It is a matter of pride for the Sikhs and a tribute to the vision of Guru Gobind Singh Ji who established the Brotherhood of Khalsa (Sikhs) on this day in 1699 to defend the religious freedom of every Indian that Vaisakhi is now being celebrated at No. 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister’s residence, and also in the House of Commons, the British seats of power, as a mark of respect for the Sikhs and their Gurus. This just shows how far the Sikhs have come in Britain and beyond against all odds. I believe the best is yet to come for the world from a liberated community.
The story of Vaisakhi has its origins well before 1699 and began with the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, who was publicly beheaded by Aurungzeb, the then Mughal ruler, for refusing to give up his faith. Regrettably, Aurungzeb had become overzealous with his blend of religion and wanted to force everyone to convert to his faith or face dire consequences. Guru Tegh Bahadur stood up for the rights of Hindu Pundits who were being threatened with conversion and stood for their right to worship as they deemed fit. The Guru challenged the emperor to convert him first before the Hindu Pundits. As Guru Ji refused the emperor’s demands, he was beheaded for his act of defiance and the Guru’s martyrdom unleashed anger amongst his followers and they did not rest until they brought an end to the tyrannical rule in India. It just goes to prove that the Sikh Gurus were amongst the first to champion human rights.
It is worth remembering that Sikhs took up arms, not to oppress or suppress anyone, but to liberate those who were being oppressed and suppressed in the name of their religion. They took up arms to defend and not to conquer anyone. As a matter of fact, the Sikhs do not convert anyone with coercion or by false inducement of a place in a “Heaven”. Instead, they respect every religion of the world and, as per the teachings of their Gurus, believe religious labels are not important but that deeds and actions of an individual are more important to the Almighty. Those who shared his beliefs were encouraged to have an easily recognisable identity, a beard and turban, to show what they stood for and Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s ethos of human freedom.
More importantly, before Guru Gobind Singh Ji Indians used to die for India and after Guru Gobind Singh Ji, they now fight to defend India. I shudder to think what would have been our future and that of mankind without the Brotherhood of the Khalsa. Sikhs are the epitome of self-sacrifice for others. Next time you see a Sardarjee, please do give him a hug and give a thought as to why he decided to wear a beard and a turban for India and mankind.
