Subject: Re: Recent visit of Manjit Singh GK to the UK
From: Gurnam Singh <hsx035@coventry.ac.uk>
To: kulwant dhesi <kulwantsinghdhesi@hotmail.com>; and others
"gurpatwant.pannu@sikhsforjustice.org" 
Sent: Thursday, 26 September 2013, 18:35
Waheguru ji Ka Khalsa Whae Guru Ji Ki Fateh

If any publishers feel this article is worthy, then please feel free to publish. It
represents an honest attempt to make sense of the recent visit to the UK by Sardar 
Manjit Singh GK, President of the DSGPC.
Manjit Singh GK – Friend or foe of the Panth
Dr Gurnam Singh, Coventry University, UK.
There has been extensive coverage in both the Sikh media and mainstream Indian media
about the recent visit of Manjit Singh GK, President of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara
Prabhandak Committee DSGPC. He was paraded from one TV channel to another, from one
gurdwara to another as, for some a hero and for others a villain. But what is the
truth ? 
How should we take stock of his visit. Sadly, much of the coverage has take one side
or another and there has been few attempts to offer a balanced analysis.  
It is a fact that after some 30  years of open hostility towards Akali Leaders from 
Panjab, his visit  has opened up new lines of dialogue between and amongst many 
different political persuasions within the diaspora Sikh community. Some accuse Manjit
Singh GK of being Parkah Singh Badal's stooge and his every utterance must be rejected;
for others he represents a possible way forward for the Sikhs.
As I noted during the live show on Sikh Channel, whether you agree with Sardar Manjit 
Singh GK or not, you have to give him credit for having the courage to express his 
thoughts without fear or favour. Too often our leaders speak with forked tongues and 
will say whatever they think might be popular. 
In this programme Manjit Singh GK offered a very clear vision of how to save Sikhs and
 Sikhi. By drawing parallels with the Jews, he emphasised the importance of building 
a highly educated, globally orientated nation. He also correctly identified that the
 crisis of Sikhi and Sikhs, particularly in rural parts of Panjab is as much related
 to dramatic social changes to the social, cultural and economic fabric associated
 with rapid urbanisation, globalisation and new social media as it is to the failures
 of government.    
The solution therefore is tom open our eyes to such momentous changes rather than to
 simply blame the politicians or to constantly rely on conspiracy theories. Today, 
through strengthening our existing institutions such as the DSGPC and SGPC and by 
building new progressive institutions, the Sikhs can have a real future Failure to 
do so will certainly result in the ongoing demise of a once proud people and nation.
 Today, we need to move away from Sikhs as sadhus - which is the image being promoted
 by many of the so called 'dharmic' jathebandhis, particularly those led by a baba's -
 but of humanitarians, scholars, scientists, ecologists, entrepreneurs, intellectuals,
 journalists, film makers, media personalities and peace activists. 
When you are few in number then the only way to survive, as the Jews have demonstrated
 for the past 2500 years, is to focus on quality and brain power. Rather than retreat
 to the Gurdwaras and dears, to spend every spare minute in ritualistic meditation
 sealed off from the rest of the world, we now more than ever before need to recound 
the practical example set by Dhan Guru Nanak Ji, who confronted the 'holy men' in the
  temples and deras and sites of pilgrimage, the rich and the powerful.
  Who, from Sri Lanka in the South to Bangladesh and Sikhim in the East, from Tibbet
 and China in the North to Mecca, Bagdad and even Italy in the West, he embarked on 
his own revolutionary struggle to unite humanity, to rid us of irrational superstitious
 beliefs and to bring peace and co-operation to what was and remains a divided world.
One of the most contentious issues that arose during his visit is that of Khalistan 
or an independent Sikh state in Panjab and the genocide of Sikhs which was often 
conflated with the issues of Khalistan. In one programme broadcast on Sangat TV, in
 front of a live audeince Manjit Singh GK was lambasted by Bhai Joga Singh, a long
 standing Khalistan activist.  Bhai Joga Singh's performance was commendable and he
 made a series of powerful allegations about the apparent complicity or inactivity
 of the Badal Akali dal to the plight of the 1000's of Sikh victims of state sponsored
 terrorism, of double standards in appointing Sumedh Seni as the Chief of Police in
 Panjab and of arresting and in some cases torturing anybody gursikh that has the 
courage to raise such concurs. As noted earlier, whatever you feel about Manjit Singh
 GK's own political views you have to give him credit for facing so much hostility
 with an open commitment to dialogue. He also said that whatever our political 
differences we should all come together as Sikhs when it came to Panthic Issues.
 Whether it was Bhai Joga Singh's very specific and searching questions or those from
 learned media persons, other political leaders or the general public, Manjit Singh
 GK never blinked an eyelid in responding in the fullest way possible.
   There can be no doubt that he delivered on his promise to allow ALL points of view
 to be heard with respect.
Perhaps the most significant issue to emerge was Manjit Singh total and unequivocal
 rejection of Khalistan. Manjit Singh GK's argument was simply that he did not think
 Khalistan was a major panthic issue. At first glance one might not be blamed for
 suggesting that here was prima facia evidence of Manjit Singh's being a Indian
 Government agent and an enemy of the Sikhs. How can he reject Khalistan as a panthic
 issue given that Sikhs in most Western countries have for the past 30 years been 
campaigning for the creation of  such an independent homeland? Surely, one may think,
 after 30 years of campaigning we all know what Khalistan represents ? 
 However, if you look at the situation more closely at what is a rather empty rhetoric
 of the pro Khalistan groups  and also in  the actual strength of support they command,
  a different picture emerges. Let us assume that there are 50,000 devout Khalistanis
 in the UK and a similar number in the US, Canada and the rest of Europe. 
 This gives us a total of 200,000 supporters of Khalistan. Now let us start looking
 at the picture in India. In Delhi alone there are over 1 million Sikhs and in India
 as a whole some 22 million. We all know that the demand for Khalistan in India is
 minimal. We know that because election after election Sardar Simranjeet Singh Maan
 on a Khalistan platform has done abysmally.
 I accept that the low support is partly due to media blackouts, but in todays world
 we have social media which has sparked off revolutions in some of the poorest
 countries in the world, but apparently not in India; we must ask why? 
So the question isn't whether or not Khalistan is a good or bad idea, but that very
 few people have any interest in the idea, and I suspect this is what Manjit Sikh was
 really getting at. Manjit Singh's objections to Khalistan as a separatist demand 
were very clear. What about  millions of Sikhs outside of Panjab? what about the
 immense sacrifice that Sikhs have and continue to make for India? And most of all
 in a world that is rapidly globalising and the vulnerability of minor currencies 
(See for example the Scottish Nationalists backtracking from replacing the pound
 with a separate currency) what chance can an independent Panjabi/Khalistan in such
 a turbulent economic climate. 
You see, whether you are a Manjit Singh GK supporter or not, you must accept that
 he did present some reasonable arguments and he was open to others, Khalistanis 
or not, to make their case in a democratic and reasoned way. And it is to Bhai Joga
 Singh's credit that his contribution on the programme was both passionate, evidence
 based and reasonable. Indeed, I think it is one of the best ever expositions of the
 gross mistreatment of Sikhs in India. But the prblem is that there is no logical
 connection with arguing for justice and human rights and demanding Khalistan.
 They are separate issues. The issue of human rights knows no borders and even if
 Khalistan was ever created would still exists. I think one will need to be pretty
 naive to thing that Khalistan will be some heavenly place where everybody and 
especially Sikhs is treated with respect. Perhaps we should contrast the dreams and
 aspiration that Muhammed Ali Jinnah had for the new and Independent Islamic State 
of Pakistan and the current pathetic disunited blood stained entity. What makes one
 so sure that Khalistan will not end up like that? Whether one likes it or not Sikhs
 too have their equivalent of Sunni and Shia. ALso, if one looks at the demographics
 of Panjab, then unless Khalistan will be a fascist state, how can you argue for a
 Sikh state where nearly 50% of the people are NOT Sikhs?
I know what some might be thinking, Khalistan will be a democratic state. That would
 be a good thing, but what then is the difference between Khalistan and the current
 Panjab and India; they to are notionally democratic states. Perhaps the counter
 argument is that Khalistan will be a truly democratic state. Well given the deficit
of democratic principled amongst our own 'Panthic Jathebandhis' and the terrible mess
 we see in the Gurdwara elections, I am unsure we Sikhs really know what democracy is.
 How can one have any confidence in Khalistan when even the main jathebandhis that
 support Khalistan do not see eye to eye and in some cases have hatred for each other.
 And so, faced with the prospect of a Khalistan that could end up as another Pakistan,
 Palestine, Afghanistan or Iraq, then one can understand why most Sikhs in India would
 be very sceptical of such an idea. As Manjit Singh frequently reminded us, It is 
much easier for us in the West to make these demands; after all we will not have to
 live 'Khalistan'! 
So, in rejecting Khalistan, what was Manjit Singh actually in favour of and again
 there has been much confusion about this, so here is my atemtp to capture what I 
think were his main positive suggestions:
  Let us recognise our political differences, but let us also work together
to defend Sikhs everywhere in the world on common issues, such as the daystar,
 release of political prisoners, justice for families of state sponsored terror etc.
  Let us fight for autonomy for Panjab and other states within a federal
India along the lines of the US, Russian Federation or the EU perhaps.
  Let us fight those that project the Sikhs as anti-nationalists, separatists and
 terrorists and let us remind the rest of India and the world what brave sacrificed
 Sikhs have given to fight such forces from the times of the Mughal onwards.
  Let us exploit great opportunity to make their demands of human and civil rights
 in India through the very powerful DGPC which does give us access to 150 embassies
 in Delhi and Indian Government departments.
   Let us focus on education for that is the ONLY way we can save Sikhi.
   Let us provide support for the millions of Vanjara and Sikhighar Sikhs spread
 throughout india.  They are our future.
   Let us connect and coordinate Sikh organisations across the globe so that we
 can use our collective power.
   Let us work with other political parties where it suits our electoral aims- 
politics is about power and there is very little you can do if you are not inpower.
  If one looks at these suggestion objectively, this strategy does not prevent us
 from pursuing democratically the demand for Khalistan. 
  Let me now turn to the second and linked contentions issue and that is related
 to where Baba Jarnail Singh Bhindrawala was an advocate of Khalistan. When I asked
 Manjit Singh GK this question on Sikh Channel, without hesitation he said that that
 Baba Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale never openly demanded Khalistan and that he was
 politically manipulated by the Congress, just as Sarna is trying to do today.
 The bias of his claim was that he and his father Jathedar Santokh Singh were very
 close to Jarnail Singh.  So, if it is the case that Baba Jarnail Singh did not
 support Khalsitan, what about the clear references to is in his speeches. Yes 
Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale did say was that if Khalistan was offered he would not
 make the mistake that our leaders made in 1947. But we all know Khalistan will 
not ever be offered to us! The other statement of support for Khalistan that is 
attributed to Baba Jarnail Singh ji is the a short time before the June 1984 attack
 when he said that "if the army attacks the Harimandar then the foundation stone of
 Khalistan would be laid".
  One can interpret this statement in many different ways, but most crucially, one
 needs to take into account the context. The Sikhs were demanding the Anandpur
 Resolution and the Government was dragging its heels. The morchas were in full 
and there was talk of some kind of strategic assualt on the Harimander. In this
 context, one might interpret his statement as a political or even negating ploy,
 a simply a deterrent on the basis that he did not thing the government would move.
 More controversially one could argue that the other than a few bullets Harminader,
 remained in tact although the Akal takht as we know was completely destroyed. 
I think the debate about who was to blame for the tragedy of June 1984 will continue
for ever, but what we do know is that if we are to get justice then this can only be
 possible if we work together despite our differences and to develop a common agenda.
  Manjit Singh GK is no saint, but it would be a historic mistake to not take up this
 opportunity to hold him to his word and perhaps develop a more practical strategy
 to achieve justice and yes, if you believe that this is the only solution a separate
 homeland. But too much blood has ben shed. The time is now for peace, reconciliation
 and justice.
  I think we should, as Gurmel Singh, Secretary General of the Sikh Council UK 
suggested in one of the discourses, press for a peace and reconciliation commission
 on the lines of the post Apartheid South Africa and that all political prisoners
 be released forthwith. We should also get undertakings from the Akali Dal that
 they will relentlessly pursue Sajan Kumar and the other politicians that are 
clearly being shielded by the ruling Congress Party. I certainly think the campaign
 by Sikhs for Justice to get some kind of UN recognition of the 1984 Genocide of
 Sikhs will provide impetus in this regard and we certainly should keep up this 
and other such action orientated strategies like for example the excellent work 
of the Sikh Organisation of Prisoners. 
The world has changed dramatically since 1984. The scars are still thee and will
 never go away, but our history is written in blood, but that has not prevented us
 from distinguishing bad rules from good rules. It is a fact that Guru Gobind Singh
 Ji depute his differences with Aurangzeb, did welcome the attempts by Bhadur Shah
 for reconciliation. After the annexation of the Panjab by the British, the Sikhs 
did loyally serve the British Empire and following the partition and communal pogroms
 Sikhs have to some extend made their peace with Muslims in East Panjab.  At a time
 where the Prime Minister of India is a Sikh, the Army Chief of Staff is a Sikh, the
 Chief Minister of Panjab is a Sikh it would be a grave mistake to not capitalise on
 this.
 We may never get another opportunity and perhaps the only solution left for
Sikhs will be to scatter themselves across the globe and become permanent refugees. 
Yes, the choice is not perfect, but I think Manjit Singh GK visit has opened up new
 possibilities which we should seize with both hands.
Guru Fateh and Bhul Chuk Maff
 Dr Gurnam Singh
Coventry University
Email Gurnam.khela@gmail.com
-------------------------------------
"Recognise the Human Race as one" 
Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666 – 1708)
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Subject: Re: Recent visit of Manjit Singh GK to the UK

 From: gurmukh singh [mailto:sewauk2005@yahoo.co.uk] 

Sent: Friday, 27 September 2013 5:11 AM

To: Gurnam Singh; kulwant dhesi; Akhand Keertani Jatha Italy; Amarjit Kaur Belgium;
 Etc.
 Waheguru ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

 Interesting analysis Dr Gurnam Singh ji. 
 I think we should keep an open mind about the issue of "Khalistan", which to my
 mind, is symbolic of the wrongs (real or perceived) suffered by a people over a 
long period of time. And symbols, like a nation's flag, can be very powerful.
 My suggestion always is to ring-fence the issue of "Khalistan" when discussing 
progressive Sikh activities in the diaspora.
 Manjit Singh GK is articulate and would have "offered a very clear vision of how 
to save Sikhs and Sikhi."  He also heads a powerfull Sikh body with vast resources 
in a city with Sikh widow colonies where the 1984 criminals are roaming free. 
 He has a vision and a mission, and is in a position to lead. 
 That is good.  Let us wait and see how he and his team performs at ground level
 in the next few months.
 If the wrongs suffered by the Sikhs, as the most patriotic Indian community are 
real, then the first move for reconciliation must come from Indian politicians and
 Sikh Indian leaders- like Manjit Singh GK. 
 All other suggestions and solutions in your thought provoking article can be taken
 as read.  In fact, my strong impression is that diaspora Sikhs are already getting 
their act together and moving in the right direction.  It is the non-action of SGPC
 or, even that of DSGPC that concerns us sometimes. 
 I am copying to Jarnail Singh the mild mannered journalist who was compelled to
 make a symbolic gesture when he could no longer stand the evasive stance of a senior
 Indian politician. 
 It may be that in due course he can report back Manjit Singh GK's performance in 
office.
Regards 
Gurmukh Singh
-------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: Recent visit of Manjit Singh GK to the UK
 Respected well-wishers of the Sikh Nation spread all over the world,
  All the Sikhs residing in different countries should unite and work together for
 retrieving our past dignity and glory. Though late by 65 years, if JEWS could get
 their Independent State of Israel, why the Sikhs can’t get their Punjab State as 
it was earlier snatched by the British Rulers on 29th March 1849?
  Please do spare about a hour and view & listen to all the Links below and provide
 your feedback to the Sikh Federation (UK) and extend your cooperation.
 At the same time, UK Sikhs could have also questioned ‘GK’ what was his view in
 respect of SGPC Resolution passed on 9th March 1946 for the establishment of a 
SIKH STATE, what has he done to assist the Sikh victims of 1984 as well as to seek
 justice ? Has he read views of BJP LK Advani’s views reg. attacking Darbaar Sahib
 Complex in June 1984 and now Narendra Modi’s action against the Sikhs in Kuchchh
 in Gujarat and killings of Muslims in 2002 ?? 
What has been his reaction when The DSGMC President Prahalad Singh Chandoke had
 honoured Jagdish Tytler in 2004 even when he was facing proceedings before the 
Nanavati Commission? Their joint Photograph could be seen in the Book: “When a 
Tree Shook Delhi: The 1984 Carnage and its Aftermath” by Manoj Mitta & H. S. Phoolka
 (Edition 2007)
 With best wishes,
Gurmit Singh (Sydney – Australia)
-----------------------------------
Subject: Re: Recent visit of Manjit Singh GK to the UK
 Gurfateh to All Brethren
 There is one thing commendable and must be appreciated that Khalistan protagonists
 welcomed discussion and dialogue. If we really think that we have substance and
 element then we must engage in open discussions and dialogues as true descendants
 of Guru Nanak. As far as Dr Gurnam Singh's article is concerned the core issues and
 wider strategic events unfolding have been ignored. 
 Punjab Is In Storm's Eye. Dialogues and Discussions in Gurudwaras and Panthic
 platforms should become order of the day and lifestyle of Sikhs worldwide. 
Talk,
Talk about RSS, Talk about Arya Samaj, Talk about Wahhabis. 
 Regarding Sikh Prime Minister; Very soon Gangu's family will drop him.
 Regards
Arwinder Singh

      (Be a part of healthy debate. AmarJit Singh Chandi)