Jarnail Singh Journalist: Sikh Folk Hero
Last week, we saw the birth of a new Sikh folk hero. I am sure the dhadhi jathas (just as Chuck D called rap music the CNN of black people, dhadhi jatha is the CNN of the Sikhs) are already warming up their sarangi and dhad.
While other commenters have suggested material reasons for the turnabout in the Congress Party’s decision, I still contend that we must celebrate the Sikh masses for galvanizing the issue. The show of force came through Sikhs and their ‘rail roko’ with the shutting down of the railroad system throughout Punjab.
Although I am well aware of the political advantages that the Akali Dal and BJP sought to gain from the issue of the Delhi Pogroms of 1984, I hope for naysayers, worst of all those within our community, that like to state “the past is the past” and “let bygones be bygones” they realize the past does affect the present and life still does reside within the Sikh masses and polity.
Our so-called “leaders” rarely lead. Throughout Sikh history, it has been the masses that have had to goad these so-called leaders. Whether it was the movement to free the Gurdwaras from British-Mahant control during the early part of the 20th century or even the Sarbat Khalsa and subsequent declarations at the Akal Takht in 1986, the Sikh masses have always been the main impetus of the Qaum. The Guru Granth Sahib is our guide and the Guru Khalsa Panth (and not individual leaders, be they SAD Presidents or Jathedars) is our temporal collective body.
In this post, I merely wish to laud the beginning of a new Sikh hero. The details of this father of two children are still coming in. He seems to be a devout Sikh man that has a genuine love for Gurbani. The love for Shabad manifests itself in the seeking of justice.
While the Indian press reports that Jarnail Singh is avoiding the media highlight, he has not backed down for the righteousness of the cause – the plight of the victims of 1984 and the impunity by which Indian politicians act. I hope there are more shoes for the Butcher of Gujarat – Narendra Modi.
As I mentioned last week, it was Jarnail Singh Journalist’s act of rebellion that sparked a larger movement – a spark of revolutionary behavior. Hopefully we will soon this play out longer in the quest for justice for the Delhi 1984 Pogroms, for gender inequality, and many of the other issues that call for social justice – both for Sikhs and beyond.
I open this post for comments and thoughts on Jarnail Singh Journalist, the making of a Sikh folk hero/shero, and thoughts or even examples in our community of rebels and revolutionaries.
6 Responses to “Jarnail Singh Journalist: Sikh Folk Hero”
Whether it was the movement to free the Gurdwaras from British-Mahant control during the early part of the 20th century or even the Sarbat Khalsa and subsequent declarations at the Akal Takht in 1986, the Sikh masses have always been the main impetus of the Qaum.
Great analysis. It is true that the impact and collective strength of the Sikh masses should never be undermined. Sardar Jarnail Singh is a modern folk hero in the vein of Dullah Bhatti. It takes courage to take a stand like that. Who knew how it would eventually play out? His professional career may have been on the line for what he did. Jarnail Singh's face should replace Che's on T-shirts throughout the world in order to symbolize standing up against injustice.
Whether it was the movement to free the Gurdwaras from British-Mahant control during the early part of the 20th century or even the Sarbat Khalsa and subsequent declarations at the Akal Takht in 1986, the Sikh masses have always been the main impetus of the Qaum.
Great analysis. It is true that the impact and collective strength of the Sikh masses should never be undermined. Sardar Jarnail Singh is a modern folk hero in the vein of Dullah Bhatti. It takes courage to take a stand like that. Who knew how it would eventually play out? His professional career may have been on the line for what he did. Jarnail Singh’s face should replace Che’s on T-shirts throughout the world in order to symbolize standing up against injustice.
[…] a previous blog, I wrote about Jarnail Singh Journalist – Sikh Folk Hero. I also mentioned about his action as an act of rebellion that needs the support and institutions […]
sat shri akal,
I want to suggestion, why we don’t move to world court. If we are not getting justice in India… we have big option for the Sikh right in the world. And whole world know what Sikh people get justice in India. World should come to know again what they have done in June & November of 1984…
sat shri akal,
I want to suggestion, why we don’t move to world court. If we are not getting justice in India… we have big option for the Sikh right in the world. And whole world know what Sikh people get justice in India. World should come to know again what they have done in June & November of 1984…
Revolution of the Sikh in the India will bring a new hope some day for the Khalistan. I wish to see their success.