Vaisakhi a time to celebrate and to reflect
Focus should be on inclusion, not politics, Barj S. Dhahan says.
Dust is slowly settling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s turbulent trip to India and the diplomatic fallout from convicted terrorist Jaspal Atwal’s presence in India with the Trudeaus.
Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has finally condemned use of political violence and “all acts of terrorism in every part of the world.”
But Canadians are left with the impression of widespread Sikh support in Canada for an independent Sikh homeland carved out of India. A very small Sikh group known as “Khalistanis” use Canadian politicians and institutions to further this goal. Meanwhile, India accuses our politicians of giving tacit approval to this cadre with its tentacles into Canada’s political parties, particularly the federal Liberal party. Jagmeet Singh’s stated objective to pass a motion in parliament declaring the 1984 antiSikh violence in India a “genocide” is casting a dark cloud over Canada-India relations and risks fracturing the Indo-Canadian community.
With the upcoming Vaisakhi parades in Vancouver, Surrey and Toronto, Canadians might be wondering about the real intent behind the parades. Which politicians will be courting temple leaders and factions within the vote-rich Punjabi Sikh community?
Undoubtedly, many politicians may be reluctant to attend the parades for fear of being photographed with questionable individuals who display admiration for the Air India bomber Talwinder Singh Parmar and others who inspired the violent struggle for Khalistan.
Canadian politicians should continue to participate in Vaisakhi celebrations.
Let’s clear the air for an open dialogue: Sikhs are not terrorists. The majority of them do not want a separate homeland.
Five centuries ago, Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism, spoke against tyranny and oppression.
Courageously, he described the politics of his time “as like drawn knives, kings like butchers. Righteousness has fled on wings. The dark night of falsehood prevails, and the moon of truth is nowhere visible.” All of the 10 Sikh gurus were subversive and social entrepreneurs. They championed the ideas of one God, diversity and inclusion. They called upon all to live truthful lives marked by honest work and sharing with others in need.
“Langar” (a communal kitchen and common meal) was introduced by Guru Nanak to break down caste, creed, colour and social status barriers, and to unite people as equals. Hungry people today eat in Sikh temples from Amritsar to Abbotsford, Birmingham to Brampton, and New Delhi to New York. Sikh belief in the oneness of God and the oneness of humanity threatens power structures, whether built upon the caste system in India or on ethnic, language, race and religious superiority elsewhere.
It is important for Canadians to understand the meaning of Vaisakhi. It is a centuries-old harvest festival celebrated yearly in April bringing diverse people together. Vaisakhi became significant for the Sikhs in 1699 when the tenth guru, Gobind Singh (1666-1708), baptized five men and was himself baptized by them creating the “Khalsa” (community of the pure). The five outward symbols of the Khalsa identity represent inner strength and commitment to truthful living.
Vancouver and Surrey Vaisakhi processions are amongst the largest and most colourful in the world. All Canadians are welcome to join and enjoy Langar (free food) along the parade routes.
Like Thanksgiving Day, Vaisakhi includes charity, praying for prosperity for all, and gratitude for the harvest. Sikhs wish to celebrate Vaisakhi by focusing more on the core values of inclusion, equality, community service, and harmony, and less on the political agendas of the politicians and narrow-minded groups within the Sikh community.
We may never know to what degree Trudeau’s trip has affected Canada-India relations. But we do know Sikhs are an integral part of India as they are of Canada. Canadian politicians should continue to participate in Vaisakhi celebrations, affirm the territorial unity of India, and denounce promotion of all political violence by anyone. They should also avoid the cultural appropriation of the Sikh turban, as it is not a fashion accessory or part of a costume.
It is a sacred expression of faith and identity. Happy Vaisakhi, Canada!