|
We live in the 21st century where you would expect
the whole world to be civilised and living a peaceful
way in accordance to democratic principles. One
would expect governments to protect their citizens
and offer support for the citizen's needs. Furthermore,
you would expect that maintaining human rights
is a norm of for each and every country.
Wake up dear brothers and sisters! Across the
globe there are injustices happening. The media
in the West focuses on certain countries and shares
the terrible news of murder, violation of human
rights and torture with the whole world watching
the news on their television screens. However,
the media forgot India. The newspapers overlooked
the Sikhs being raped, tortured and illegally
detained in Indian prisons. The news-broadcasters
turned a blind eye to Sikhs facing death sentences
in the "largest democracy" in the world,
the country which we would have loved to call
our "home country."
Wake up dear brothers and sisters! Not only did
the media and western governments turn a blind
eye to the innocent Sikh men and women political
prisoners languishing in Indian jails, but also
people who claimed to be Sikhs turned their backs
on those they once considered fellow brothers
and sisters.
Those claiming to be Sikhs, living in a comfortable
home with their family around them, silenced their
ears to the cries of Sikh women being raped in
Indian jails, so that they could protect their
own security and the safety of their own family.
But who will ensure the security and safety of
our Sikh women in prisons?
Those claiming to be Sikhs, working in high-flying
jobs and driving expensive vehicles, covered their
eyes to the physical, mental and sexual abuse
inflicted on young Sikh men in Indian jails, so
that they could ensure that they could roam the
streets freely and not be scared of one day being
arrested for standing up for the truth. But who
will fight for the right to walk freely and speak
the truth without fear of persecution for the
young Sikh men in prisons?
Those claiming to be Sikhs, running Gurdwaré
Management Committees, attending political events
and meeting with influential people as the representative
of the Sikh community, blocked their conscience
from feeling guilty that while they wine and dine
with politicians, leaders and please the media,
Sikh women are being raped and tortured in Indian
prisons and their husbands are given electric
shocks and humiliated with degrading abuse.
Listen with your ears, open your eyes, and hear
your conscience!
Remind yourself of who you are, and where you
came from. You are the son and daughter of Guru
Gobind Singh jee, the brother or sister of the
four Sahibzaadey (princes) who died till their
last breath fighting to uphold truth and justice.
Recognise your identity. Don't rely on others
to be the role-model. You become the role model.
Serve the Panth, serve humanity and serve the
world. Be a Saintly Knight who draws the sword
of truth and holds the shield of justice, and
fight against oppression, injustice and tyranny.
You can help make a difference by participating
in the Worldwide Day of Protest, which is being
organised for 17 January 2006. Sikhs in cities
around the world from London, to Paris, to Toronto
and to New York are aiming on 17 January to show
their opposition to the death penalty and call
for the release of all Sikh political prisoners
held in jails in India. Support this event and
show solidarity to the cause of justice, which
our Guru not only preached but also sacrificed
themselves for.
Brothers and sisters recognise your call to the
Panth. Hear the cries of the daughters and sons
of the Panth, and realise that the Sikh woman
or man languishing in the Indian prison could
be your brother or sister. The child being illegally
detained by power-intoxicated police officers
could be your son or daughter. If we cannot help
our own people, how will we serve and help humanity?
Don't just say you are the Sikh of the Guru, instead
live the message and spread the message like a
rose flower spreads its fragrance all over the
garden.
Brothers and sisters, may a Sikh spread its fragrance
of peace, truth, and justice across the whole
world inspiring all to rise to make a better future
not just for Sikhs, but for the whole world.
|
