Amitabh and the Sikhs (OPINION)

Of some note to Sikhs, members of the Bachchan actor family has caught the fancy of the Indian press in relation to our faith. It started with Amitabh Bachchan’s blog post, where he wrote:

Abhishek shoots Bingo in the Holy City of Amritsar and his sister Shweta joins him to pay homage and prayer at the Harmandir Saheb. I wish I could do the same, but am unable to. Soon, however, I shall find the time. Or as they say in such situations, when the time comes He will call you and providence shall make the right moves and ways to permit us to do so. The Sikh blood in me beckons and I must honor it. It is rather strange, but in the last few months, my attraction and interest towards my Sikh links, attain some prominence and I feel drawn towards it. Two lockets of Guru Nanak ji, Sacche Padsha, are constant on my neck – one a gift from Guddi Behenji my cousin, daughter of my Mother’s elder sister Gobind Masi ji and the other I found as a gift to me that was lying on my desk unnoticed. Now they both adorn my neck. Raj Kanwar, one of Abhishek’s early directors had presented me with a photograph of all the Guru ji’s and they now are with me at my place of worship. I seek blessings from them each morning – ‘Sat Naam Wahe Guru’ , I recite, as I touch their images and a strange sense of fulfillment and strength consumes me.[link]

Now many Indian press website running headlines – “Big B Feels Drawn Towards Sikhism” and the like. New headlines are now coming out about his son – Abhishek – performing seva at Darbar Sahib.

While many Indians and even some Sikhs are impressed, I can’t help but have little care. Maybe it is because of long allegations in the community that have never been dispelled.

Eye-witnesses and victims of the Indian government-sponsored pogroms in Delhi and throughout North India in 1984, have talked about Amitabh Bachchan’s role in inciting violence against the Sikhs. Groups such as the AISSF and Sikhs for Justice have attempted to press charges against the actor:

The AISSF on Friday demanded a probe into the role of film star Amitabh Bachchan for inciting violence against Sikhs following the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In a documentary released here today, Babu Singh Dukhia, a resident of Tirlok Puri in Delhi, claimed there were eyewitnesses that saw Amitabh Bachchan inciting mobs to avenge the death of Indira Gandhi. The documentary says Amitabh Bachchan was clearly involved in inciting mobs and was heard saying “khoon ka badla khoon” at the funeral of late Indira Gandhi.[link]

One Sikh blogger has even dedicated a website to expose Amitabh’s role. While other Sikh bloggers see historical conspiracies, I am rather skeptical of such easy interpretations. Still Amitabh’s new film, where he will be starring as a top lieutenant to the “Butcher of Punjab” (KPS Gill) leaves little to speculate where his loyalties lie. I care less for any “Sikh blood” or any interest towards “Sikh links.”