Iqbal Singh Lalpura
An open letter to Sikh brothers and sisters from Iqbal Singh Lalpura
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa! Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
I’m writing to bring to your attention a pressing matter that affects our Sikh community. As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, it’s clear that our community faces significant challenges that demand a revitalized approach.
Currently, our community lacks effective leadership, is divided, and plagued by infighting. Political leaders have exploited Sikh sentiments for personal gain, misusing religious places and funds. Sikhs are being emotionally manipulated for political power. Our institutions have failed to promote education, employment, and have become corrupt. The Sikh intelligentsia has been marginalized and excluded from decision-making processes.
Sikhs were created as angels by Guru Nanak Dev ji in the 15th century. As saints and soldiers, they were meant to meditate on one God, serve, love, and protect society. Angels always live with honor, which is their character.
However, the Sikh community is at a critical juncture, facing significant challenges that require a revitalized approach. The only cause for this failure of leadership is the fall of the Lahore Sikh Empire.
To revive Sikhism to its past glory and motivate Sikhs to remember that they are angels and need to work accordingly, we need a strategy paper outlining a comprehensive plan to address these challenges, promoting education, unity, and collaboration, while embracing new thoughts, strategies, and leadership.
The paper generally outlines the following points, which need to be considered and discussed in detail by interested parties or groups:
Challenges facing the Sikh community:
- Lack of Effective Leadership: Sikh leaders have prioritized politics and personal gain over promoting the interests of the community.
- Decline of Sikh Institutions: Gurdwaras have become mere places of ritual or platforms for leadership, rather than centers of learning and service.
- Misuse of Gurdwara Funds: Funds meant for community development have been misused for personal gain.
- Disconnection from Sikh Values: The community has lost touch with its core values, such as service, compassion, and devotion to God.
Proposed Solutions
- Khalsa Synergy: Foster collective unity and action among Sikhs worldwide to tackle global challenges like climate change, inequality, and social injustice.
- Education and Knowledge Sharing: Establish centers of learning that focus on Sikh philosophy and modern sciences, and foster collaborations between Sikh educational institutions and universities worldwide.
- Spiritual Reawakening and Interfaith Dialogue: Promote global movements of Naam Simran, kirtan, and Gurbani studies to foster spiritual growth and interfaith dialogue.
- Community Service (Seva): Expand seva initiatives to address critical global challenges like poverty, hunger, and climate change, and strengthen the efforts of Sikh organizations by promoting collaboration across borders.
- Empowering the Youth: Provide platforms for youth to engage with Sikh history, philosophy, and values, and foster leadership skills among Sikh youth through mentorship programs and internships.
- Harnessing Technology for Collective Growth: Utilize social media, apps, and virtual communities to promote education, connect with isolated Sikh populations, and mobilize resources for humanitarian efforts.
- Gurbani Studies and Kirtan: Create digital platforms for Gurbani studies, kirtan, and seva initiatives to foster spiritual growth and community engagement.
Action Plan
- Task Force: Establish a task force to develop a comprehensive plan for promoting education and revitalizing Sikh educational institutions.
- Unified Platform: Create a unified platform for Sikh organizations and institutions to collaborate and work towards a common goal.
- Community Events: Organize community events and programs to promote Sikh values and encourage constructive efforts to promote Sikhism.
- Government and Community Engagement: Engage with the government and majority community to seek support and cooperation for reviving the Sikh religion.
Additionally, I propose the following:
- Need for an Umbrella Organization: Establish a unified umbrella organization to bring together various Sikh groups, institutions, and organizations under one platform, promoting coordination, cooperation, and collective action.
- Need for Intelligentsia: Encourage and empower Sikh intellectuals, academics, and thought leaders to contribute to the development of a comprehensive strategy for the revival and growth of Sikhism.
In conclusion, the revival of Sikhism requires a collective effort from the Sikh community, its leaders, and organizations. By addressing the challenges and implementing the proposed solutions, we can restore the Sikh community’s reputation and promote the values of Sikhism. By embracing Khalsa Synergy and focusing on education, spiritual growth, community service, youth empowerment, and technology, Sikhs can lead a global renaissance that promotes justice, equality, and selflessness.
This is my view; you may have better ideas. Let’s all join forces for this mission.
(Iqbal Singh Lalpura is Chairman, National Commission for Minorities, Government of India)
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