Jan-March 2006 - Institute of Sikh Studies

46ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES : JAN-MARCH 2006 / 537-38 NSconsider: when it comes to signatures on the Constitution or clubbingus with Hindus in the same, the decisions are justified by keeping theCountry as a unit, when our percentage becomes minimal to matter,but when it comes to assigning us minority status or getting into thearmy, a State becomes the deciding factor. Further, if river waters arenational resources, then what about coal, oil, etc? Are these resources,in spite of being restricted to some states, also shared by the nation,as a matter of right? Also, when reorganization on the basis of languagewas done, Haryana was delineated as a separate state out of Punjab,but when it comes to river waters, Haryana should get its ‘share’ inspite of being non-riparian to Punjab rivers. Such issues, to nameonly a few, without doubt, need concerted deliberations and a collectiveresponse.It is not only the internal controversies or national issues thathave to be addressed/resolved, but we also need to chalk out plansfor a grand future of the Panth, which should be seen as at the serviceof humanity. But as long as we are a split lot, no body needs to payany heed to us, nor would we be capable of any achievements. Onceunited, even sparrows can outsmart the hunter; and, we are supposedto be the hawks/lions of Guru, each equivalent to a sawa lakh. Whythen does it not reflect in the image that we enjoy (?) today? Surely,we are off the mark, that means.A RAY OF HOPEI congratulate the Institute of Sikh Studies for taking the initiativeto form an International Sikh Confederation (ISC), which would enablethe Sikhs, once again, to take charge of their affairs. Independentdecisions taken by regional organizations, like the IOSS, Chandigarh,SGPC, Amritsar, DSGMC, Delhi, WSC-AR, America, may not be truereflection of the will of the Panth. But once their representativesmeet on a common platform, their decisions, made with the assistanceof experts of relevant fields, would be acceptable to all. And, theSikh jagat would be able to put up a united front and communicate tothe world in one voice, putting an end to the present-day clamour (themost recent example is the handling of the case of world heritagestatus for Golden Temple). The blueprint of the Constitution of ISChas been so worked out, that it would not be financially dependent on