This year a 29-year-old Sikh leader, Amritpal Singh, is demanding Khalistan (Pure Land of Sikhs) from Indian authorities. His movement “Waris Punjab De” is getting fame among the Sikh community for getting a separate homeland for Sikhs. Although the Khalistan movement was started many times and crushed by Indian authorities this time this movement is led by a young and energetic leader who has a large number of followers and does not bother to sacrifice his life for getting a separate homeland for Sikhs. The march for the Khalistan movement is continued for many days in India and hundreds of thousands of people are participating in the march. Not only in India but in Canada, Australia, and the UK, the Sikh community is showing their demand for a separate homeland. Sikh communities are recording their march worldwide. Indian media is not giving coverage to the Khalistan movement, but it is being covered by international media and social media.
Sikh Diaspora
A large number of Indian Sikhs have migrated from their forefathers’ land to Canada, Europe, and other parts of the world. It is great for Sikh identity and culture. Operation blue star and the Sikh genocide of 184 compelled many Sikhs to leave Punjab for a better life. Therefore, Sikhs are struggling for a peaceful homeland where they can live as a nation.
Historical Background of Sikhism and Khalisa:
The word Sikh is derived from the Sanskrit word “Shishya” meaning disciple. Guru Nanak was who was the founder of the Sikh religion was born in Talwandi, a village near Lahore. He was a great Sufi saint of his time and a large number of the people of Punjab started to influence by him. At the time of Hindu- the Muslim clash, Guru Nanak gave the lesson of love and tolerance to his follower. He did not declare himself either Hindu or Muslim. He impressed his follower with his majestic poetry and his followers were called his Sikhs (disciples). He coded the famous Muslim saint, Baba Farid, in his poetry. Therefore, a large number of Sikhs attend the Urs of Baba Farid in Pakpattan every year.
Although Sikhism spread all over Punjab it did not have any political power. In the 19th century, Maharaja Ranjit Singh founded a Sikh Dynast in Punjab and its surroundings. Kashmir, Tibet Sindh, and Peshawar were also included in the Sikh dynasty. It was that time when Sikhs were the most powerful nation in the Subcontinent and a rare diamond, Koh e Noor was in the hand of Sikhs of Punjab. But unfortunately, the British army defeated the Sikhs in 1949 and occupied Punjab. During the partition, Punjab was divided into two parts and Sikh Punjab was included in India. In this way, Sikh identity became a victim of Indian nationalism.
Operation Blue Star and Violation of Human Rights:
In June 1984, the Indian military attacked different gurdwaras to capture a Sikh leader Jarnail Singh Bindranwale. Indian Army also attacked the great temple of Harmandir Singh, the Golden temple. Sikhs had a great affectation towards this temple, so they marched to save the temple from the Indian Army attack. Military action was ordered by then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. Military attack on a great Gurdwara, Golden temple was a desecration of the religious and cultural emotions of the Sikh community. It annoyed Sikhs and a Sikh bodyguard of Indira Gandhi assassinated her. After this assassination Sikhs were killed by the Indian military and radical nationalists. Thousands of Sikhs were slaughtered on the streets of Delhi. The operation continued from 1 July to 8th July. Amnesty International reported the violation of Human Rights and the Genocide of Sikhs in India. It was the worst period Punjab saw due to a military operation.
Pro Khalistan desire remerged:
Now the desire for Sovereign Sikh State has been remerged in Sikhs of India and they are demanding an independent country. The Sikh community is being united under an emerging leader, Amritpal Sing. A colleague of Amritpal Singh had been imprisoned due to which Amritpal clashed with Police demanding the release of his colleague. Amritpal and Khalistanis want Khalistan through a referendum. He was living in Dubai but after the assassination of the most famous Punjabi singer, Sidu Moose Wala, Amritpal came back to take the rein of “Waris Punjab De”.
Conclusion:
Sikhs are a unique race and religion in India. After the Blue Star Operation thousands of Sikhs left Punjab. These Sikhs are spread in different parts of the world which is a threat to Sikh identity and unity. Demanding a separate homeland is the right of Sikhs. There are many examples in history that nations got independence based on race, language, and religion. India is not a country of one religion and race. A large number of Indian Sikhs have been migrating from their forefather’s land to Canada, Europe, and other parts of the world. It is great for Sikh identity and culture. Operation blue star and the Sikh genocide of 184 compelled many Sikhs to leave Punjab for a better life. Therefore, Sikhs are struggling for a peaceful homeland where they can live as a nation. In Europe, small countries are living independently in the form of city-states. Europe has been freed from many problems after the breakage of Empires. So, a separate state of Sikhs will be in the favor of Sikhs and India itself.
FAQs:
When did operation blue star happen?
Operation Blue Star happened in June 1984.
How many Sikhs were murdered in the Khalistan movement?
About 20,000 Sikhs have been killed in the Khalistan movement.
Is Khalistan a right of Sikhs?
Yes, like other nations Sikhs also have a right to a separate homeland, Khalistan.
