Rise and Fall

Every empire has its rise and then its fall. But as it is when a young child dies, we all mourn his death as one that was premature. The Punjab empire rings of the same sentiment. Here was a great project, a masterpiece of indigenous power. A land where there was documented peace and prosperity. While all over the world there was ethnic and religious struggle, in Punjab there was peace. Here was a people constantly invaded, plundered and murdered. They rose from those ashes each time and created what was then one of the greatest, richest and most powerful Indian kingdom. The last to fall to the British because of internal treachery, some generals selling their souls for power they could not have had in the realm.

Maybe the British brought some good to Punjab. They carried on projects by the people, building canals, and introducing the railroads. They hasten the speed of industrial growth, brought with them their language which now gives our people a advantage in the global economy. They only rules Punjab for 100 years, give or take, bringing with them communications with the rest of the subcontinent. However, 100 years was not enough to dilute the Punjabi culture, which stood tall amongst foreign influences, it still stands strong and is a cultural bastion which shines in the world.

It is important as a human being, as one who values reason and rationale to look at the positives of a given historical event. Yes, it would have been great if the Sikh kingdom did not implode on itself, if it held out for some years eventually the British would become to weak to annex it with the advent of two world wars and continuing issues with its European neighbours, along side the resentment in the rest of its kingdom. But that did not happen, and history included the story of Punjab’s fall.

So I commend the improvements brought by the British, but this in no way excuses the demise its rule brought. It split the people of the land, it butchered them indirectly through partition. The British left behind only one legacy in Punjab, the division of its land. Now we may never see a united Punjab in our life time. This is the greatest sadness. A people who were always one, no matter their religion. There were Hindu, Muslim and Sikh administrators and generals. The army was multi-religious, one of the few of the time. It was a kingdom where a Sikh, which only constituted about 10% of the total empire at the time, was able to rule peacefully his people. This would only happen if he ruled justly, equally.

But the British provided a vacuum for self serving politicians like Nehru and Jinnah to put their party politics ahead of the well being of our state. They manipulated the fears and weaknesses of people in our great land, dividing them where no division existed before. they weakened our resolve to live as brothers, and made us enemies where no animosities existed.

Today we have two Punjabs, both lacking what is necessary to reach their full potential. In one case, India, it has been divided again into three separate states and engulfed by the larger presence of an Indian culture. In the other case, Pakistan, it has been engulfed by the culture of radicals and foreign elements to Punjab – such as the Taliban. In both cases Punjab would be better served as an united and independent state, independent in the sense of sovereignty or autonomy in a greater nation. In either case, it would be better than what exists today.

God willing, one day we will see a united Punjab as it was intended to exist. A Punjab where I can easily make the trip from Amritsar to Lahore.

Violence in Lahore

This is my first post for 2009. Long time coming, I know, but I hope my excuse is sufficient. I feel that what needed to be said about an united Punjab has been said here. What more can I add? I hope to add more as time goes on, but that will only happen dependent upon events or comments.

This is where I look at the recent attacks on the Sri Lankan Cricket team and the terrorist attack in Lahore. The question comes to mind, would this happen in an united Punjab? Could this type of extremism grow and prosper in a tolerant society where religion is downplayed for the betterment of a secular society. I believe so. Where an artificial nation is built for the sole purpose of creating a space for a single religion, I do not think much good comes out of it. This society lacks the dynamics a multi-cultural, or a multi-religious state fosters.

I believe the recent violence erupting in Lahore and West Punjab would not exist in its present form if it had never partitioned and Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims lived side by side not because they shared the same religion, but they shared the same culture. It would be difficult in a tolerant society for fundamentalist to gain ground. At least they would not gain ground so rapidly and appallingly as they do now in Pakistan. There would be less breathing space for such sentiments to grow as the necessity for peace amongst religious groups would require such fundamentalist to be drowned out.

Why are the Religious the most Intolerant?

The question may seem provocative, or maybe not. I guess this same question or statement has been declared many times before. I do not think it is because religion it self is intolerant, but instead that intolerant people are attracted to religion. It is easy to use religion as a facade to more disturbing things.

Once you use religion to justify terrorism, or intolerant political parties, or things like partition, it makes it harder for secularist, or moderates, to argue its irrationality. Once people associate religion to something, it takes on a aura which makes it hard for people to question openly, for they will be seen as non-religious.

My main point here though is this; that those who claim to be the ‘most religious’ are the most intolerant. That sets up a kind of issue doesn’t it? If you are religious then you are, by religions very essence, suppose to be the most tolerant of society. Every great religion, and their saints, have taught peace and tolerance. Then why is it we have these political parties (like BJP or Republicans, or the Muslim League of the past) who claim to religious, happen to be the most intolerant fear mongering institutions around? Does that make any sense? It does not to me. Why is it that moderates and secularists are the most tolerant bunch, they do a better job of following the teachings of Jesus or Guru Nanak or Krishna, or what have you, than do the religious zealots that claim to be righteous. These ‘religious’ people only inflame racial tension, cause riots, cause partitions, enforce ridiculous rules in the name of tradition, they are the most conservative when in fact these religions in their very beginning where the most radical and left leaning bodies around.

Now this is not to deride religion, or what i prefer – spirituality. But it is to say this. Be careful when a leader, or a party, or a terrorist organization, claims to represent a religion. Would Jesus support the bombing of Iraq, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some republicans make that argument. Would any of the Hindu scriptures (which talked of tolerance for those who are different well before it was written anywhere else) support those Hindu nationalist zealot parties that go around ripping down Mosques and riot in Muslim communities? Would the Sikh gurus support those men who went around killing innocent people in buses and villages? Would all those Sufi saints, the Quran, and all that is Islamic support a bunch of young men taking over hotels and killing the innocent. No, they wouldn’t.

Partition, wars, riots and the rest, they are not the result of religion. They are the result of the intolerant using religion as a tool for their own purposes. To be religious is to be tolerant and loving, nothing else.

Where would a united Punjab exist?

While we can talk about a united Punjab for eons, there has been little said on how it would exist, if at all possible. It is an important question and one that requires great consideration. Can a united Punjab exist practically, or will it only ever achieve a symbolic existence?

Let’s say that we agree on the borders of Punjab – including, in most part, today’s Punjab state in both Pakistan and India (I do not include Haryana, HP or Kashmir as some people suggest). The borders of Punjab then reflect the culture of the people; the language, the food, the arts, the heroes etc. Now, the question becomes, how is this state to exist? There are three options available. It either exists as a unity in Pakistan, as a unity in India, or as its own sovereign nation. I will suggest that the best solution would be under either India or as a sovereign nation.

A united Punjab under Pakistan would not work for one simple reason. The whole basis of Pakistan’s existence is one of religion, not culture. The theory of a united Punjab then could not work under such pretexts. The whole thoery is one of a secular culture identity – not one where religion plays a significant role in the formation of a political community. Though some may argue that Pakistan is a secular state, it is not. It was formed on the basis of protecting a religious minority. Though it has largely failed in this regard, and is now one of the most dysfunctional and poorest nations on earth. Thus, a united Punjab could not work in such a state where the equal rights in government and society must move beyond the religious paradigm.

A united Punjab under India would make more sense, but still have some struggles. India has just as many, if not more, Muslims residing in its territory than Pakistan (this also shows how dubious a need for a separate Muslim nation in South Asia was). Bringing into the fold a now predominately Muslim West Punjab will not cause great grievances to religious freedoms and rights for these people as India is, respectively, understanding of the needs of minority groups (though far from perfect). Muslim Punjabis would have an easier time getting equal rights and dignity in India than would Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan, just because of the secular foundations of the state. Secularism is the only manner to keep off extremism in its many forms – Islamic, Khalistani, and Hindu fundamentalist.

Also there are the pure economical reasons for having a united Punjab rest in India. In the modern world, the more transparent the borders the better. Being part of India would provide Punjab the necessary market (to sell, buy and receive labour from) and infrastructure to prosper successfully. India is growing, and as it moves into the future it will only do more to fight its issues with poverty and corruption (it already has made some significant gains in the past decade and will only get better). Having a strong united Punjab will provide the state an even greater say in the moving forward of India (it already has considerable weight today in major decisions in the country). One can only hope that as time progresses India does a better job of accepting and protecting its minorities – democracy is a great tool for this progression but can also be abused by demagogues and populist who rile up false fears in the name of getting votes.

Punjab existing on its own is the most romantic view, but also the most pragmatic. Punjab is a land locked state. Transportation of goods is a key in the growth of economies and nations, and Punjab lacks any ports. The traditional Punjab region has no access to sea, and the only way that would ever happen is if Punjab would invade and conquer a route to water – which is foolish. Punjab would also be surrounded by hostile territory if it ever split from both Pakistan and India. Though it may find partners who wish to gain from its strategic location, I am weary of the implication it would have in the confidence of investors looking to direct their business to Punjab. In the end I feel that a united Punjab is important for its society, for the practice of tolerance, for the dignity of its people now and the past history it holds – a united Punjab does not necessarily need a completely independent Punjab state (I know this view will upset many).

I am sure that Punjab as an independent state would have no problem raising an adequate army – as many small nations have, such as Israel or Singapore. We could develop a decent economy on our own, but progress would and most likely will be slow compared to nations like India, since Punjab would be lacking the resources and market larger nations enjoy. Agriculturally Punjab would easily be able to feed itself as it has great infrastructure (one of the best in India and Pakistan), but selling that abroad would be difficult without a proper port. There is a large amount of remittances going to Punjab which would greatly benefit Punjab, but it is not a great way of diversifying the local economy – you main export really shouldn’t be your people as immigrants. But an additional plus is that Punjab enjoys being home to two of the most important cities of South Asia – the capitals of Lahore and Chandigarh (which was made capital of East Punjab after it lost Lahore after partition. Haryana’s claim to the city is slim and it has already been accepted that Haryana will eventually find its own capital in the near future. Union Territory status of the city is actually only temporary as it has been agreed by the central and provincial governments that the city belongs to Punjab wholly.) So while I don’t feel it useful to have a purely independent Punjab, this is not to say it’s a weak state that couldn’t exist on its own two feet. The only reason I think Punjab should form as a united state within India is for the sake of faster progress.

If none of this makes sense then Punjab will only ever exist as a unity symbolically. It is sad to agree to such an existence as Punjab has always been a very autonomous and independent region. I am sure to write on this some time soon.

Embrace that which we share

Why are we so preoccupied with our differences, when our similarities are stronger? It seems to be human nature to look for what we differ in, instead of what we share. Such habits are the root of all evil.

Some people claim that the actual root of all evil is religion. But I would like to say the contrary. I have been told that the belief in God is what causes the wars, destruction and partitions we see today. This is not the case. The truth of the matter is that people, who see the differences amongst man, use God and religion as a tool for causing such disruptions of peace. All teachers of spirituality have taught the same thing, tolerance, peace and inner growth. The teachers of our time have asked us repeatedly to stop looking at the shortcomings of others, to stop believing yourself, or your people or your religion to be the superior to others. This is what the teachings of God are, that all man is the same, it is we who create false divisions.

There may be differences in culture amongst people. This is not to be avoided, as it is what makes us unique that makes this world fascinating. Religious wars have seldom ever been fought for religion’s sake. No, wars of time have been fought over different pretexts, and covered with the coating of religion to garner up the support of the masses. As the ideology of democracy is prostituted now for justification of wars, religion has been abused for ages (in fact, Alexander the Great used the pretexts of ‘democracy’ for his wars as well.)

Now are we going to say democracy is bad because it fuels war in the modern age as religion has done since the beginning of time? Never, we know that democracy doesn’t stand for such actions, but in fact is only abused as a justification for wars that are intended for reasons other than democracy. Religion is the same. Men who claim to be defenders of the faith only use religion as a tool to wage wars they have their own agendas for. Wars are fought for power, resources, revenge, wealth and what have you. But how would elites and officials ever raise up arms made of the middle class and poor with such missions? Religion is the perfect tool to do this. The same way elites and officials use secular ideologies (such as democracy) to rise up arms.

The partition follows this same route. Officials and elites didn’t see the personal power they wanted in a united India, so they used religion as a pretext for rising up for their own good. Religion is not at fault for anything, it is man. Give man a gun, and he will kill with a bullet. Give man a knife, and he will kill by stabbing. What may differ is the effectiveness of the tool but the outcome will be the same.

Once the people realize that they have been used in such manner then they will be able to see that we are no different from each other. Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims will realize what they share, rather than what they differ in. They will realize that partition was the scheme of the few, not for the benefit of the greater people. What have we as Punjabis gained from partition? Nothing at all. Before the corruption of our people we lived peacefully together.

Things can change, if we wish to change them

A visitor to this site took out some of his time to comment on a previous post I made about a Pakistani Judge who wished we fixed the mistakes of the past all sides had committed, and for that I thank him. The gentleman, by the name of Neel228, made the comment that world is round and things continue on as the same, as in that there is nothing different now and that those past evils are still here to this date. This may be true in some standard, but in general I personally believe that things can changes as long as people are educated about the possibilities.

The crimes made against Sikhs, and those made against Muslims, were propagated in many ways by misleading leaders who were selfish and maybe even misled themselves. For centuries Punjab existed as one, as a unity. What is the Punjab today? If anything it is technically incorrect to call either Punjabs as such. Neither the west or east now contains all 5 rivers, it is not the same anymore. It is our duty, as the future, to make sure that in some manner those rivers can be considered to be part of the same region, that the people who reside in each part are considered one people. There really is no difference between the east and the west of Punjabs, there never was one to begin with. In the east there are those who left their homes in the west and there are those in the west who have left their homes in the east. They lived side by side, peacefully. They built one of the greatest kingdoms ever in South Asia, the last great power to hold up against the British until trechery give her over.

Our great spiritiual leaders taught us to live as one, to love and prosper. Go to the many shrines in Punjab and you will learn that men from all religions visit them. The Golden Temple has four doors, to symbolize that all men enter as equals to the house of God (no matter what name you call Him by). It is this truth that we must bring back, no other.

The world is round, and things do change. If anything, it is time we turn back to that past and redeem it to the present.

Lets not continue the mistakes of the past

I was watching a Sikh program on the television just today where they were interviewing a influential Pakistani Judge (I am not sure what exactly his position was). He was talking about Sikh shrines within Pakistan and how he wishes to have more fluid and open borders to invite them over and more money to maintain the Gurdwaras. It was interesting as he was suggesting that the shrines in Pakistan are equivalent to Mecca and Medina for Muslims and that Sikhs should have open and free access to the country to be able to visit them (and should be encouraged to do so).

He was asked to give a final statement at the end of the interview where he stated that he wishes that the mistakes of the past should be forgiven by both sides and that into the future we can work to oppose what happen earlier for our future generations. To say the least, I was pleased to hear such things.

I have noticed that over time we are seeing more integration between both sides, especially so in Punjabi programs in both countries. Be it award shows, heritage shows and community television in the diaspora. These are only some of the signs that we are working to correct the mistakes of the past.

To add another point on which I will add another post later is that the extremism and fundamentalism that is growing in Pakistan could work to continue the mistakes of the past. With such extremism brewing in the nation and creeping out of some territories and into the Punjab I feel that those words of the Judge are losing some weight. Might we see the day that this extremism attack non-Muslim shrines, there have already been attacks on Muslim shrines themselves in Pakistan, so what is stopping them from hitting otherwise?

This type of violence will only feed communalism and hinder any progress to a more united Punjab. I wish to tell all those who propagate this terror that nothing will come of it. We are a single people in Punjab, keep your extremism to yourself.

Great Punjab

I felt that I should take the time and list out the things that make Punjab great. Its culture is great, its history is great and its spirituality is great. Those of us who are Punjabi are part of one of the world’s great cultures and peoples and we should all feel blessed to be so.

In the modern context, Punjab in both Pakistan and India serves as the bread basket of each respective state. Our jawans are the integral part of our armies, from the foot soldiers to the high command. Our intellects are pushing our nations forward. Politicians from Punjab have gone on to lead both nations. In the Diaspora, Punjabis are one of the most successful immigrant groups worldwide.

What I find more impressive is our role in world history and the development of some of the most sophisticated civilizations in the world. The Indus Civilization, one of the world’s first great civilizations, had strong roots in the Punjab region.

It was a Punjabi king, Porus, who stopped Alexander the Great in his tracks forcing his armies to turn back. [ http://www.boloji.com/perspective/190.htm ] This link takes you to an interesting article which argues that Alexander the great actually lost in Punjab, it is a very interesting and compelling read. For those history buffs out there, I highly recommend you read this; it sold me.

The Sanskrit language owes a lot of its development in Punjab which led to the writing of the great Hindu texts, the Rig Veda and Upanishads (which were also written in Punjab). Also, the Ramayana was written near present day Amritsar. The epic battles of Mahabharata supposedly take place in Punjab as well.

Punjab was home to Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It was in the Punjabi kingdom that India saw its first native modern army, equipped with some of the best weaponry and tactics in the world at the time. Punjab was the last South Asian kingdom to fall the British, only because of treachery. If it was not for selfish generals and officials the British would not have been able to beat the Punjabi army.

Many of the great freedom fighters of the Indian independence movement were Punjabi. I do not think it is entirely necessarily to list them all as they are common household names.

Punjabs role in the development of Sufism through its great poets is something to be very proud of. Also, the development of Sikhism, one of the world’s great religions, is also something that makes our region unique. This is a land that has always preached tolerance and love of all.

In terms of cultural influence, Punjab may have had the greatest impact on other areas of South Asia. Clothing (such as the Langha and Punjabi Suits), Food and Music (Bhangra) are becoming much more mainstream outside even Punjab.

The list could go on, as in the developments of medicine, science, mathematics, grammar, art, architecture and such. A quick search and some reading will only easily show how much we have to be proud of.

I feel it is really important to get all this across. In today’s media, especially Indian movies, Punjabis are made to look like uneducated buffoons. While Punjab may be a rustic region, it is not made of people who are idiots. Some of the greatest individuals have come out of Punjab and I hate it when these stereotyping label a whole community as something they are clearly not

It is also a shame that this region is now so divided. Borders and boundaries are only hindering the ability of Punjabis to further develop themselves as a people. This is why a united Punjab is important, so that we can further progress without the hindering effects of partition and false divisions.

Some social problems that have been bothering me

Sorry for the inactivity, I was out of town for the month and could not post anything new.

I have noticed on numerous occasions the great amount of attention being paid to some social problems facing Punjab. I know for sure this is relative to East Punjab, but I am not to sure if it applies the same to the West (if anyone knows then just comment).

There are two big problems which seem to be taking up the agenda in Punjab. Those two issues are of the drug problem and of the infanticide of baby girls.

The youth of Punjab seem to be selling themselves short by wasting away their lives on numerous drugs. It is also unfair to just label the youth as drug users, as many older members of the community are no better. Lives are being wasted for the pursuit and selling of drugs. If the problem is never checked the Punjab will have a future generation that will be incapable of achieving meaningful progression. Students are dropping out, families are being destroyed, relationships are being torn apart, and hard work is no longer considered an option. This issue will definitely come to haunt the region if nothing is done about it.

Sure, the government can be blamed for doing little, and it definitely should be doing more. But I put greater blame on the parents, society and the drug users themselves. If one cannot control their own impulses then what use is it to ask the government do it for us? The government can only go as far as the people want to go themselves, especially in a case like this. The government can enforce laws better, and punish those who traffic drugs, but getting the people to shun drugs will take more than just a government program.

The saddest part is this same issue seems to be spreading to the Punjabi Diaspora groups. Punjabis in the west are slowly defaming the people as whole in the same manner. For those who may think it is not a big deal, or that I have no right to slander drug users, must understand that Punjabis as a small group of people have a respectable image that can turn otherwise. Drugs and the drug trade can only bring shame to the community, this problem must be stemmed immediately before our image is tarnished and more people die.

The second problem I wanted to touch upon is infanticide (that is killing or aborting baby girls). The logic behind this act is utterly illogical. What is there to gain from doing such things? First off, such actions are strictly against the religious values of Hinduism, Sikhism and Islam. I know for sure this is a big problem in the Sikh population of Punjab (as for the others I am not to sure). It has gotten so out of hand that there is now the very true fear that these children will grow up unable to find a proper bride for themselves as there will not be enough females in ratio to males.

But aside from these issues I just do not understand how one could live knowing they have ended a life for the simple reason that that life was that of a girl. What ever God gives is good, and if He gives a girl then it is in that we should be pleased. The reasons for killing girls are many; it could be traditional thinking, economic thinking, social thinking or what have you. But this does not justify the taking away of such lives.

I am glad Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s grandparents decided, at last minute, not to kill their daughter. Otherwise that daughter would not have been around to give birth to Maharaja Ranjit Singh. I am also glad my grandparents did not decide to kill my mother, even though they were hoping for a boy, as I would not be here today. And this goes for everyone. As written in our religious scriptures, it is from women great men are born.

sorry for the little activity lately

I’ve been watching the stats for this site and the numbers have been steadily rising over the past month as this site gets better ‘real estate’ on search engines.

I am truly surprised at how many people are out there searching for something like this. It is encouraging to see how many people are interested in this issue and idea. I hope this only grows.

I really want to write about other social issues relating to Punjab, those being things like the problem of male to female ratio, drugs, and the imitation of western culture. Though I may discuss such things, the main purpose of this site is to foster debate about Punjabi unity, does it even exist? Please feel free to comment on any of the ideas written here, many of them may be flatly wrong and the only way I can know is through your opinions.

Once again, thank you for visiting this site, and I hope you make it a frequent stop.