Ref.No.:709/SNO/2004. Dt.9.7.2004.
From
Sikh Nation Organization
3, Bindra Colony, Patiala, Punjab, India
Fax: +175-5002488. E-mail: sikhnationorganization@gmail.com
To
Mr. George. W. Bush,
Hon'ble President,
Govt. of U.S.A
Fax:001-202-456-2461 E-mail: president@whitehouse.gov
Sub: Hate crimes against Sikhs due to mistaken identity, and ban on wearing of religious dress and signs, i.e. 'Dastar' and 'Kirpan', by Sikh Children, in schools in France.
Sir,
First of all, Sikh Nation Organization, shares your concern regarding Global threat of terrotism to Humanity and World Peace, and want to assure all Nations of the world that, Sikhs living in your country, and other countries of the world, can lay their lives for Humanity, wherever life and peace is threatened, at the hands of terrorism.
You will appreciate, that unless a brief introduction is given regarding Sikh Nation, it is very difficult for anybody to understand, the depth of commitment of Sikhs to their faith and Humanity.
Guru Gobind Singh, tenth master of Sikhs, transformed nature and peace loving, selfless, saintly followers, of Guru Nanak, the founder and first Guru of Sikh, into self sacrificing 'saint soldiers', to protect the whole Humanity, as one 'Family of GOD'. He named them 'Khalsa', the pure, and proclaimed them as 'Army of GOD'. Therefore, a true Sikh, is duty bound and committed to the soul, to upkeep human values and to protect these, without any discrimination, even at the cost of his or her life.
Guru also gave them a distinct identity, with a purpose that, they could be easily recognized, by who so ever in need of their help, any where in the world. With a vision into the future, he combined the properties International Army and Red Cross, both into one, and laid the foundation of the concept, of today's United Nations Organization.
The foremost part of distinct identity is, un tempered stamp of nature to a human being, i.e. unshorn hair covered by a well tied turban or 'dastar', a comb, an iron bangle as a symbol of total commitment of ones self to the commandment of Guru's teachings, shorts as symbol of high moral character and a sword to protect human rights.
Sikh history, is replete with innumerable examples, of self sacrifices for human cause. Guru Gobind Singh, founder of Khalsa, himself set the example of sacrificing, his whole family, i.e. father, mother and four sons, besides thousands of disciples to safeguard human rights, at a time, when there was no organization, even in the name, to raise its voice against Human Right violations.
Just to quote a few examples, from reported history, of self sacrifices to protect the rights of weak and oppressed, at the hands of tyrant and fanatic Muslim rules of India at that time, and that Sikhs never compromised their high ideals and identity.
Guru Teg Bahadur, ninth Guru of Sikhs, himself went to embrace martyrdom at the hand of emperor Aurangzeb, at Chandni Chowk, Delhi to protect the Human Rights of Hindus, who were asked, to either convert to Islam or to die, by the emperor.
Younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, at the tender age of 9 and 7 years, preferred to be bricked alive, at Sirhind, as per the edict of Suba Wazir Khan but stood firm on Sikh tenets.
Bhai Taru Singh, preferred to get his skull chopped of, rather than allowing cutting of his hair.
Sikh women, withstood inhuman torture, to the extent of being garlanded with body parts of their slaughtered infants but refused to compromise Sikh Identity and Idiology.
Sikh men, women and children, did not remove their hair and turbans, when tyrant rulers, Mir Manu and Zakaria Khan, ordered 'Sikh Hunting' and when each Sikh Head fetched silver coins from the rulers.
Banda Singh Bahadur, a Sikh General, who established first Sikh Empire, when arrested refused to compromise Sikh tenets, even at the cost of inhuman torture, unheard of in civilized history, when yet pulsating heart, of his freshly killed tender aged son, was pushed onto his mouth. He remained unshaken, when he was made to die, by getting his flesh and muscle mass pulled from bones, bit by bit.
Guru blessed Khalsa, to establish rules of kindness, equality and justice, as per the eternal Word of GOD, after defeating the forces of evil. History witnessed such a rule, during Khalsa Empire, from Kashmir to Kabul and Sutlej to Sind, from 1977 to 1839, under the command of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, under supreme command of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Akal Takhat. Within short time, Khalsa not only defeated the aggressors, but also conquered and ruled their country, Afganistan, with iron hand, under a Sikh General Hari Singh Nalwa, to teach them a lesson, to be remembered by their generations to come.
The British recognized, valued and respected, the commitment of Sikhs to their Faith, and got in return, the gallant warriors for humanity, to fight for British in Second World War. They created world history, by registering themselves ,as one of the finest gallant warriors, in the war of Saragarhi. French also witnessed, these turbaned warriors fighting, for the liberation of their mother land.
British understanding, went to the extent, that British did not object to hoisting of Khalsa Flag, along with Union Jack, in battles won by Sikh Regiment. That too happened at a time, when at home, the Sikhs were on the forefront, in the Freedom Struggle to liberate India from British rule, and contributed maximum sacrifices.
What is happening in France, is unjust and in violation to Human Right of personal liberty, which as per internationally accepted principles. Must not be curtailed unless in an emergency, when there is threat to state security or public order.
French law violate various UN Conventions on; Human Rights, Elimination of Intolerance and Discrimination based on religion and Belief, and Elimination of Discrimination against Women, and Children. [High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations at Geneva, vide its letter G/SO 215/1 FRAN 2832 dated 30 April 2004, has acknowleged that the petition, datd 17 March, submitted under1503 Procedure, by Sikh Nation Organization, against Govt. of France has been examined and admitted. A copy of the same has been sent to Government of France for comments, and a summary of it submitted to the Working Group on Communications and the Commission on Human Rights for consideration.]
In recent past, some terrorist organizations, by their mindless and highly condemnable actions against Humanity, like that on 11th Sept.2001 in U.S.A. have sowed the seeds of mistrust, causing adverse effects on World Peace and amity, in Multicultural International Society.
Sikhs, have been innocent victims of hate crimes, due to mistaken identity, because of some dress similarities, like headwear, with Muslims.
To make Sikh Identity, more distinct on first look, at working, educational and public places, Sikh, men, women and children, throughout the world, are being advised to wear, on Every Thursday, �Khalsa i Dastar�, i.e. Golden Yellow Headwear, the only color which is not worn by Muslims.
It is high time, that World Nations recognize, the value of friendship of Sikh Nation, which provided 2. 5 lacs gallant warriors during 2nd World War to fight for World Community and could prove an asset to International Community, in today�s atmosphere, when threat to World Peace at the hands of terrorism, is taking serious proportions.
Sikh Nation Organization, requests your good self, to address to the problems related to Sikh Identity in your country, and to use your good offices with Government of France, not to ban religious symbols and headwear, which are dearer than life to the Sikhs.
Your gesture, will help to create, a long lasting mutual trust and understanding, to earn unflinching support of Sikh Nation, which has the quality of repaying back the friends in need.
Hoping for a just consideration and action. It will be highly appreciated if the action taken in this regard is intimated.
With deep regards.
Your's sincerely
(Dr. Manjit Singh Randhawa)
President,
Sikh Nation Organization
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