There is always a pleasant experience to recall a glimpse of childhood. While in the 3rd standard of my primary school, I won the Guru Nanak Devji painting competition. I was awarded by the local Gurudwara (a Sikh temple) in 1988. It was an inspiration for students to learn about the journey and contribution of Guru Nanak Devji, the founder of Sikhism. His teachings are enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhism, which includes 974 hymns attributed to him. Even now, I follow his idea of social justice and selfless contribution to society.
It was a dark moment in Indian history when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated on 31st October 1984 by her two security commandos belonging to the Sikh community. As we know, the Sikh community is known for its distinct culture and charitable work of promoting Sikhism. But after 1984, the Sikh community has been maligned by political groups, and discriminated against their religious outlook, distinctive dress, especially turban and long hair. But nowadays, after the growing anti-India activities by the Khalistan separatists in western countries, the conditions are getting worse for the Sikh community. They are being considered Khalistani.
The Khalistan movement, which calls for an independent Sikh homeland, has been a contentious issue because it challenges the integrity of India. The Khalistan movement was at its peak in the 1980s, leading to a series of violent attacks and thousands of deaths in Punjab State of India. This period saw massacres of civilians, and attacks on Hindus. In 1984, the Indian military raided the Golden Temple through an operation named 'Blue Star', to remove militant separatists. This operation resulted in many deaths and significant damage to the temple. Following Operation Blue Star, as mentioned earlier, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards, which led to anti-Sikh riots resulting in thousands of Sikh deaths.
The Khalistan movement has lost steam in India, but some supporters in the Sikh diaspora continue to violent protest to create a new homeland, the Khalistan and engaging into anti-India activities, which have been intensifying lately. There is a high possibility that the Indian government has been keeping a strict watch on all Sikh businesses and organizations whoever are funding and supporting the hidden agendas of the Khalistanis, besides Sikh travelers may be banned from traveling to India even if they are of Indian origin. Sikhs living in Australia, Canada, UK, and US may be temporarily banned from entering India. Though Khalistanis do not really represent the Sikh community, every Sikh is a victim of their misdeeds, especially anti-India activities abroad.
The Khalistan movement has distorted Sikhism by promoting a separatist agenda that is at odds with the core teachings of Sikhism. This distortion risks Sikhism being misunderstood globally as anti-India activities go against its fundamental tenets.
- Prof Sudesh Kumar
