Gurpreet Singh: Questions for Sikh moderates who could host Narendra Modi in Vancouver

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      As Canada gears up for the first official visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi from April 14 to 16, it's looking more likely that he will go to the Ross Street Sikh temple in Vancouver during the last leg of his tour.

      This has already sparked a debate in the community as some Sikhs are planning to demonstrate against Modi, whereas Modi's supporters are excited that his critics are getting ready to organize protest rallies. Among his local opponents are both the Sikh activists and some leftists. Local Muslims and Christians are likely to join them.

      That's because Modi's Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is accused of intimidating religious minorities in India. In recent months, there has been a spate of attacks on Christians.

      Meanwhile, Modi was chief minister of Gujarat state when it experienced an anti-Muslim pogrom in 2002. Human-rights groups have alleged that he was complicit in the mass murders and in the past, he was denied a U.S. visa for that episode.

      Before his election as prime minister in 2014, Sikh settlers from the Indian state of Punjab also came under attack in Gujarat. Even otherwise, the BJP is known for its pro Hindu nation stance. Already many hawkish BJP leaders have started pressuring the Modi government to remove secularism from the preamble of the Indian constitution, creating anxiety among the minorities.

      Interestingly, the body that governs the Ross Street Sikh temple is the oldest Sikh religious institution in Canada and has a legacy of secularism. The Khalsa Diwan Society was formed in 1906 when India was still under British occupation. The society was not just established to promote Sikhism and provide a space for spiritualism, but also to encourage Indian immigrants to fight against racism and foreign rule in their home country.

      This was a time when Indians were disfranchised in Canada and not allowed to bring in their families, to discourage them from permanent settlement and to keep Canada as white man's country. The temple was a centre of political activism and did not exclude people of other faith groups. It is just a matter of fact that the majority of the Indian immigrants were Sikhs and that's how a Sikh temple became a common gathering place for everyone in the local South Asian community.  

      Hindu and Sikh activists also used its space to carry on their struggle against colonialism and racial discrimination. The principle of secularism was central to their ideology. Many of these activists became the members of the Ghadar Party which was formed in U.S. in 1913. Some prominent names—like Bhag Singh, Husain Rahim, and Taraknath Das—reflect the cultural diversity of the party.

      The Ghadar Party was a group of South Asian radicals who believed in armed revolt against the British rule and wanted to establish a secular and democratic republic. A significant number of Ghadar activists were from Vancouver and they were connected to the temples run by Khalsa Diwan Society.

      The party openly denounced religious sectarianism both in its manifesto and poetry. Members emphasized people's unity and persuaded everyone to overcome divisions in the name of castes, religions, languages, and regions of origin.

      They started returning to India in 1914 to organize a rebellion only to face the gallows or long imprisonment. Those who survived continued their mission even after India gained official independence in 1947.

      When India was divided on religious lines and Muslim Pakistan came into being, there were riots on both sides of the border. During that time period, the Ghadar activists tried to save Muslims from the Hindu and Sikh fanatics. The party president, Sohan Singh Bhakna, received death threats for doing so. Bhakna used to say that partition of the country was an assault on their ideology.

      The supporters of Hindu theocracy have been active since then. Fortunately, India chose to be a secular democracy, which ultra-Hindu nationalists have been vehemently opposed to. Today when the BJP has a brute majority, these forces have become emboldened.

      In light of the BJP's agenda and Modi's background, it is a rightful thing to ask officials of the Ross Street Sikh temple whether they will raise these issues or not. Especially given that they are the so-called custodians of an institution created by the Ghadar party. Where do they stand on the theocratic politics of Modi and his cohorts? Will the moderate and pro-India officials of the temple—who have been until now fighting against Sikh separatists—muster courage to challenge Hindu nationalism? Or will their brand of secularism go down in the history as a sham and selective?

      They can easily get away with this by arguing that Modi is an elected prime minister of India, but how will they explain their continued silence over the ongoing violence against minorities in India under the Modi government? You want to welcome him? Fine. But what is stopping you from fighting against the BJP?

      How would Ghadar activists see all this? And what would their reactions be if they were alive today?

      Comments

      19 Comments

      Amakant

      Mar 29, 2015 at 4:39am

      After reading this nonsensical article I understood why there are so many Santa Banta jokes and the saying 'its 12 o'clock'. Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism were classified as distinct religions by the British under their divide and rule policy. But they are fundamentally su=ingular in their philosophy. In fact the VHP Vishwa Hindu Parishad has amongst its founders Master Tara Singh of Akali Dal, HH The Dalai Lama and various Jain seers. Any Sikh who is anti Hindu cannot be faithful to Sikhism which was founded to protect Hinduism. By extension all Sikhs who oppose Shri Modi should be excommunicated.

      Rigid ideological dogma is Not Just in India

      Mar 29, 2015 at 6:31pm

      No doubt that this Indian PM is part of the extremist BJP ideology.

      May even be guilty and/or party to the tragic deaths of minorities in India including Sikhs. But it is up to the ICC at the Hague or the Indian Judicial System (which is a joke) to indict him.

      Can you provide proof that meets the Legal standard at the ICC in the Hague required to indict him? If not than you are simply another irrelevant voice in the wilderness.

      Also not in doubt that he is the democratic elected PM of India.

      Therefore no Country can no will they either deny or issue a Visa for a Head of State to visit.

      He is free to visit the US anytime anywhere and also the UN Assembly in NY.

      Indeed both Canada & the US welcome this Indian PM due to our national interest.

      Sikhism is not a national interest of either Canada or the US both being secular countries.

      Will Sikhs condem at the same time they condem this Indian PM the cold blooded and cowardly attack on a Women PM of India, Indira Ghandi?

      Will Sikhs condem at the same time as they condem this Indian PM the Air India otrocity carried out by their Religious Brothers and Sisters in Sikhism?

      Will Sikhs support a non violent means of advocating for their dream of a separate country in India? Regardless of the violence of the Indian Government - lessons from Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi?

      Will extreme violent Shiks stop using Canada as a base to fund raise and launch attacks either here or in India?

      Violence begets violence and the Shiks are outnumbered they represent only 1.9% of the Indian Population.

      So perhaps it's better to find a peaceful solution instead of continuing down the road of violent extinction.
      In Canada we have a rigid ideaology in some political parties including the virtual dictatorship by passing non constitutional omnibus bills and laws or did you miss that in the last decade due to looking east at Indian politics.

      Further far more civilians in the mid east have been killed and or injured due to western "intervention" Weapons of Mass Deception and the like than any Indian Government has done in the Punjab region of India.

      Canada is welcoming the Indian PM here because it's in our national interest and for the $$$ that the Corporations who influence all our Governments irrespective of political party affiliation.

      If you are without sin you can cast the first stone or look in the mirror.

      sanman

      Mar 29, 2015 at 7:10pm

      Firstly, the word "Hindu" was made up by Muslims - basically Muslims from Middle East encountered people living on the banks of the Indus river, and called them "Hindus" because of the peculiar Middle Eastern pronunciation. When Sikhism emerged, Moghuls used to refer to Sikhs as "Hindus" as well, because they couldn't be bothered to distinguish among the various non-Muslims. Modi and BJP support Indian culture, and there's nothing wrong with that. This is in contrast to the Congress which has tried to pick fights with all spiritual groups of local origin.

      Mazo

      Mar 30, 2015 at 7:16am

      Call this rant "dubious self-righteous hypocrisy" would be generous on my part.

      The principal allegations being leveled here are conjecture, hearsay and rumors. Apparently being "accussed" of something implies being "guilty" of the same crime and therefore worthy of condemnation.

      Modi has suffered such inane nonsense before with the Gujarat riots when he was CM and demonized based on perverse and prejudicial liberal activists without proof or reason. It was also blatantly shocking and perverse to see how the deaths of 60 Hindu pilgrims who were burnt alive in a locked train compartment were totally ignored - yet the reaction to that outrage received so much publicity since the "majority" of the victims happened to be "muslims".

      Apparently the great "sin" of the BJP is essentially their temerity to be "proud and unapologetic Hindus" who rightly recognize the 5000 years of Hindu culture, history and blood that forms every grain of sand in what is today defined as "India". Apparently things such as pride, self-respect and standing up for their faith, their beliefs and their traditions and culture is a "crime" in what has been farcically described as "secularism" . However, Christians running a centuries long campaign to "harvest souls for Jesus", Muslims "spreading the word of Allah" etc is all perfectly natural and accepted in "Secularism".

      Such sickening and vile double-standards have turned Indians deaf to the pretensions of outrage and dubious moral sanctimony of these so-called "activists". The Muslims and Christians can shout till they are BLUE in the face and frothing at the mouth in Vancouver - NOBODY gives 2 "paise" in India, especially not the BJP. Those who find it "uncomfortable" and feel "threatened" to live in a land with 850 million Hindus - have no reason to remain there. Nobody is irreplaceable and if the Christians feel "threatened" - nobody is holding them hostage in India . They are free to pack up and leave to any country that will take them! The Muslims have even less excuse to moan and whine - considering they were given a choice 65 years ago!

      Mister Singh

      Mar 30, 2015 at 8:37am

      Ghaddar party didn't create the Gurdwara... Get a clue. You always post articles from your communist roots. Sikhs welcome all because of RELIGIOUS reasons not because of some communist tripe you believe in...

      Mister Singh

      Mar 30, 2015 at 8:45am

      @amankant, your comment smacks of Hindi supremacist thinking. Sikhism has no roots in being created to protect Hindus. The fact that Sikhism was divinely inspired and founded by Guru Nanak should be understood.

      Sikhs aren't anti Hindu or anti anyone. We believe in human rights and equality for all. Which is why Sikhs fought for the rights of all including Hindus to practice their faith when threatened by Mughal rule.

      The person who wrote this article doesn't represent Sikhs. You should first ask him if he's a communist.

      Not a Hindu

      Mar 30, 2015 at 10:10am

      @ Mazo I'm assuming from your illogical and illiterate rant that you are Hindu yourself. If you are so intent on pushing Christians and Muslims out of India, why don't you do us all a favor and buy yourself a one way ticket back to your beloved "Hindu" motherland? This is still a majority Christian country and using your idiotic logic, you have no right to be here as well. So please hop on that holy cow of yours and ride back into your "Hindu" sunset. We won't stop you we promise!

      Shakeel

      Mar 30, 2015 at 11:16am

      Gurpreet..You guys are so perverted..,especially radicals who still are fighting violently for khalistan. You are so dump to spread violence all around and still keep on blaming other people who are doing great service to India. Its you who are fanatic minded and not Narendra Modi. May world get rid of such intolerant people.

      REhan

      Mar 30, 2015 at 11:23am

      wow...what a prejudiced article ignoring all recent developments.....yes...there were some church vandalizations...but in 4 cases it was found out to be local people throwing rocks because the church complained about the loud music...and further they were not hindus....the rape of the nun...which the whole media instantly blame don hindus,,,,was found to be from bangladeshi immigrants..again not hindu...i agree that there are hindu extremists but thinking that all christians are threatened will be an exaggeration....there were temple vandalizations in us>??..so all hindus are under threat there ??..NO....also the author tells modi believes in theocracy?...did not he hear the speech delivered by modi to the christian forum?....why did he took special interest to assure the release of the father captured by taliban?...could have easily ignored it if he was so anti christian?

      Raj Kumar

      Mar 30, 2015 at 2:19pm

      Hosting Mr. Modi at a Sikh Temple is one of the most ridiculous ideas I can think of. The Sikhs have so many outstanding issues with Mr. Modi and India that it should be unthinkable to bring him to a Sikh Temple. They could organize a reception for him at a non religious venue and then hear what he has to say; after all, he has a billion reasons to say the right thing; which, everyone in the world is waiting to hear from him.