Our Struggle Is Eternal

 

4.10.1992

 

The Khalsa belongs to Waheguru!

To Waheguru belongs victory!

 

Today is Sunday, and we are writing this letter in the evening face to face. We are remembering our Qaum. We want for every Sikh to be baptised by the double-edged sword; we want for them all to bear arms and serve the Khalsa Panth. We want all our collective physical and spiritual might to face the Delhi throne head on and to raise our political consciousness to such a height that the whole world busies itself seeking guidance from the Khalsa Panth and Sri Akaal Takht Sahib. The battle for Khalistan is different from the wars and movements of today and yesterday that have been fought all over the world because whereas those other struggles have been for control of worldly space and values, the basis of our war is righteousness and human liberation. The struggle for Khalistan owes nothing to the want for political dominance or worldly value, but is rather better termed a crusade. We are imbued in the Sikh way of life before entering this battlefield and our only obeisance and support is the Immortal One. The doctrines that led us on to this crusade are very dear to us. We do not want to gain dominion over a Kingdom or territory if it comes at the price of our way of life – any such Khalistan that dismantles the philosophy of our way of life or is devoid of it would be an end for the Sikh people.

 

Our goal is the welfare of all; our crusade for the establishment of Khalistan as a political power is not an end to our journey, nor is it our destination. Our destination is to be at the lotus feet of the Guru, the True Emperor and our struggle to this end is eternal.

 

The last five hundred years has taught the Sikh people that in order to retain our way of life and help it prosper wider, we need a part of this earth where our roots can take hold and blossom, becoming a center from where we spread the Sikh doctrine. All know well that in the years leading up to 1947 and then beyond it, we engaged in an intrinsically touching peaceful struggle that is now a golden part of human history. But when those who rule become blind and deaf intoxicated by power, the struggle becomes wholly necessary and vital to our existence. Only when all other means fail does the Khalsa engage in armed struggle for as the Tenth Guru Nanak says:

 

When all other methods of communication have failed

It is righteous to take the sword in hand

 

The point for discussion before the Khalsa Panth today is not a question of whether the courageous struggle should be fought by peaceful means, for Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj has clearly indicated:

 

The truth spoken by the emancipator of the poor

Sovereignty is established through the power of arms

 

Rather, our thought and focus should be on the idea that this courageous struggle is fought along the highest of principles and Divine values, expressing our notion that the sword is not raised to inflict pain, but to bring peace and happiness. The barrel of the gun must always be aimed for the cause of the philosophically-minded, not the reverse. Battles and weapons have a deep connection to the Sikh lifestyle, thus a Sikh who denies themselves the bearing of arms has gone astray from this path.

 

This crusade calls out truthfully and genuinely to all nations and races of human beings challenging them to declare who they are, if they want to recognise their path of humanity within. Come let us all walk on that path that the Guru spoke of when they said:

 

With your feet, walk in the Way of the Lord.

Sins are washed away, chanting the Lord’s Name, even for a moment.

So do the Lord’s Work, and listen to the Lord’s Sermon.

In the Lord’s Court, O Nanak, your face shall be radiant. ||2||

[Ang 281, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj]

 

This is the path for humanity and this is the door at which the salvation of humanity is found. We are yours and this is your true path. Our appeal to fellow Sikhs is to become aware and knowledgeable of our rich heritage. We have been in slumber for so long that centuries have passed, so now is the time to wake up!

 

Why are you sleeping in worldly attachment, awake sometimes and be vigilant?

[Ang 1317, Sri Dasam Granth]

 

How proud should we be to have earnt human birth, and that too on the land of Guru and the Saints in an era of the Supreme pathway of life. How fortunate are we that our mother tongue is Gurbani which is the medium used by the Guru to preach the righteous way of life to humanity. When a Sikh follows their heritage and way of life, even a small amount of understanding helps them to resolve their problems.

 

We urge those self-righteous warriors of Sikhi to do their best to identify the true path of the Guru and build a golden future by evaluating the past and strengthening themselves. We must fight the battle for a higher morality maintaining our principles. It is vital that on this journey of life we are of the purest character and highest morality. The right to vanquish a wicked culprit of evil deeds belongs only to the Gurmukh whose own morality is greater than that of his foe. It is when we walk along the path in this way that the Guru will grace our life. We have no essence of pure character of our own accord; it is given to us as is true strength by the Immortal One when we walk in line with the Divine Design.

 

Dear Khalsa! Only when we spend nights under the open sky do the stars guide us by their light. When we are incarcerated and locked away then too do we remember you all; it is only by your blessings and divine guidance that we are here where we are. When Sikhs fight on the battlefield and when they are marched to the gallows, then too you are within our memory. The stage at which we have brought this battle is by your blessings – it is you who will place the tokens of General, Chief, and Emperor upon us, gracious as you are. Today’s Mir Mannu beats us daily and dozens are caught to be thrown into prison each day, but the lions of the Khalsa get back up to stand in front of each other again. Don’t get mired in confusion and advance onward. The Tenth Master will be right here with us in every breath. When the enslaved Qaum that has always comprised dignity and self-respect, straightens it’s spine and stands tall, then in the eyes of those with an extensive vision and lofty ideals, does it become truly free.

 

Bhai Harjinder Singh Jinda

Bhai Sukhdev Singh Sukha