Sikhs needs to learn from Jews how to progress in today’s world-Iqbal Singh Lalpura
Iqbal Singh Lalpura / December 7,2024
The Jewish community’s resilience and determination in the face of persecution and trauma are a powerful inspiration for the Sikh community. Despite facing numerous challenges, including the Holocaust, Jews have managed to build a thriving, influential community that is economically, educationally, and politically empowered.
The Sikh community, too, has faced its share of trauma and persecution. The Mughal emperors issued a death warrant to kill all Sikhs from 1710 AD to 1783 AD. The community suffered three massacres: Chhota Ghallughara, Wadda Ghallughara, and Operation Blue Star. After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Bahadur in 1839 AD, the British government attacked the Golden Principle of Sikh Religion, divided the community by taking over their historical religious places, and decimated them from politics.
Sikhs were used as soldiers to fight for the British in two World Wars, resulting in the loss of over one lakh Sikh lives. The division between pro-British and pro-Congress Sikh leaders further hindered united efforts to promote their religion, language, and culture. After Independence, pro-Congress leaders found themselves powerless and started agitations aimed at gaining political power. However, they were outmaneuvered by former pro-British Sikhs who knew how to please those in power.
These agitations have turned Punjab from a prosperous state into a place of agitation and economic instability. Visionless leaders have even betrayed their Guru, losing the support of the Sikh community. The leaderless and directionless community needs sincere leadership and a new vision.
The new leadership can learn from the Jewish community’s experiences and strategies to bring back the old national glory and promote the tenets of Sikhism, the religion of Angels.
Education and Cultural Preservation
- Establishing institutions: Jews have a strong network of schools, universities, and cultural institutions that promote their heritage and values. Sikhs can establish similar institutions to preserve their culture and language.2.
- Emphasis on education: Education is highly valued in Jewish culture. Sikhs can prioritize education, encouraging academic excellence and vocational training to empower their community.
- Community engagement: Jewish communities often engage in activities that promote social cohesion, such as cultural events, volunteer work, and community service. Sikhs can organize similar events to foster a sense of community.
Economic Empowerment
- Entrepreneurship and innovation: Jews have a strong tradition of entrepreneurship and innovation. Sikhs can encourage entrepreneurship, supporting start-ups, and small businesses to create economic opportunities.
- Professional networks: Jewish professionals often establish networks to support one another in their careers. Sikhs can create similar networks to facilitate mentorship, job opportunities, and career advancement.
- Philanthropy and community support: Jewish communities have a strong tradition of philanthropy and community support. Sikhs can establish similar initiatives to support education, healthcare, and economic development within their community.
Trauma Recovery and Community Healing
- Documenting history: Jews have extensively documented their history, including the Holocaust. Sikhs can document their own history, including the 1984 trauma, to preserve their collective memory and promote healing.
- Community-based initiatives: Jewish communities have established various initiatives to support survivors of trauma and their families. Sikhs can create similar programs to provide counseling, support groups, and other resources for those affected by the 1984 trauma.
- Inter-generational dialogue: Jews have encouraged inter-generational dialogue to share their history and experiences. Sikhs can facilitate similar conversations to help younger generations understand their community’s history and struggles.
Building Strategic Partnerships
- Interfaith dialogue: Jews have engaged in interfaith dialogue to build relationships with other communities. Sikhs can establish similar partnerships to promote mutual understanding and cooperation.
- Advocacy and policy engagement: Jewish communities have been active in advocating for their rights and interests. Sikhs can engage in similar advocacy efforts to promote their community’s concerns and aspirations.
- International collaborations: Jews have established international partnerships to support their community’s global interests. Sikhs can explore similar collaborations to promote their community’s global presence and influence.
Achieving Political Power in Democratic India
To achieve political power in democratic India, Sikhs can focus on the following strategies:
- Unity and collective action: Sikhs must come together, putting aside their differences, to form a united front. This collective action can help them achieve their political goals.
- Grassroots mobilization: Sikhs can focus on building a strong grassroots movement, engaging with people at the local level, and empowering them to participate in the political process.
- Strategic alliances: Sikhs can form strategic alliances with other political parties or groups, may be Bhartiya Janta Party, that share their values and interests. This can help them build a stronger political presence.
- Leadership development: Sikhs must develop strong, visionary leaders who can inspire and mobilize their community. These leaders should be committed to the values of justice, equality, and human rights.
Note: The views expressed by writer are personal. The writer is Chairman, National Commission for Minorities, Govt of India
