Guru Hargobind Sahib Jee's First Sermon

Guru Hargobind Sahib Jee's first sermon must be heard again today, and it applies just as much now as it did when he first gave it.

Guru Arjan Dev Jee had been brutally tortured and had embraced martyrdom, becoming an example for the Panth. The Sikhs were grief-struck and felt a sense of despair. The small Panth of Guru Nanak had been targeted by the mighty power of the Mughals.

Guru Hargobind Sahib, became the next Guru as per the orders of his father. In front of all the gathered Sikhs, Baba Buddha jee put the two swords of miri and piri on Guru Hargobind Sahib. Guru Sahib was dressed like an emperor and there was a kalgi on his dastaar.

The Dhadis, Bhai Abdullah and Bhai Nath Mal, at the hukam of Guru Hargobind Sahib, sang a vaar filled with bir ras.

Then, Guru Hargobind Sahib rose and gave his first sermon to the Sikhs:

“Today the offerings that are beloved to me are good weapons and good youth. If you want my happiness, then exercise your bodies, wrestle, play gatka, go into the jungles to hunt and learn to ride horses. Weakness is now a crime to the Nation that cannot be forgiven for anyone. You will take up the sword and I now wear the sword so that the swords of tyranny and oppression will stop forever.

You have all come from far and wide today. The cool tranquillity has been stolen from not just your heart and my heart, but from the entire world. Our swords will not rest until we bring this oppression to an end.

Make day and night one. Go into the villages and light the inferno of revolution. Tell the people that we need their youth. Only that is a good youth that sacrifices itself for the cause of the Nation. We need sacred hearts and pure minds. Enshrine Waheguru in your hearts. We fear death because we have not experienced true life. We feel worry because we have not enjoyed a taste of life. We feel fear because our destination and goal seems so far off. But if you challenge death, death will flee from you. If you learn to walk with your heads held high then worry will depart. If you are determined to walk, the destination will not be so far away. Have faith in Vahiguru and all fears will vanish. If fear has left you then even death will seem like bliss.”

Guru jee continued,

“Do not think that you are too few. You are all like springs. Oceans flow out of these very springs. There are hundreds of thousands of springs like you in our Nation. When you come together and flow forward, you will create a flood.
A small and insignificant piece of wood, when made into a match, can light the entire jungle on fire. But you are humans! And furthermore, those humans whose heart has just now been scorched on hot iron plates [reference to shahidi of Guru Arjan Dev jee].

Addressing the poets in the Sangat, Guru Sahib said,

“See, God has given you the gift of poetry. When nations are built, you are the foundations. Stop all these other untimely songs and work to bring the Nation out of this deep dark pit. Tell those stories which will make the people willing to lose their skin like they would be willing to change their clothes. Fill the people of our Nation with the spirit and fervour to be like moths so they will sacrifice themselves in the flames of our cause.

Our blood has become cold. Tell us stories of Shahidi and become the furnaces that will boil our blood. Give us the passion to make the trampled Punjab and our crushed Nation rise to its feet once again.”

Speaking to the Dhadis, Guru Sahib said,

“Now is the time that your instruments should call out a challenge. Your notes should stir the Nation. The beat of your dhads should awaken the people and the bells on your bows should make hearts fill with the zeal of sacrifice.”

 
We must hear Guru Sahib’s message again today and rise to the challenge.

My thoughts on the Current State of Panjab

I haven't got any work done over the past week. I can't think about anything except what's happening to our brothers and sisters in Punjab.

 

I can't get over how corrupt the Indian government is and how unnecessarily violent the police are. Why are peaceful protests seen as such a crime? Why are the police beating protestors when all they've actually done is turn up? Why are the police acting violently and provoking reaction at a perfectly safe, peaceful protest? Why are youth being fired at, from behind? Why are the voices of the minorities immediately suppressed? Why are so called Sikh police officers failing to support the Panth? Why aren't these so called Sikh police officers showing loyalty towards their Guru and their Panth? Why is it okay for completely innocent boys to be shot? Why the hell is the Indian system so messed up?!

But I also can't get over how much support people are showing, and how much awareness we've managed to raise. The protests were shown on the news. People involved in British politics are showing their concerns. Seas of orange flooded areas of the country. Handsworth, Smethwick etc. were absolutely covered in orange, with orange material tied on every post, railing, streetlight, shop etc. Nishaan sahibs are adorning the cars and houses of Sikhs. Orange Dastaara are everywhere.... even the Raagis at Harimandir Sahib pledged orange. People are being asked by work colleagues about why they have nishaan sahibs on their houses and cars. I've been repeatedly asked about the orange band around my wrist at school. Even Facebook showed a video about Rajoana in the advertisements bar at the side of my page. People are shocked by the injustices of the Indian government.


All of this is simply a question of Humanity. The death penalty itself is a breach of human rights. The inconsistent use of the death penalty in certainly unjust. Needlessly beating and firing at innocent protestors is disgusting. Killing unarmed youth is completely unnacceptable. What's it gonna take for India to bring justice to its people? This is not about political/ religious factions opposing one another. The fight is for Justice.

"For the last ten years grave human rights violations have been perpetrated in Punjab by the police in their efforts to suppress an often violent campaign for the establishment of a Sikh homeland in a state called "Khalistan". These violations include scores of "disappearances", extrajudicial killings, widespread torture, unacknowledged detentions as well as deaths in custody. Amnesty International has documented its concerns about these human rights violations for many years. The state and central governments continue to deny the occurrence of virtually all these human rights violations. For example, K.P.S Gill, the Director General of Police, Punjab, claimed during a visit to London in June 1994 that allegations of "disappearances" were entirely unfounded since they concerned young men who had left the country and were living abroad. However, there were often eye-witnesses to their arrest and court orders to produce some of the victims of such practices in court have been routinely ignored by police and senior officials."

- Amnesty International

Bhai Balwant Singh Ji Rajoana

Bhai Balwant Singh Ji Rajoana. This Singh was one of the masterminds behind the killing of Punjab Chief Minister Beant Sinh, who was responsible for the death of over 50,000 young Sikhs (in extra judicial killings by the Indian Govt). This Singh was to be hanged till death, but his punishment would have been less severe if he asked for mercy, which this self-respecting Soorma rejected. Instead this Lion of the Guru requested that the government should execute him when they want to.

He shows no fear of death, like a true Guru ka Singh. His last wish is that any parts of his body be donated to those who need them, and that his eyes be donated to the blind Raagi of Darbar Sahib, Amritsar. In this way, his eyes can continue to have Darshan of Maharaaj even when he's gone.

"His is a rare case where an accused in a murder case, after being awarded death penalty, had not only chosen not to go for an appeal but even kept on asking to hang him as early as possible."

One more name to the long list of Sikh Shaheeds... Please remember him in your prayers...

The first part of Bhai Sahib Jee's will:

Ik Onkar

Oh Kabir, there is nothing of mine in this life,
Whatever is there, is yours.
If I surrender what is yours, unto Thee,
What do I lose or pay?

Bhagat Kabir, Guru Granth Sahib

Accepting the Omnipresence of Akal Purakh (God Almighty), I hereby swear an oath that, after my death, all the parts of my body which can benefit any person are pledged to the highest temporal authority of the Sikhs, Sri Akal Takht Sahib.

It is my earnest wish that after my death, my eyes may kindly be given to Hazuri Ragi of Sri Darbar Sahib Harmandar Sahib, Bhai Lakhwinder Singh, who is blind, so that through him, my eyes continue to revere holy Darbar Sahib. For medical or other reasons, in case this is not possible, then my eyes may be given to any other needy person.

In addition to this any other part of my body (heart, kidney or any other) which can be beneficial to any other person, may be given to that person.

How beautiful and abundant is the pyaar of this Gursikh??

Pledge Orange!!

This is why you should pledge orange!! Orange dastaara, patke, chunia, armbands, wristbands, scarves, flags, hoodies, t-shirts, whatever... it's the colour of the revolution!! Be questioned, educate those around you! RAISE AWARENESS!!

Young Hindu Panjabi Apologises to Sikh Nation

MUST WATCH: ONE LOVE ♥

To both my Sikh and my non Sikh brothers and sisters, please watch and share this video. It is an example of the love Humanity shares, regardless or religious, cultural, social, national, political etc. boundaries. If you can't understand Panjabi, I've written a rough translation/ summary below.

A YOUNG HINDU PANJABI SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ON THE KILLINGS OF TWO INNOCENT PEACEFUL SIKH PROTESTORS BY THE POLICE AND THE DISGUSTING AND DISRESPECTFUL ACTS OF PROVOCATION OF THE SHIV SENA. 

A Hindu Panjabi who has been watching the peaceful protests against the execution of Rajoana is talking about how yesterday a group of Sikh students was fired at by police after being provoked by the Shiv Sena (through burning and stamping on a Sikh's turban), in which two youth, much like himself, were killed. He expresses the distress he felt when he heard about the killing of Jaspal Singh, an 18 year old innocent Sikh student, and Ranjit Singh, who was only 16, who were peacefully protesting. He is deeply upset by the deaths and he expresses the pain he feels for the families. He cannot understand how and why the police can commit such atrocities. He asks his Sikh brothers to see the difference between the Shiv Sena and the rest of the Hindu population. He says that the Shiv Sena supporters cannot call themselves Hindu, and they are tainting the name of Hindus. He was angered that the Shiv Sena could commit such a disgusting act as to disrespect and set fire to a Sikh brother's turban. He requests for his Hindu Brothers not to fall into the trap of the Shiv Sena. He says if anyone is fighting for their justice (i.e. the Sikh Panth), please let them fight. He doesn't understand why the Shiv Sena got involved. Sikhs want justice for the massacres of 1984, and for these shaheeds, from the government, so why are the Shive Sena getting involved? He says these interferences are all just dirty politics. He says if you think Sikhs are bad, then answer this question: When Aurangzeb was forcefully converting the majority Hindu population to Islam, who did we (the Hindus) run to? To Dhan Guru Tegh Bahadur Jee Maharaaj, who was martyed for us. Where was our bravery then? When our sisters and daughters were being abducted, where was our bravery then? Where was the Shiv Sena then? At that time the Sikhs saved us. Now today, when they are being targeted, why are we not standing with them? Although he doesn't personally support Rajoana, he strongly objects to the injustices that occured yesterday with the killings of innocent protesters and the involvement of the Shiv Sena in disrespecting Dastaars. He personally, from the entire Sikh Sangat, puts his hands together and asks for forgiveness, as a Hindu, that people are taking his name of God and committing these disgusting acts. His last message for his Sikh brothers is to please hate the Shiv Sena, not Shiv Ji. They are not Hindus; they are animals taking the name of Hindus. After 27 years there was finally peace in our Panjab, and we were beginning to live in harmony. When the Son of a Mother dies, he's not a Hindu or a Muslim or a Sikh, he is simply the Son of a Mother.

This young Hindu should definitely not have to apologise on behalf of these animals, but the point is, you can't paint everyone with the same brush; love and despair crosses religious boundaries.

The Story of Bhai Balwant Singh Ji Rajoana

This is the story of Bhai Balwant Singh Jee Rajoana. The Indian government intends to hang this man. He was the back up assassin of former Chief Minister of Punjab, Beanta, who was responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of Sikhs.

Why Balwant Singh Rajoana Never Appealed Against His Death Sentence

Why Balwant Singh Rajoana Never Appealed Against His Death Sentence

Ruchi Gupta

Balwant Singh Rajoana was to be executed on March 31. This would have been the first execution in India since 2004. His execution has been stayed - for the time being - in response to the rising whirlpool of politics that's engulfed Punjab on this issue. That India should sully its record again after 8 years with state sanctioned murder is a matter of distress, but this consideration seems largely removed from the politics of Rajoana's execution. However even in addition to principled opposition to the death penalty, the cynical considerations swirling around his execution, the specifics of the case itself are significant.

Opposition to capital punishment is removed from the specifics of the case, basing the argument on human rights, the range and extent of power given to the State, citizen's right to equality before law, the inherent arbitrariness in the exercise of power by individual state functionaries, and irrevocability of the punishment especially given the possibility of wrongful conviction. In contrast, the proponents of capital punishment argue on the specifics, seeking justification in the heinousness of the crime, recidivism, retribution, and deterrence. In this the proponents are almost vigilante in their perspective, with their preoccupation with punishment for the alleged lawbreaker than the state, its powers and processes, and civil liberties

Nevertheless in this instance, the specifics too raise some disturbing questions. Balwant Singh is on death row for his role in the suicide bombing of the former Chief Minister of Punjab, Beant Singh in 1995. 17 persons, including the Chief Minister were killed. The history has some relevance. Punjab had been racked by insurgency since the seventies, with the regional autonomy movement progressively hardening into a secessionist movement over the decades. President's Rule was established in 1987 in the aftermath of Operation Bluestar and the Sikh pogrom in Delhi in 1984. After five years of President Rule checkered by militancy and heavy police crackdown, elections were called in 1992, but were postponed twice. Protesting that the elections were unlikely to be "free and fair", the Sikh parties boycotted the elections. With voter turnout in the low twenties, Beant Singh's ascendancy was widely disparaged by the Sikhs as lacking legitimacy. Militancy and consequent police clampdown continued unabated. Beant Singh was assassinated in 1995 by suicide bomber Dilawar Singh, aided by Balwant Singh and others.

During trial, Balwant Singh refused counsel, asking instead to be allowed to represent himself. He did not cross-examine witnesses. He was awarded the death penalty. In 2009, when his death sentence came for conviction in the High Court [as part of the legal process], he again refused counsel and asked to be allowed to argue his own case. His intent in each instance was not to seek acquittal. In the 14 years that the case made its way from the trial court to the High Court, Balwant Singh held to his story, claiming that he strapped the bomb on to the body of Dilawar Singh. The High Court, noting that there was no evidence in favour of Balwant Singh in order to "have a second thought on the murder reference of Balwant Singh, coupled with his three confessional statements, there is no other alternate with us but to confirm" the death penalty. Balwant also refused to appeal against the death penalty administratively through mercy petition to the Governor and/or President. In a letter to the Chief Justice of the High Court, he writes, "legal system, judicial system of this Country and the rulers of this Country have been discriminating" [and that] "slavery of such system is not acceptable to me". In embracing 17 years of imprisonment including solitary confinement and ultimate execution, Balwant Singh is making a political statement.

In his letter and statements, he brings out his search for justice in the democratic framework, his feeling of marginalization and his desire for rebellion. He sees the injustice of the swiftness of response when a five star hotel in Mumbai is under siege and the dilatory tactics of commissioning enquiry committees without any accountability for the thousands who perished in the 1984 Sikh pogrom. He writes, "thousands of Sikhs were massacred. It is submitted that these murderers have neither been punished nor been punished by any Court of law of the country even after 25 years [...] Here I would like to ask your Lordship that the persons who have killed thousands of innocent xxxx, xxxx, and xxxx [redacted] are not the terrorists. Why not the law of the nation, [redacted] try to interfere in the matter. On the contrary, when the  hotels of Mumbai are attacked then the military of the country immediately interferes. The commandos of Delhi initiate immediate action after reaching Delhi. This is made to known as to which in which village the assailants reside in [redacted]. Contrary to it, the [redacted] of [redacted] of people in Delhi could not be identified. How the security can be assured without the law when everybody knows the killers" [sic]. He locates the justification for the suicide bombing in this persecution by the state (as per his contention) and the lack of accountability saying in a statement to the District and Sessions Judge, Patiala, "conscience of a person have self respect refuses to accept the authority of callous rulers. Such feels instigate a person for becoming human bomb rather than to become a human being [sic]"

The purpose of this article is not to romanticize Balwant Singh or terrorism. But surely some introspection is required when an obviously bright individual seeks political expression in the rejection of the "democratic" government itself even at the cost of his own life? Our democratic systems are discriminating - on class, caste, and religious lines. After 64 years of democracy, which by definition means people's control over the state to ensure propagation of their interests, more than 3 quarters of our country still ekes out a living on just Rs 20 per day. In our ostensibly secular state, all significant minorities have been persecuted (1984, 1992, 2002, 2008) without any accountability. Likewise the constitutional promise of equality before rule of law is flouted routinely. The poor are routinely displaced, their rights violated, their very being often declared illegal. The poor overwhelmingly populate our jails; around 70% are under-trials, not convicts. The death penalty too is disproportionately administered to the poor. Balwant Singh's execution is now embroiled in cynical politics from all sides, however whatever the outcome, we all share some blame in perpetuation of a system where meaningful political expression, redress and justice is denied to all but a small minority.

(Ruchi Gupta works in a think tank in Delhi. The views expressed are her own. She can be reached at  gupta.ruchi@gmail.com)

WE ARE NOT EXTREMISTS!

#RAJOANA

 

  

What are we fighting for? Watch this video.