How does one celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib -the Ninth Master, in these times, locked inside the comfort of our homes? World Sikh News believes that it is time to say a prayer and stand up for the rights of those who in this hour of crisis cannot make themselves heard -for food, for medical equipment, medical supplies and civil and political rights.

ASK YOURSELF WHAT GURU TEGH BAHADUR SAHIB WOULD HAVE DONE IN SUCH A SITUATION? He would have stood up for the right to food for the suffering masses, especially those dying without a nutritious meal.  With the Grace of Akalpurakh, Guru Ka Langar is going all across the world, as it should and is feeding the poor wherever the Sikhs are able to reach out.  Some of us may be overdoing it, but with the Grace of God, let us be careful and not let bravado overtake caution. To ensure that nobody sleeps hungry, we need to remind the government machinery of their responsibility.  This too is Sewa.

The great Guru laid down his life at Chandni Chowk to uphold the right to religion of one’s choice and the right to dissent. It is the duty of the Sikhs and the Sikh leadership to cry out for those in prisons, who, notwithstanding ‘social distancing’ claims and noises, are not being released from prisons. If Iran can take the bold step of releasing close to 85000 prisoners, what is stopping India from taking a step in this direction? Why is the Punjab government not making a bold announcement to this effect today or on Vaisakhi tomorrow?

Sikh bodies need to stand up for the release of all political prisoners in jails across Punjab, India and the world. All political prisoners -not just Sikhs. Civil rights activists and human rights defenders need to work with the government to provide succour, psychological and trauma relief to those in prisons, unable to handle the emotional and social stress as they are unable to meet their loved ones, nor able to attend court proceedings which could result in they being set at liberty. There is large scale stress on the families whose relatives are in prisons as they are unable to get information about their status and welfare.

The medical fraternity worldwide is waiting for a different kind of Langar from the Sikhs. It has not reached out with any demands, but I can hear the knock from a distance on Sikh doors for provision of personal protective equipment, masks, ventilators, et al. Doctors, nurses, paramedics, police, public service personnel all need relief, caring, love and support.  Let us set up emergency helplines to make courtesy calls, arrange ambulances for pregnant women, speak to children, sing songs to them and raise the morale of people in distress.

Do not worry too much about the hate that you see in social media. Do not be a party to spreading it. Ignore it totally to let it die its own death. Concentrate on spreading love, care and valuable information. Do not waste your precious moments to spread sarcasm and willy-nilly spread the dirty words and hatred-filled tweets. We will have enough time for this later.  Yet, when the crassness becomes institutionalised by the media, show it the mirror.

Let us celebrate the Birth Anniversary of Ninth Sikh Master -Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib by standing up for human rights of those who do not follow our philosophy, path or religion and for those who do not agree with our political thinking and share our financial status.

Listen to the Sloka Mohalla Ninth from Guru Granth Sahib. It refers to death as a universal truth pre-ordained for all but teaches one how to live as a humanity-loving, God-fearing person.