haryana;
d) Old caste system, e.g., Dalits / Khatris, Jats / non-Jats.
The euphoria of independence was short-lived, as the partition
of the country brought in its wake senseless killings of Hindus, Sikhs,
Muslims across the newly created borders. As a school-going child, I
was a sufferer and witness to stabbing and firing when we migrated
from Pakistan to India. Our train was halted at Mughal Sarai near
Lahore for three hours with a constant threat of being butchered. A
godly hand saved us. On reaching Amritsar we learnt that Sikhs and
Hindus had stopped two trains full of Muslims for a similar fate.
However, sanity prevailed on both sides. There were residual issues
like demarcation of boundaries, equitable sharing of water resources,
and control over Kashmir. The last problem lingers on as an
international issue even after 57 turbulent years. Five hundred and
sixty two (562) independent princely states were given the option to
join Pakistan or India. Hyderabad (population about 14 million) and
Junagarh (population 5,45,000) had to be annexed with India after
‘police action’ and promise of privileges to the rulers. Hindu Maharaja
Hari Singh of predominantly Muslim Jammu and Kashmir state
remained uncommitted till armed tribesmen and regular troops from
Pakistan infiltrated his domain inducing him to sign the Instrument of
Accession to India on Oct 27, 1947. Pakistan refused to accept its
legality and fought wars in 1965, 1971 and 1999. Till today it is a
source of friction.
SIKHS' ROLE IN NATIONAL INTEGRATION
Indian society was caste-ridden. The four water tight castes of
Brahmin, Khatri, Vaish and Shudra were Manu’s gift to the society