simmal tree's photostream

Singh Sahab Giani Gurbachan Singh Ji 20.7.2010
Jathedar
Sh. Akal Takht Sahib
And the Respected Jathedars of other Takhts

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh.

Since November 1984, with the blessings of the Guru, I have been vehemently pursuing the cases relating to the Sikh Genocide. I have been pursuing these cases since the past 26 years and during this period I have not charged any fee for the cases or taken any kind of a donation. In 1985, I was paid a meager amount of Rs. 15,000/- by DSGMC and after that since 1986 till today, I have neither received any money from the Gurdwara Committee, nor from any other organization for these cases.

It is very unfortunate that certain Sikh leaders of Delhi, under a deep rooted conspiracy to shield the guilty Congress leaders have started a campaign to malign me. They are alleging that I have been paid crores of rupees and I am not following these cases in the interest of the community, but solely for my own personal benefit.
Now, when these cases have reached their peak and Sajjan Kumar is badly caught and strong proofs are emerging against Kamal Nath, at this delicate moment, they have intensified their campaign to malign me so that the support I get from the media and the legal circle is adversely affected. The conspiracy is to involve me in defending myself against this malicious propaganda and hence distract me from these cases.

I have always given more importance to the cases of 1984 Genocide over all my other cases. When Sajjan Kumar’s cases have reached their peak, I have been devoting all my time only to these cases. The conspiracy is to distract my attention at such a critical juncture.
Like other Senior Advocates, I could have also made a lot of money by devoting all my time to my commercial practice. But instead of making money, I preferred to take up this social cause as my moral obligation. Not only did I put my practice at stake, but also my life by facing the perpetrators of the Genocide head on, all by myself.
I have never accepted any security for my protection. Justice Ranganath Misra had ordered the Police to provide me with security, but I refused to accept the offer. I was of the view that if I keep gunmen around me for my protection, it would demoralize the victims. With what face would I ask widows of victims to not get scared and to testify fearlessly. My strength was that I would stand alone, without any outside support. That is why since 1985 I would go everywhere to courts and relief camps, all by myself on my motorcycle. This is what boosted the morale of the victims and demoralized the other side. Following my example, many young boys and girls and retired army officials started visiting relief camps by themselves. They even started visiting areas of Bhagat and Sajjan Kumar. I was happy that my decision to not accept security proved to be correct.

In 2004, during my debate with Jagdish Tytler on NDTV, when he threatened to kill me, I was offered VIP security by a senior officer who told me that the President of SGPC and the Chief Minister of Punjab have written a letter to the PM, Dr. Manmohan Singh stating that I be given security and hence PMO issued orders for my security. I again refused to accept any security. This was again a delicate moment when the cases were about to reopen and the Nanavati Commission report was due for submission. The officer while leaving said that he salutes me and that even though I have refused security, he would on his account carry out full investigation as to who and from which quarter do I face danger. Thereafter, I kept receiving calls from the Home Ministry enquiring if I have changed my decision but I told them that my decision was final. I write to you today to impress upon your goodself that not only have I not been concerned about money but I have also endangered my life time and again for the cause.
Despite my having done so much, all of a sudden certain Sikh leaders are making false and malicious allegations against me. Is this justice? Having fought for justice for the victims of the 1984 Genocide for the past so many years, today I appeal to you for justice for me.
This scheme of making allegations of personal benefit emanated after my debate with Tytler on NDTV in 2004. Tytler alleged that I have taken enormous sums of money for these cases and it is only for making money that I have conspired against him. He further stated that the whole Sikh community is with him, it is only Phoolka who is against him.
When after this interview, journalists approached Tytler for material and proof substantiating his allegations, he could produce nothing. I have filed a case of defamation against Tytler in Ludhiana. This had become a thorn in his paw. He was desperately seeking for help to substantiate his claims. It was at that time that the then President of DSGMC, Prahlad Singh Chandoke came to his rescue. Chandoke started claiming that I had taken Rs. 50 Lakh from the DSGMC for these cases, though this was completely false and I had never accepted a single penny for these cases. But because he was the President of DSGMC, some people believed him. I have narrated this whole episode in detail in my book, “When a Tree Shook Delhi”.

A while later when Tytler’s case again came into the limelight, another Sikh leader, DSGMC’s ex president, Avtar Singh Hit started making similar allegations against me.
Now when the noose has tightened around Sajjan Kumar’s neck, the present president Paramjit Singh Sarna and his brother Harvinder Singh Sarna have taken it upon themselves to make these false allegations against me. They have continuously started alleging that I have taken Rs. 1 crore 9 lakh from the Gurdwara Committee. On 17th July 2010, Saturday I met both brothers in an office of the DSGMC. When I demanded from them proof of making such baseless allegations against me, Harvinder S. Sarna profusely insulted me. He shouted, making rude comments against me and used very offensive language and threatened me. He also said, and I quote, “Yes I have said it. Do whatever you can. I will expose your bad deeds before the whole Sangat.” His language was so offensive that had I not walked out of there, in a few moments he would have started hurling abuses at me. What has upset me all the more is that his episode happened in the presence of a Senior Advocate, KTS Tulsi.
I write to you today with a plea that your goodself may ask for an explanation from any leader who claims to have proof against my integrity and ask for any of such material to be placed before you. I will answer.

It appears that the conspiracy is to divert my attention from Sajjan Kumar’s case and other 84 cases and I spend all my time and attention in defending myself against these allegations. At this crucial juncture, even the slightest oversight in the cases could have disastrous consequences.
I am conscious of the fact that my decision would have an adverse impact on the cases, but my hands are tied. Since the past 4 days I have been in such mental turmoil and pressure that I have not been able to concentrate on the cases at all. If this state of affairs continues, the cases may have an adverse impact and hence I write to you with an appeal that in these circumstances it is not possible for me to continue with the cases. An alternative arrangement be made and a decision be rendered at the earliest so that the community’s interest does not suffer.

I am even more upset with these allegations as I usto respect Paramjit Singh Sarna. My association with him started in 1995 when he played a positive role in HKL Bhagat’s case. My disagreement with Sarna started in 2008 on the issue of the 1984 cases only. When the key witness in Tytler’s case, Giaani Surinder Singh retracted his statement in court, he was given a plum posting of the Head Granthi in Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib. Later in 2008, he gave a true statement against Tytler to the CBI and said that his life was in danger. He went to America because of this danger and made an application for leave for a year to Sarna. Sarna refused to accept his application, despite much persuasion. In the end, Giani Surinder Singh had to return in January 2009 so as to save his job. When he came back, Sarna made it a point that he was not deputed in any Gurdwara and was forced to stay home. Many people attempted to persuade Sarna to not do this, but he paid no heed. Finally, he was deputed to Majnu Ka Tilla Gudwara, out of all Gurdwaras in Delhi, which was in Jadish Tytler’s area. There he usto face daily and repeated threats which took a toll on his health and in June 2009, at a fairly young age of 60 he passed away. Tytler’s case was yet in court and was extremely weakened by Surinder Singh’s untimely death. Tytler presented an affidavit in court, purportedly from Surinder Singh stating that he had been pressurized by Phoolka to make a false statement against Tytler. Tytler’s whole game plan was to malign and control me, but with Wahuguru’s grace I was saved.

Tytler had complete support of these people and so I was disappointed with Sarna but there were no fights. However, when I prepared and asked them to file a case against Kamal Nath, Sarna instantly flared up.
At this crucial juncture when Sajjan Kumar’s case has reached its peak, I am extremely saddened by Sarna’s false allegations. When some journalists approached Sarna and asked him for receipts and bills for the Rs. 1.09 crores, he immediately altered his stand and stated that this money is the administrative expense that they have incurred during the course of the Nanavati Commission. Phoolka was the in charge and he had commissioned this unnecessary expenditure, even though nothing fruitful came out of the Nanavati Commission.

All of Nanavati Commission’s expenditure was done by the Gurdwara Committee, but none of this money and not a single rupee spent was on my account. Besides, this expenditure was done only till 2003, after which no money at all has been spent. Why is this expenditure suddenly being brought up after 7 years? In these 7 years, Sarna would have praised me many a times but when Sajjan Kumar’s case has reached its peak why is he suddenly lamenting over expenditure?
Sarna also states that nothing has been gained from the Nanavati Commission. It is only after the Nanavati Commission that cases against Sajjan Kumar and Tytler have been reopened; Tytler was forced to resign from a Ministerial post; the Government had to shell out a compensation of over Rs. 717 crore for the Riot victims. Maybe all these achievements may not have been in Sarna’s personal interest and benefit, but are they not in the interest of the community? This is for your goodself to decide.
In conclusion, with utmost sincerity, it is my respectful submission that I have not charged any fee in any of the riot cases. I have spent all my life for the cause and endangered my life in the process. I have fearlessly faced powerful leaders such as Bhagat, Sajjan Kumar and Tytler. Despite having done so much, I have never expected any reward. I have not accepted any political position or any other benefit. But today I am being repaid by having to defend and protect myself against false allegations leveled by Sikh leaders on my integrity?

In these 26 years, many organizations and people have attempted to offer me a lot of money to help the cause, but I refused with humility and have always said that I do these cases following my inner conscious that tells me to raise my voice against the atrocities faced by the Sikh Community. Particularly during my visits abroad, I was offered a lot of dollars and pounds out of a feeling of helping the cause. In order to raise public opinion for the cause, I have visited other countries about 25 to 30 times. It was only 3 times out of these, once to LA and twice to Vancouver, that I have accepted flight tickets for my visit, the rest have all been on my personal expense. Having to hear all these malicious and degrading allegations has adversely affected my inner conscience.

I earnestly request you to ask the whole Sikh community that whosoever has ever given me any money for the cause should come before you and disclose the same so that the truth can be ascertained once and for all. At the same time, all those who have been refused by me to accept any sum of money must also come before your goodself and explain how despite their persuasion, I refused their offers.

In this fight for justice, I have never had any expectations from these Sikh leaders. I have always stood against the perpetrators of the crime alone and have the resolve to do so in the future as well, however I feel that I do not have the conviction and the strength to be fighting the leaders of my own community in addition to the Congress leaders. These leaders claim that I am fighting these cases for my personal benefit. Even after hearing all these allegations, if I continue with the cases, I am fearful that the common man is going to get the impression that I am continuing the cases for my own personal interests.

These allegations have disturbed me so much that I have been spending sleepless nights and have been unable to prepare properly for the cases. If these circumstances continue, I will be rendered incapable of working on the cases and the cases would hence suffer. I am therefore constrained to request your goodself to kindly take a timely decision on the matter and make alternative arrangements for another lawyer. At this critical juncture, even a mere delay of a few days can prove to be disastrous for the cases. I assure you that till such alternative arrangements are made, I will continue with the matters and not let the cause suffer, whatsoever may be my mental state of mind.

Yours sincerely,

(Harvinder Singh Phoolka)
Senior Advocate

vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ki fatheh!

hi flickr :)

i've been spending too much time on twitter and facebook and they're kind of distracting and flickr is my roots... so i'll be back... first i have to get a camera. any recommendations on a dslr camera that's also good for video?

this picture was taken by either tejbir singh or tanvir singh so credit to them. i cropped and edited it a little in photoshop.

this picture captures perhaps the best day of the last three, if not the last eight years of my life.

i have done things, AFTER receiving khande-ke-pahul in 2001, that would be embarrassing for criminals and people with sick minds, let alone a gursikh. people would definitely - not probably, definitely - stop communicating with me and stop being in my sangat if they knew what kind of mind i have, and what kind of thoughts i have, and what kind of actions i've done even after receiving khande-ki-pahul. i have a lot of skeletons in my closet.

holding on to those secrets, and holding on to the past history of what you've done is not only hurtful to your mind, but to your soul. the recognition of death should be like a sword above your head. when there is a sword above your head, you always remember death and stay focused on your path. however, holding on to the memories of your past failures and never allowing yourself to grow beyond them is like a sword under your chin. when the sword is under your chin, you cannot move forward. you are always stationary. you do not make any progress. you are always terrified. you are not self-aware, you are self-destructive. you are not tyaar-bar-tyaar, you are always in chinthaa. you are not honest, you are secretive, hiding the real you.

people have expectations of you, but they depart from you disappointed because you can't keep promises and aren't around for them when they need you. and all of the expectations you had for yourself also remain unfulfilled. living this sort of lifestyle can give you depression, social anxiety, and cause you to be unreliable, emotionally unstable and insecure, which also creates constant frustration for your family and friends. standing still instead of progressing, you are constantly ravaged by your punj vikaars. a person holding on to their past kurehits and not getting pesh, not standing in front of guru sahib to accept and acknowledge them, is a person choosing to live two lives - the actual life that guru sahib has seen you live (having been next to you at every moment) - and the fake life you project to society. this has been my situation for many years.

it's really hard to face society. it's really hard to face guru sahib. and sometimes we are most afraid of facing ourselves. it's really hard to see who you are and who you have been. for so many years i held on to the skeletons in my closet. on the day this picture was taken, july 9th, and since then, i've started to throw them out. it's only been a few weeks. some of them return occasionally to scare me, and i realize that this is a constant battle, but up until now i was just running away from the battle crying and hiding in a cowardly manner; and meanwhile everybody in my social circle still thought i was a gursikh fighting my vikaars... no. i was a hypocrite. a fraud. a disappointment to myself and guru sahib. i have been a "simmal tree" for almost nine years. i'm still a "simmal tree" and trying to change. but instead of running away from my vikaars i am going to confront them. instead of hiding them i am going to expose them and acknowledge i have excessive kaam, krodh, and ahankaar. i'm sure i have lobh & moh but they are dormant. the other three are out of control. and if i don't start fighting, it's over - i am over - especially after this last chance that guru sahib has given me, which i know i really didn't deserve (but guru sahib is sooooooooooooo forgiving).... i have no choice but to fight. if i don't fight i'm gone. my soul will dry up and this jewel of a life will be gone in vain. i have to fight. now, i'm no warrior. i'm not tyaar bar tyaar. it's 6:00am and i'm writing this post before doing my nitnem. i'm still struggling. but instead of hiding, i am going to be vulnerable and upfront. instead of faking, i will be myself - whether it's impressive or disgusting. instead of hiding it, i am facing it. instead of getting beaten lying down, i've stood up, licked my wounds and pulled out my sword. my hands are quivering but i want to fight. i might lose some peoples respect. i might lose many things. this battle is so difficult i might even lose my mind. so be it. better that, than lose my sikhi.

vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ki fatheh!

ੴ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਹ ॥
ਅਥ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਨਾਮ ਮਾਲਾ ਪੁਰਾਣ ਲਿਖਯਤੇ ॥
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਭਗਉਤੀ ਜੀ ਸਹਾਇ ॥ ਪਾਤਿਸ਼ਾਹੀ ੧੦॥
ਦੋਹਰਾ ॥
ਸਾਂਗ ਸਰੋਹੀ ਸੈਫ ਅਸ ਤੀਰ ਤੁਪਕ ਤਲਵਾਰ ॥ ਸੱਤ੍ਰਾਂਤਕ ਕਵਚਾਂਤਿ ਕਰ ਕਰੀਐ ਰੱਛ ਹਮਾਰ ॥੧॥
ਅਸ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਨ ਧਾਰਾਧਰੀ ਸੈਲ ਸੂਫ ਜਮਦਾਢ ॥ ਕਵਚਾਂਤਕ ਸੱਤ੍ਰਾਂਤ ਕਰ ਤੇਗ ਤੀਰ ਧਰਬਾਢ ॥੨॥
ਅਸ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਨ ਖੰਡੋ ਖੜਗ ਤੁਪਕ ਤਬਰ ਅਰੁ ਤੀਰ ॥ ਸੈਫ ਸਰੋਹੀ ਸੈਹਥੀ ਯਹੈ ਹਮਾਰੈ ਪੀਰ ॥੩॥
ਤੀਰ ਤੁਹੀ ਸੈਹਥੀ ਤੁਹੀ ਤੁਹੀ ਤਬਰ ਤਲਵਾਰ ॥ ਨਾਮ ਤਿਹਾਰੋ ਜੋ ਜਪੈ ਭਏ ਸਿੰਧ ਭਵ ਪਾਰ ॥੪॥
ਕਾਲ ਤੁਹੀ ਕਾਲੀ ਤੁਹੀ ਤੁਹੀ ਤੇਗ ਅਰੁ ਤੀਰ ॥ ਤੁਹੀ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨੀ ਜੀਤ ਕੀ ਆਜੁ ਤੁਹੀ ਜਗਬੀਰ ॥੫॥
ਤੁਹੀ ਸੂਲ ਸੈਹਥੀ ਤਬਰ ਤੂੰ ਨਿਖੰਗ ਅਰੁ ਬਾਨ ॥ ਤੁਹੀ ਕਟਾਰੀ ਸੇਲ ਸਭ ਤੁਮਹੀ ਕਰਦ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਨ ॥੬॥
ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਅਸਤ੍ਰ ਤੁਮਹੀ ਸਿਪਰ ਤੁਮਹੀ ਕਵਚ ਨਿਖੰਗ ॥ ਕਵਚਾਂਤਕ ਤੁਮਹੀ ਬਨੇ ਤੁਮ ਬਯਾਪਕ ਸਰਬੰਗ ॥੭॥
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਤੂੰ ਸਭ ਕਾਰਨ ਤੁਹੀ ਤੂੰ ਬਿੱਦਯਾ ਕੋ ਸਾਰ ॥ ਤੁਮ ਸਭ ਕੋ ਉਪਰਾਜਹੀ ਤੁਮਹੀ ਲੇਹੁ ਉਬਾਰ ॥੮॥
ਤੁਮਹੀ ਦਿਨ ਰਜਨੀ ਤੁਹੀ ਤੁਮਹੀ ਜੀਅਨ ਉਪਾਇ ॥ ਕਉਤਕ ਹੇਰਨ ਕੇ ਨਮਿਤ ਤਿਨ ਮੋ ਬਾਦ ਬਢਾਇ ॥੯॥
ਅਸ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਨ ਖੰਡੋ ਖੜਗ ਸੈਫ ਤੇਗ ਤਰਵਾਰ ॥ ਰੱਛ ਕਰੋ ਹਮਰੀ ਸਦਾ ਕਵਚਾਂਤਕ ਕਰਵਾਰ ॥੧੦॥
ਤੁਹੀ ਕਟਾਰੀ ਦਾੜ੍ਹ ਜਮ ਤੂੰ ਬਿਛੂਓ ਅਰੁ ਬਾਨ ॥ ਤੋ ਪਤਿ ਪਦ ਜੇ ਲੀਜੀਐ ਰੱਛ ਦਾਸ ਮੁਹਿ ਜਾਨੁ ॥੧੧॥
ਬਾਂਕ ਬੱਜ੍ਰ ਬਿਛੂਓ ਤੁਹੀ ਤਬਰ ਤਰਵਾਰ ॥ ਤੁਹੀ ਕਟਾਰੀ ਸੈਹਥੀ ਕਰੀਐ ਰੱਛ ਹਮਾਰ ॥੧੨॥
ਤੁਮੀ ਗੁਰਜ ਤੁਮਹੀ ਗਦਾ ਤੁਮਹੀ ਤੀਰ ਤੁਫੰਗ ॥ ਦਾਸ ਜਾਨ ਮੋਰੀ ਸਦਾ ਰੱਛਾ ਕਰੋ ਸਰਬੰਗ ॥੧੩॥
ਛੁਰੀ ਕਲਮ ਰਿਪ ਕਰਦ ਭਨਿ ਖੰਜਰ ਬੁਗਦਾ ਨਾਇ ॥ ਅਰਧ ਰਿਜਕ ਸਭ ਜਗਤ ਕੋ ਮੁਹਿ ਤੁਮ ਲੇਹੁ ਬਚਾਇ ॥੧੪॥
ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮ ਉਪਾਵਹੁ ਜਗਤ ਤੁਮ ਤੁਮਹੀਂ ਪੰਥ ਬਨਾਇ ॥ ਆਪ ਤੁਹੀ ਝਗਰਾ ਕਰੋ ਤੁਮਹੀ ਕਰੋ ਸਹਾਇ ॥੧੫॥
ਮੱਛ ਕੱਛ ਬਾਰਾਹ ਤੁਮ ਤੁਮ ਬਾਵਨ ਅਵਤਾਰ ॥ ਨਾਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਬਉਧਾ ਤੁਹੀਂ ਤੁਹੀਂ ਜਗਤ ਕੋ ਸਾਰ ॥੧੬॥
ਤੁਹੀਂ ਰਾਮ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨ ਤੁਮ ਤੁਹੀਂ ਬਿਸ਼ਨ ਕੋ ਰੂਪ ॥ ਤੁਹੀਂ ਪ੍ਰਜਾ ਸਭ ਜਗਤ ਕੀ ਤੁਹੀਂ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਭੂਪ ॥੧੭॥
ਤੁਹੀਂ ਬਿਪ੍ਰ ਛਤ੍ਰੀ ਤੁਹੀਂ ਤੁਹੀਂ ਰੰਕ ਅਰੁ ਰਾਉ ॥ ਸ਼ਾਮ ਦਾਮ ਅਰੁ ਡੰਡ ਤੂੰ ਤੁਮਹੀ ਭੇਦ ਉਪਾਉ ॥੧੮॥
ਸੀਸ ਤੁਹੀਂ ਕਾਯਾ ਤੁਹੀਂ ਤੈਂ ਪ੍ਰਾਨੀ ਕੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਨ ॥ ਤੈਂ ਬਿਦਯਾ ਜਗ ਬਕਤ੍ਰ ਹੁਇ ਕਰੇ ਬੇਦ ਬਖਯਾਨ ॥੧੯॥
ਬਿਸਿਖ ਬਾਨ ਧਨੁਖਾਗ੍ਰ ਭਨ ਸਰ ਕੈਬਰ ਜਿਹ ਨਾਮ ॥ ਤੀਰ ਖਤੰਗ ਤਤਾਰਚੇ ਸਦਾ ਕਰੋ ਮਮ ਕਾਮ ॥੨੦॥
ਤੈਣੀਰਾਲੈ ਸ਼ਤ੍ਰ ਅਰਿ ਮ੍ਰਿਗ ਅੰਤਕ ਸਸ ਬਾਨ ॥ ਤੁਮ ਬੈਰਣ ਪ੍ਰਥਮੈ ਹਨੋ ਬਹੁਰੋ ਬਜੈ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਨ ॥੨੧॥
ਤੁਮ ਪਾਟਸ ਪਾਸੀ ਪਰਸ ਪਰਮ ਸਿੰਧ ਕੀ ਖਾਨ ॥ ਤੇ ਜਗ ਕੇ ਰਾਜਾ ਭਏ ਦੀਅ ਤਵ ਜਿਹ ਬਰਦਾਨ ॥੨੨॥
ਸੀਸ ਸ਼ਤ੍ਰ ਅਰਿ ਅਰਿਆਰ ਅਸਿ ਖੰਡੋ ਖੜਗ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਨ ॥ ਸ਼ਕ੍ਰ ਸੁਰੇਸਰ ਤੁਮ ਕੀਯੋ ਭਗਤਿ ਆਪੁਨੋ ਜਾਨ ॥੨੩॥
ਜਮਧਰ ਜਮਦਾੜਾ ਜਬਰ ਜੋਧਾਂਤਕ ਜਿਹ ਨਾਇ ॥ਲੂਟ ਕੂਟ ਲੀਜਤ ਤਿਨੈ ਜੇ ਬਿਨ ਬਾਂਧੇ ਜਾਇ ॥੨੪॥
ਬਾਂਕ ਬਜ੍ਰ ਬਿਛੂਓ ਬਿਸਿਖਿ ਬਿਰਹਬਾਨ ਸਭ ਰੂਪ ॥ ਜਿਨ ਕੋ ਤੁਮ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰੀ ਭਏ ਜਗਤ ਕੇ ਭੂਪ ॥੨੫॥
ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਸ਼ੇਰ ਸਮਰਾਂਤ ਕਰਿ ਸਿੱਪਰਾਰਿ ਸ਼ਮਸ਼ੇਰ ॥ ਮੁਕਤ ਜਾਲ ਜਮ ਕੇ ਭਏ ਜਿਮੈ ਕਹਿਯੋ ਇਕ ਬੇਰ ॥੨੬॥
ਸੈਫ ਸਰੋਹੀ ਸ਼ੱਤ੍ਰ ਅਰਿ ਸਾਰੰਗਾਰਿ ਜਿਹ ਨਾਮ ॥ ਸਦਾ ਹਮਾਰੇ ਚਿਤ ਬਸੋ ਸਦਾ ਕਰੋ ਮਮ ਕਾਮ ॥੨੭॥
ਇਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਨਾਮ ਮਾਲਾ ਪੁਰਾਣੇ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਭਗਉਤੀ ਉਸਤਤ ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮ ਧਿਆਇ ਸਮਾਪਤਮ ਸਤੁ ਸੁਭਮ ਸਤੁ ॥

Your Sikh community says, "Yes, master, I am a nuisance. I am a threat. Yes, minister sahib, I am a "keshadhari Hindu." I am a fanatic. I am a terrorist. I am an extremist. Yes, inspector sahib, I am third-class. I am irrelevant. I am a trouble maker. I am a criminal. Yes, Bharat Mata, I am a corpse. I am a joke. I am sorry for being a Sikh in India. Here is my face, give me your foot. I surrender."

This is what we have become. We have become slaves to the perpetrator. We are so afraid, we are shaking in our boots.

We tell each other, "No, son, don't speak at the rally. You'll never get a visa to India." "No, daughter, don't say Khalistan slogans, you'll be on the police's blacklist."

We tell each other, "Stop supporting terrorists. Bhinderanwala was partly to blame. Why did they hide in Harimandir Sahib?"

We tell each other, "It has been 25 years. Forgive and forget. What is past is past. Even the victims have moved on."

We tell each other, "The PM is Sikh, Sikhs are in Bollywood, what more do you want?"

We tell each other, "You live in comfort in Canada - don't make problems for those in Punjab. Just keep quiet."

This doesn't come from Hindus or Muslims or Christians - it comes from our OWN community. Our parents, aunts, uncles, leaders, speakers, scholars and representatives.

All of these comments are the persistent self-deprecating lies of SLAVES. And we tolerate it.

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Tell that to the father whose 16 year old son was shot at point-blank range walking to school.

Tell that to the mother whose two infant children were thrown from a second story apartment by a rioting mob.

Tell that to the wife who was raped by 9 mobsters while her husband bled to death in the next room.

Tell that to the daughter whose father had his eyes pulled out in police interrogation.

Tell that to the son whose mother committed suicide instead of losing her dignity to the police.

Tell that to the granthi singh who was dragged half-alive through the streets from an army vehicle.

Do they care who the PM is? Are their children any less addicted to drugs because a Bollywood actor played a caricature version of a Sikh? Does the election of any Sikh politician put the perpetrators of 1984 in jail? The more things change, the more they stay the same. The victims only want justice.

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Sikhs were the defenders of the oppressed -- the peacekeepers, humanitarians, and activists. Now it's 2008 - how many of us are role models, and how many of us are cowards?