Punjab is very interesting state of the country . Story of its valour and bravery are known since ages . What inspires me about this state is Bhagat Singh’s mountainous determination of freedom of the country & his cunning intellect at his age of just 20s. Another interesting character from the same soil was Udham Singh . What would had been the inspiration of revenge in this fellow’s mind who plotted and waited for such a long period to kill the General Diar ?
This September , when I was traveling in Punjab with my Punjabi friend from Chandigarh I tried to dwell down little deeply about the ongoing political , religious and nationalist issues .
My dear friend , initially hesitate in answering questions directly . His replies were most of philosophical and onus was on me to interpret the answer of my questions out of his philosophical & historical knowledge.
My questions were around a) Despite Punjab being the land of Guru Gobind Singh , Bhagat Singh , Udham Singh & Lala Lajpat Rai , why there had been state fan of Bhindranwale & separatist. b) what drive the separatist ideology in Punjab , how does people support it ?
c) Despite being so much hatred against Indra Ghandi after Operation Bluestar , congress has ruled the state for quite long period ? while on the counter side , BJP being a nationalist symbolism had not been able to make significant footprints in Punjab ?
d) Why Aam Aadmi Party had clean swept in recent legislative assembly elections ?
e) Was farmer agitation supported by Punjabi farmers in recent past against Modi Goverment ? was it real and grounded without influence of fanatic elements?
Through the conversation around the above basic questions, I tried to figure out an image and character of Punjab ..!
Punjab had been first line of defence for the country as and whenever Mugal & other invaders tried to invade the country in the past . To protect themselves and their families they are the one who exposed to the battle of survival. Punjabi had given befitting reply to every invader since ages.
Origin of Sikh Dharma was based on humanity and valour. “Sava laakh se ek ladaun , tab main Guru Govind singh kahlaun “. My understanding is Sikh’s guru were the messenger of how to live life in those conditions and in uncertainties of attack and war. So the crux of message was very clear that be full of humanity as life is very uncertain and short but at the same time be ready with your arms and ammunition to fight the invaders every time. The philosophy of Gurus would had been really remarkable & unique in its own sense to make balance between humanity & violence. This valour and teachings of Guru’s had percolated into the next generations there over the period . Punjabi’s feel very proud that Maharaja Ranjeet Singh was never ruled by British ruler during his tenure.
So an openness & independence in their thoughts and an unique culture of making balance between Humanity & Violence has made them unique in their lifestyle . They think beyond nationalism but under humanism . Sense of righteousness prevails in their thought of separatism because it comes under purview of humanism . They think that boundaries divides and openness connects . Guns , swords and arms are symbols of their independence as humans, by which they are still not willing to win the territories but only to protect their own pride . Despite having a huge massacre of 1947 during division of India , they live in harmony with Muslims and other religious followers as on date . Guest is God , this culture prevails in their day by day behaviour. As on today , outsiders might get hesitate in visiting Kashmir due to militancy issues but I am sure for an outsider this would not had been a case to visit Punjab during militancy in 80s . After operation Blue Star , Punjabi’s collective outrage was against Government and it’s head but not against the political parties . Still they feel that Government system driving them from Delhi is suppressing them as a ruler and mostly are not bothered much about it at individual level and they are always ready to make an collective protest against the ruler because this land’s soul is still driven by the essence and ethics of their religious gurus. I am of the view that their lifestyle and thought process of openness disconnects them from nationalism stream and as an outsider observer make them closer to separatist stream. Though there is always a thin thread for any one to prove his loyalty for soil and system , may be Punjabi’s are not as loyal to Delhi’s Government system but one can’t doubt their loyalty for their soil & soul !
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