A Tale of a Sikh’s Shoe: From Rebels to Revolutionaries
I know many will object to this post and ask how does a shoe bring justice to the thousands that lost their lives in 1984? My reply – it doesn’t.
But what it does do is highlight the farce that calls itself Indian justice.
Earlier this week, I wrote about Sikh outrage against the Congress Party’s continuance of giving electoral posts to genocidal murders. While I still hold my claim of an independent position against Parkash Badal, the Akali Dal, and the BJP’s opportunism and the Congress Party’s celebration of impunity, the action of journalist Jarnail Singh warrants commentary and analysis.
In a recent conversation with a friend, I was discussing the topic of ‘universal languages.’ Our discussion did not center on the Biblical story of Babel nor on how English is increasingly becoming the lingua franca of the world. Rather, we were discussing how the language of the Holocaust has now become ‘standard’ to measure ethnic cleansing and genocides in the world. Every conflict is talked about as a ‘holocaust’. Earlier this week, I also engaged in this when I referred to the events in Delhi 1984 as Sikhs’ Kristallnacht. I would argue that shoe-throwing has also become part of the globalized ‘universal language.’ Although in Punjabi culture and even in the Sikh tradition, shoe-removing, shoe-beating, and shoe-throwing has had long-standing significance, since that fateful day when the Iraqi journalist threw his shoes in an act of protest against George W. Bush (I blogged about it here), the act of defiance has been celebrated and utilized against Chinese Premieres and even Iranian Presidents.
The latest incident comes at the hands (or rather the shoe) of Jarnail Singh. At a press conference, Jarnail Singh, a seasoned journalist, hurled his shoe at Home Minister P Chidambram as a protest. Jarnail Singh had asked the Home Minister how Jagdish Tytler, a well-known mass murderer and inciter of the Delhi Pogroms in 1984 against the Sikhs, had been given a clean-chit by the CBI and was being endorsed by the Congress Party. After Chidambram’s dodging of a direct answer, Jarnail Singh flung his shoe stating, “I protest.” You can view the press conference below:
Colleagues of Jarnail Singh have described him as:
But Jarnail Singh’s colleagues and fellow journalists say that this was totally uncharacteristic. A veteran of almost two decades, Jarnail Singh is presently covering the defence ministry and the Congress party. He had earlier covered the HRD ministry, home ministry as well as the environment ministry. Those who know him say that Jarnail is a sober, seasoned and balanced journalist. His friends say that in his personal life too, he is very disciplined. He does not drink or smoke and is an out and out family guy. Deeply religious, he is married and has a son.[link]
While the throwing of the shoe will not bring justice to the victims of the pogroms, it will bring renewed highlight to the travesty. Even now, some are reporting that the action may force the Congress Party to take action:
Jarnail Singh’s sneaker might have missed P Chidambaram, but it might hit Jagdish Tytler. The Congress on Tuesday was wondering whether it should take a fresh look at the nomination of Jagdish Tytler from Delhi north-east, as a Shoegate-hit ruling party weighed the cost of being insensitive towards an issue that continues to agitate Sikhs, particularly in Delhi and Punjab.[link]
Some bloggers are even asking:
I do not care how many innocent people might have died as a result of the actions Mr. Tytler is alleged to have committed. The answer to that question involves a burden of proof which is beyond the ken of an average person. The question I want an answer to is this: How many people did you save, Mr. Tytler? You were an important leader of the ruling party at the time and your clout is such that the Congress even today feels obligated to give you a ticket.[link]
Jarnail Singh has since been released, heralded as a hero, and even seen Sikh organizations promising to raise Rs. 200,000 in his name. As for the man in the spotlight, he has stated:
“Mera tarika galat tha, par issue thik tha (My method was wrong but not the issue I raised). I have nothing against any political party or the Congress. The incident should not be exploited to raise passions,” said Jarnail, who has been working with a Hindi daily newspaper for the last 10 years. [link]
While there is much debate about the outcome of a single act of defiance, it seems to me that Jarnail Singh belongs to a long-standing Sikh convention. Rebellion. Punjabi culture in general, but the Sikh tradition in particular breeds rebels. The famed Sikh historian, Rattan Singh Bhangu, in his Prachin Panth Parkash writes that a Sikh can only be a “Baghi” (rebel) or a “Badshah” (Sovereign). We have had many Baghis, like Jarnail Singh, in our history.
One of the most famous accounts is that of Bhai Bota Singh and Bhai Garja Singh. In the face of a genocide and Mughal official, Zakria Khan, ordering of the complete extermination of the the Sikhs, the two brave Sardars took a stand.
On a small bridge near Tarn Taran on the road to Lahore, the two Singhs, as true Badshahs claimed sovereignty for the Khalsa and as sovereigns charged taxes for those wishing to pass over the bridge. In a note to Zakria Khan, they wrote:
Chitti likho Singh Bota, Hath hai sota (Letter written by Bota Singh with staff in hand)
Aana laiya gaday nu, Paisa laiya khota (One aana for a cart, one paisa for a donkey)
Aakho Bhabhi Khano nu, Jo aikhai Singh Bota (Tell Bhabhi [Zakria] Khan, what was said by Bota Singh)
Zakria Khan did not hesitate to send his full military might against these two Singhs. The Singhs fought valiantly and gave up their lives.
Some may think that the Singhs fought in vain – how could 2 Sikhs stand against the might of the Mughal military; the same questioners may ask the same thing about Baba Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale – how could 40 Sikhs stand against the might of the Indian armed forces in 1984; they may even ask what Jarnail Singh, the journalist, could have hoped to achieve by hurling his shoe against the impunity of the travesty that calls itself ‘Indian justice’?
Those asking such questions miss the point. Rebels stir the conscious of a nation. It was Rosa Parks’ rebellion that Martin Luther King Jr. and many others used to stir a revolution. Bota and Garja Singh were rebels that stirred the conscious of the Sikh revolution that would succeed in ending Mughal and Afghan rule in Punjab. The 40 Sikhs at the Battle of Amritsar in 1984 stirred the conscious of future generations of Sikhs. Hopefully the rebellious act of Jarnail Singh the journalist can stir the hearts of the Indian middle classes that condone the impunity of Indian State terrorism. At the least let it stir the conscious of the Sikh masses to continue to fight against impunity and call for justice.
Rebellion is the first step, but it is not enough.
We, as Sikhs, are a collective of rebels; we seek to become a nation of Guru-facing (Gurmukh) revolutionaries.
47 Responses to “A Tale of a Sikh’s Shoe: From Rebels to Revolutionaries”
right on! Congress,Akalis,SGPC are all in it together to pull the wool over everyone's eyes. ITs all about the Kursi.
right on! Congress,Akalis,SGPC are all in it together to pull the wool over everyone’s eyes. ITs all about the Kursi.
Could the author (or anyone else) please explain why Jarnail Singh has his head bowed down in one of the pics, and why [in the same pic] Chidambaram has his hand over Jarnail Singh's turban? It looks as if Chidambaram is making a "noble" gesture to "forgive" Jarnail for hurling the shoe. Is this correct? Does anyone else read the pic like this?
Could the author (or anyone else) please explain why Jarnail Singh has his head bowed down in one of the pics, and why [in the same pic] Chidambaram has his hand over Jarnail Singh’s turban? It looks as if Chidambaram is making a “noble” gesture to “forgive” Jarnail for hurling the shoe. Is this correct? Does anyone else read the pic like this?
RiG,
Watch the video. It is the angle and the moment of the picture. Watching the video will change your opinion.
Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler have withdrawn their candidacies to the Lok Sabha elections. This is a success and was a result of the energies and activism of the Sikh community. Exemplified by Jarnail Singh's hurling of a shoe, the act inspired Sikhs in Punjab to shut down the railways. While their withdrawal is still a far cry from justice, it should give inspiration to many cynical Sikhs. The events of 1984 are NOT forgotten.
RiG,
Watch the video. It is the angle and the moment of the picture. Watching the video will change your opinion.
Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler have withdrawn their candidacies to the Lok Sabha elections. This is a success and was a result of the energies and activism of the Sikh community. Exemplified by Jarnail Singh’s hurling of a shoe, the act inspired Sikhs in Punjab to shut down the railways. While their withdrawal is still a far cry from justice, it should give inspiration to many cynical Sikhs. The events of 1984 are NOT forgotten.
He is a hero a true sikh.He has what all the others have failed.After his shoe attack the issue became alive on media.The stories of victims 1984 riots is now covered in media.to save its face congress has to withdraw the tickets of tytler and sajjan kumar
SO on point jodha. i feel like there is a tendency amongst some segments of our community to steer clear of this tradition of rebellion and prefer to "play it safe", "blend in" (even if keeping our articles of faith, blending in in other ways), "not make trouble." but that's not what being a sikh is about. it's actually the opposite: to put yourself on the line in the name of justice.
i totally agree the the shoe-throw of jarnail singh (and of the iraqi journalist last year) is an act of righteous rebellion that highlights injustice.
He is a hero a true sikh.He has what all the others have failed.After his shoe attack the issue became alive on media.The stories of victims 1984 riots is now covered in media.to save its face congress has to withdraw the tickets of tytler and sajjan kumar
Justice? How old are you guys? Once you start making money in the real world, you'll realize that there is nothing more important than power, prestige and accumulating more wealth. Let bygones be bygones. Kee milooga bhaagi banke?? Kee khattogey inquilab de naare maarke? Come on guys, grow up. The key to fighting injustice these days is power, wealth and connections – not swords, spears and rebellion. The more money Sikhs accumulate as a community – the less likely any Hindu is to mess with us.
That being said, Manmohana should have taken a stand on this one, instead of leaving it to the "activist groups". Absolutely ridiculous. Stand up for the people you represent instead of bowing consistently to the party-line; stand up for your convictions and faith-community Pradhan-Mantri sahib!
I Love SC,
I am trying to follow your argument. I think we have points of agreement, but I don't quite follow what you are saying.
You want people to follow their moneyed interests and Machiavellian power plays, yet you scold Manmohan Singh for not taking a principled stand. In fact according to his moneyed, prestige, and power interests, his silence is exactly what he should be doing. Death of self and conscious follows from those that place material interests above principles.
I agree that swords and spears may not be the first weapons of choice, but from the example of Jarnail Singh, even an ill-aimed flying shoe can hit its mark.
Mew,
Money interests and Machiavellian power plays need NOT be bifurcated from principle and conviction. With money comes influence, with influence comes power. In my opinion, it wasn't the shoe thrower that caused these dastardly politicians to withdraw their candidacies, it was the wealth and influence of Sikhs in Delhi i.e. Ranbaxy et al. who banded together against the Congress leadership. Since when has any Indian political party listened to the voice of the common man? Or even their respective constituencies? The only thing politicians listen to are votes, power and their own agendas. That is why we must fight using the same methods.
You and I, Mewa Sian, are on the same team. We just believe in utilizing different methods. I like what you're saying, but I think it's a little too ideal for this day and age.
Love you bro.
sonny, it was a little too ideal in the times of the Guru too. Also, I'm pretty sure they were a bit more versed in the art of war than you or I…..
I heart SC,
Challo, we're on the same team. You fight your way; I'll fight my way. Together let's do something good.
Good point about Ranbaxy though.
SO on point jodha. i feel like there is a tendency amongst some segments of our community to steer clear of this tradition of rebellion and prefer to “play it safe”, “blend in” (even if keeping our articles of faith, blending in in other ways), “not make trouble.” but that’s not what being a sikh is about. it’s actually the opposite: to put yourself on the line in the name of justice.
i totally agree the the shoe-throw of jarnail singh (and of the iraqi journalist last year) is an act of righteous rebellion that highlights injustice.
Mewa, your answers are great bro. I love the tone in which you've responded to the above posts, too. Without anger, hate defensiveness or being condescending. Keep up the good work.
[pick a handle and stick to it, "I love sonny…," "romance in gidderbaha," "yellow chaddi," "I love johnny walker black," "vizio," "simple sardar proud of another," "laal chaddi." swtiching handles gets you blocked. you only get one warning before being blocked. consider yourself warned.-admin]
Justice? How old are you guys? Once you start making money in the real world, you’ll realize that there is nothing more important than power, prestige and accumulating more wealth. Let bygones be bygones. Kee milooga bhaagi banke?? Kee khattogey inquilab de naare maarke? Come on guys, grow up. The key to fighting injustice these days is power, wealth and connections – not swords, spears and rebellion. The more money Sikhs accumulate as a community – the less likely any Hindu is to mess with us.
That being said, Manmohana should have taken a stand on this one, instead of leaving it to the “activist groups”. Absolutely ridiculous. Stand up for the people you represent instead of bowing consistently to the party-line; stand up for your convictions and faith-community Pradhan-Mantri sahib!
I Love SC,
I am trying to follow your argument. I think we have points of agreement, but I don’t quite follow what you are saying.
You want people to follow their moneyed interests and Machiavellian power plays, yet you scold Manmohan Singh for not taking a principled stand. In fact according to his moneyed, prestige, and power interests, his silence is exactly what he should be doing. Death of self and conscious follows from those that place material interests above principles.
I agree that swords and spears may not be the first weapons of choice, but from the example of Jarnail Singh, even an ill-aimed flying shoe can hit its mark.
Mew,
Money interests and Machiavellian power plays need NOT be bifurcated from principle and conviction. With money comes influence, with influence comes power. In my opinion, it wasn’t the shoe thrower that caused these dastardly politicians to withdraw their candidacies, it was the wealth and influence of Sikhs in Delhi i.e. Ranbaxy et al. who banded together against the Congress leadership. Since when has any Indian political party listened to the voice of the common man? Or even their respective constituencies? The only thing politicians listen to are votes, power and their own agendas. That is why we must fight using the same methods.
You and I, Mewa Sian, are on the same team. We just believe in utilizing different methods. I like what you’re saying, but I think it’s a little too ideal for this day and age.
Love you bro.
sonny, it was a little too ideal in the times of the Guru too. Also, I’m pretty sure they were a bit more versed in the art of war than you or I…..
I heart SC,
Challo, we’re on the same team. You fight your way; I’ll fight my way. Together let’s do something good.
Good point about Ranbaxy though.
Mewa, your answers are great bro. I love the tone in which you’ve responded to the above posts, too. Without anger, hate defensiveness or being condescending. Keep up the good work.
[pick a handle and stick to it, “I love sonny…,” “romance in gidderbaha,” “yellow chaddi,” “I love johnny walker black,” “vizio,” “simple sardar proud of another,” “laal chaddi.” swtiching handles gets you blocked. you only get one warning before being blocked. consider yourself warned.-admin]
Good discussion, folks. I think Jarnail Singh Ji should have pegged this guy right in the face. Chidambaram kept on spouting off non-sensical excuses: "give the matter time", "it is out of our hands". Are you kidding me? It's been 25 years since innocent Sikhs were slaughtered in the streets of Delhi, and the perpetrators are still at large – how much more time is it going to take for the likes of Kumar and Tytler to be brought to justice?
Good discussion, folks. I think Jarnail Singh Ji should have pegged this guy right in the face. Chidambaram kept on spouting off non-sensical excuses: “give the matter time”, “it is out of our hands”. Are you kidding me? It’s been 25 years since innocent Sikhs were slaughtered in the streets of Delhi, and the perpetrators are still at large – how much more time is it going to take for the likes of Kumar and Tytler to be brought to justice?
The biggest reason of Sikhs not being able to get the justice is the fight/ confusion within the Sikh community to identify 1984 as a 3rd holocaust of Sikhs and the first message by ILoveSonnyCaberwal above is an example of it.
Take Jewish community for example, they have holocaust museums all over the world and have done everything that they can possibly do to make sure the future generations can keep the momentum going and have shown the world of the injustice that was done to them. As a country Israel is always on the offence to make sure that they never give another chance for holocaust. Not only that they have power of money but they are ready to use everything at their disposal to fight for the cause. They clearly have define the saying “If you don’t learn from the history, you are bound to repeat itself”
Sikhs on the other hand (especially, the Sikhs from India), are so ready to forgive and forget which is amazing to me. If we don’t learn from History guy, it is bound to repeat itself. It might not be as straight-forward physical attack on Sikhs, but rest assured it will be an attack on Sikh identity where the same “forgive and forget” folks will become patits (and fight for their patit causes) and try to dissolve the Sikh Identity.
The biggest reason of Sikhs not being able to get the justice is the fight/ confusion within the Sikh community to identify 1984 as a 3rd holocaust of Sikhs and the first message by ILoveSonnyCaberwal above is an example of it.
Take Jewish community for example, they have holocaust museums all over the world and have done everything that they can possibly do to make sure the future generations can keep the momentum going and have shown the world of the injustice that was done to them. As a country Israel is always on the offence to make sure that they never give another chance for holocaust. Not only that they have power of money but they are ready to use everything at their disposal to fight for the cause. They clearly have define the saying “If you don’t learn from the history, you are bound to repeat itself”
Sikhs on the other hand (especially, the Sikhs from India), are so ready to forgive and forget which is amazing to me. If we don’t learn from History guy, it is bound to repeat itself. It might not be as straight-forward physical attack on Sikhs, but rest assured it will be an attack on Sikh identity where the same “forgive and forget” folks will become patits (and fight for their patit causes) and try to dissolve the Sikh Identity.
[pick a handle and stick to it, "I love sonny…," "romance in gidderbaha," "yellow chaddi," "I love johnny walker black," "vizio," "simple sardar proud of another," "laal chaddi." swtiching handles gets you blocked. you only get one warning before being blocked. consider yourself warned.-admin]
Editor: I switch handles because I am a critical thinker – and have different opinions on different subjects. For example I am pro Sikh Sidaq (Sikh Identity), BUT not as Anti-Badal as some people on this site [you may have picked this up from RomanceInGidderbaha]. I have different life experiences than many on this site, so I just wanted to reflect that and give my 2 cents, when commenting about politics and life in Punjab.
I switch handles to promote meaningful discussion and showcase different viewpoints – without being dismissed or labelled as "this" or "that". If you read the majority of my posts, however, I think the crux has been pretty much consistent (exceptions may have occured during attempts at humor i.e. chaddi names and ILoveJW – which was designed to demonstrate how ridiculous justasikh's argument was in that respective post).
Handle switcher: I understand your motives, but we've made an administrative decision to only allow one handle per person for various reasons. You can express your thoughts in the substance of your post, just keep your handle consistent. It may limit your creativity in a way, but its a marginal limitation, you can still say what you want in your comment. The decision was ours to make, and we felt the risks of confusion and manipulation were greater than any losses. -Admin
[pick a handle and stick to it, “I love sonny…,” “romance in gidderbaha,” “yellow chaddi,” “I love johnny walker black,” “vizio,” “simple sardar proud of another,” “laal chaddi.” swtiching handles gets you blocked. you only get one warning before being blocked. consider yourself warned.-admin]
Editor: I switch handles because I am a critical thinker – and have different opinions on different subjects. For example I am pro Sikh Sidaq (Sikh Identity), BUT not as Anti-Badal as some people on this site [you may have picked this up from RomanceInGidderbaha]. I have different life experiences than many on this site, so I just wanted to reflect that and give my 2 cents, when commenting about politics and life in Punjab.
I switch handles to promote meaningful discussion and showcase different viewpoints – without being dismissed or labelled as “this” or “that”. If you read the majority of my posts, however, I think the crux has been pretty much consistent (exceptions may have occured during attempts at humor i.e. chaddi names and ILoveJW – which was designed to demonstrate how ridiculous justasikh’s argument was in that respective post).
Handle switcher: I understand your motives, but we’ve made an administrative decision to only allow one handle per person for various reasons. You can express your thoughts in the substance of your post, just keep your handle consistent. It may limit your creativity in a way, but its a marginal limitation, you can still say what you want in your comment. The decision was ours to make, and we felt the risks of confusion and manipulation were greater than any losses. -Admin
yes! more shoes will be thrown! more government buildings will be burned!
justice will be served even death will not stop us
yes! more shoes will be thrown! more government buildings will be burned!
justice will be served even death will not stop us
Sikhs in Amritsar and all over India are celebrating. Alpha and Zee's main headline is that kunjers Sajjan and Tytler have withdrawn their candidacies. This is truly a victory for Sikhdom. Well done to Jarnail Singh, and all the other collective protesters.
Jio Khalsa Panth!!!!!
Sikhs in Amritsar and all over India are celebrating. Alpha and Zee’s main headline is that kunjers Sajjan and Tytler have withdrawn their candidacies. This is truly a victory for Sikhdom. Well done to Jarnail Singh, and all the other collective protesters.
Jio Khalsa Panth!!!!!
"With money comes influence, with influence comes power."
Sounds like a old rap lyric I use to here. Money and power
have its limits I Love SC, As you can see in present condition of the
global economy. Power also has its limits where is Rome today? Where is Greece?
It is the people and their conviction in their faith and the understanding there is something above and beyond this world and while here no one has the right to restrict ones freedoms. It took one assassination with a 0.25 cent bullet to trigger WWI, it took at $5 shoe to change the minds of the congress party. You see money and power is not the key it is only the key
in societies where people have accepted $ in the place of God. India is not one of these.
“With money comes influence, with influence comes power.”
Sounds like a old rap lyric I use to here. Money and power
have its limits I Love SC, As you can see in present condition of the
global economy. Power also has its limits where is Rome today? Where is Greece?
It is the people and their conviction in their faith and the understanding there is something above and beyond this world and while here no one has the right to restrict ones freedoms. It took one assassination with a 0.25 cent bullet to trigger WWI, it took at $5 shoe to change the minds of the congress party. You see money and power is not the key it is only the key
in societies where people have accepted $ in the place of God. India is not one of these.
Tajinder said: "[Money and Power] is only the key in societies where people have accepted $ in the place of God. India is not one of these."
I hope that was a sarcastic comment, or at the very least – a poor attempt at humor.
Tajinder said: “[Money and Power] is only the key in societies where people have accepted $ in the place of God. India is not one of these.”
I hope that was a sarcastic comment, or at the very least – a poor attempt at humor.
Ibadat Gill,
Argue against please.
Ibadat Gill,
Argue against please.
good job Bhai Jarnail Singh Ji.
good job Bhai Jarnail Singh Ji.
Congress wants us Sikhs to think that withdrawal of Tytler and Sajjan Kumar from elections is a victory for Sikhs. They want us to believe that just because they will not be fighting in elections that they have been punished.
I advice all the Sikhs out there not to say things like "justice has been done" and "Sikhs have won" for we haven't gotten any justice so far, not until death sentences are issued against people involved.
Congress wants us Sikhs to think that withdrawal of Tytler and Sajjan Kumar from elections is a victory for Sikhs. They want us to believe that just because they will not be fighting in elections that they have been punished.
I advice all the Sikhs out there not to say things like “justice has been done” and “Sikhs have won” for we haven’t gotten any justice so far, not until death sentences are issued against people involved.
extreme outrage. Sajjan Kumar's brother put up by Congress.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090418/main5.h…
extreme outrage. Sajjan Kumar’s brother put up by Congress.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090418/main5.htm
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