Another Day To Learn

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh
Guru Ang Sang

You would know about Jay Hind and their sacrilegious episode on Fauja Singth, unless you have been living under the rock. Hmm, actually am starting this sort-of-article using a point which I cannot verify. The thing is many people were unaware of such a thing happening. I would try and give basic overview of what happened. Think of a online channel making daily shows (not for TV where there is censorship) who make fun of one and all because they have nothing to lose. They try to be reflective of the day to day happenings around the world and also pick on Fauja Singh ji. When they thought he was a popular Sikh, they bundled the ‘satire’ on him with references to 1984 Sikh genocide, Gujarat riots and lots of Bhangra. Sikh community noticed it (albeit a bit late) and reached out to the people. The amount of reach was beyond online activism and those people woke up and noticed. They apologized and took the video off. Well if people come to know this video is still there on other websites, it will restart the head-hunting for them.

I wonder what kind of review the people on the show go through and how good the editorial team is. Maybe their original sketch was much worse and they toned down parts of it and were happy that it is normal humor. They surely got a reaction they deserved, though late (video had come out in December 2011). Someone had shared an old video of Fauja Singh ji with the Germans (possibly as an aftermath). I liked the part where he says he is not running for Guinness. At least someone knows what he is doing.

One of my friends saw their other videos (the show’s anchor talked about how all their episodes are in the same light) and he found some which made bad jokes about women (particularly one about them being in space with men). Would the Sikhs protest seeing the bad jokes made on women? No, most would laugh along. There is a bit of feminist within me. It is like I side with anyone who is protesting for their cause. But then it makes me think, am I too unhappy with this life? Aren’t we gifted with happiness, food and shelter? Well I think we all need self respect too, among many other things. I feel that Sikhs lack respect in this world. The question is, do we deserve the respect we seek? Looking at the foul-mouthed reaction of people to the video online, I don’t think so.

We don’t let anything really pass by. And now when these people are apologizing we want to put a case on them. To make an example of things so that the coming generation of Sikhs does not suffer. We are doing a lot for the next generation. I am thinking of the legacy that has been left to us by Gurus. The time to be part of it is now. Not tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes. I was wondering before if I could have superpowers. Like a Superman, I would fight all those who pose threat to Sikhi. I would bring justice where we have no hope of one. I would sort out all issues which plague us. Then I sat down and realized, that would make me a villain in the eyes of many.

Being villain in the eyes of an individual means you have defeated the purpose. That is not what heroism is about. That is not what Sikhi is about. We are being too selfish, thinking only about our community. If we think about the world as a whole, what is wrong and what is right, we can bring much better change. For every non Sikh who makes fun of us, we have people who cut their hair and openly de-value the religion. At that point we say no we are not Sikh but Punjabi community. We go from one label to another but we can’t be selfless human beings. We are plagued by our needs and wants. And most of the times, we collectively spread this plague.

Guru Nanak didn’t belong to one community. He was there for the betterment of the whole humanity. He gave us food for thought, a purpose and helped us realize the Truth. We are again losing touch with reality. A lot of time has passed since Guru Gobind Singh left us. Guru Granth Sahib sits in so many diwans around the world, but rarely someone comes and talks to them. The attendance at Guru Sahib’s diwan has diminished for sure. I was thinking how would you define a Sikh? As a somewhat comprehensive definition, I felt maybe someone who consults Guru Sahib before every thought, decision and action. But do we do that?

No we don’t. And I feel after all those comments on FB, Youtube, hate mails and threats on phone calls. If we would do Paath of Japuji Sahib or Sukhmani, we would be forced to think… what are we doing? What are we trying to achieve and by what means?

Gurbani says :

ਤੇਰੀ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਛੋਡਉ ਭਾਵੈ ਲੋਗੁ ਹਸੈ ॥

Guru Sahib is well aware of the challenges the Sikhs will face. We will be laughed upon. People will make jokes on us, whether we do Paath all the time, do bhangra wildly at weddings, act weird after drinking or try to be brave and show anger. As a community, I don’t know what people are doing or what they should be doing. A Sikh is known only by Bhagti. It is like this little cocoon of Naam Simran and Dhyan, where we strive to be. Once inside nothing should disturb us, I hope so. I believe in Guru Granth Sahib. And if we come out pre-mature out of this cocoon, we don’t become butterflies and fly away. We suffer and die.

ਜਿਉ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਜਲ ਬਿਨੁ ਹੈ ਮਰਤਾ ਤਿਉ ਸਿਖੁ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਮਰਿ ਜਾਈ ॥੧੫॥

Yes Khalsa Ji, we are born mortals, but in Sikhi the only way to pull our plug is to pull us away from Guru and Gurbani. Don’t let anyone do that to us.

Akaal Sahai!

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Related Article:

Indian Show Attracts Worldwide Criticism for attacking Olympic Torch Bearer Fauja Singh

By: Sikh24 Editors
Source

Update: Jay Hind Offers “Unconditional” Apology

LONDON, UK (July 31, 2012) – The attack on Bhai Fauja Singh by the “Jay Hind” Show Host Sumeet Raghvan has attracted criticism by Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike living across the world. Although the show is humorous in nature, the comical depiction of Fauja Singh demonstrates how Sikhs are treated by Indian Media. For years, Bollywood movies and India soap operas have mocked Sikhs and portrayed turban wearing citizens of India as comical characters. The story was the same for “Jay Hind” in which a mockery was made of 101 year old marathon runner and Olympic Torch Bearer, Bhai Fauja Singh.

It is important to mention that the host Sumeet Raghvan used very derogatory language towards the marathon runner Bhai Fauja Singh. Raghvan goes on and states that Fauja Singh is on the run ever since 1984 and, post 9/11, he has been running from the Americans. Such jokes that equate an elderly personality with terrorism have been met with strong criticism throughout social media networks. The “jokes” are being termed racist as they are not even sparing sensitive topics such as the year 1984 that saw genocide of Sikhs throughout India, or 9/11 which saw the death of 3,000 innocent civilians at the hands of terrorists.

The YouTube footage from the Jay Hind show has been removed but the official fan page is continuing to generate rage. The host even made a comment that being operated from the United States, the TV show has rights to sue individuals in USA, Canada and England for any “hateful” comments. This is the type of hypocrisy being shown by the TV hosts who do not shy away from mocking others, but when they themselves are met with criticism, they threaten legal action.

Fauja Singh, a 101 year old Sikh marathon runner has achieved many awards and recognitions. He has served as an inspiration to many around the world. Despite being an icon of Sikhs and a public figure in many countries, Indian media has not honoured him. On top of this, the recent “racist attacks” on Fauja Singh once again demonstrate the negative propaganda being done to undermine the Sikhs.

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Related Article:

Op/Ed – Jay Hind Offers “Unconditional” Apology

By: Sikh24 Editors
Source

August 2, 2012: The Jay Hind Comedy Show staff has offered an unconditional apology for a video that made a mockery of Fauja Singh, the Sikh Olympic Torch bearer, but it seems the apology comes without fully understanding the issue at hand. It is also important to mention that the apology was tendered after Sikh Organisations, namely Navkiran Singh and Associates based in Chandigarh, have committed to file a lawsuit against the anchor Sumeet Raghvan for hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community and defaming Fauja Singh.

Jay Hind Fails to Realize the Issue with the Comedy

Although at a high level, the comedy skit shows Fauja Singh in a humorous light, the video has been termed derogatory by Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike. Apart from mocking Fauja Singh, the comedy mentions the 1984 Genocide, in an implication that Fauja Singh has been “running” ever since 1984.

Post 1984, many Sikhs had to take refuge in other countries to avoid the brutalities of the Indian Government. Over the past three decades, tens of thousands of Sikhs have been massacred causing Sikhs to flee Punjab in droves. The very mention of 1984 reminds Sikhs of the brutal days following 1984 and for anyone to make jokes about such harsh times is inappropriate.

BBC Radio Jockey Interview Leaves Jay Hind Staff Speechless

BBC host Nihal Arthanayake, a non-Sikh, interviewed the Jay Hind staff including the host Sumeet Raghvan. Fauja Singh’s personal trainer Harminder Singh was also on the show when the Jay Hind team was left speechless. The Jay Hind team was unable to respond to questions such as why they showed Fauja Singh wiping his face with his beard and how they could talk about the genocide of Sikhs in a humorous way.

At the end, the producer and the presenter resorted to saying that for their actions, they have been under attack by the Sikh community, including insulting remarks. They have perhaps failed to realize that for being in the media, Jay Hind has a wider responsibility to ensure their shows do not insult other communities. On the other hand, individuals expressing anguish are individuals alone–they do not represent the entire Sikh community.

Recording of the Interview by Nihal is available at BBC’s iPlayer.

Mockery of Sikhs — The Problem at Large

The Jay Hind producers may have been stumped by the wide criticism they received for the short segment they aired back in December. In the past, a comment by the BBC host Nihal who has played a respectable role in interviewing the staff of Jay Hind and the personal trainer of Fauja Singh, had upset the Sikh community as well when he implied that the Sikh religion was influenced by other religions. The host was also met with criticism by the Sikh community but he has since apologized and not uttered any other controversial remarks.

For the Sikhs however, this is a continuous problem being faced every day – Sikhs have continued to witness a mockery of their faith by the Indian media at a large scale. Indian movies and soap operas are notorious for insulting the sentiments of the Sikh community. Their “12 o’clock” jokes are examples of how lowly the media treats the Sikh community. In addition, the Hindutva organisations are infamous for trying to influence the Sikh religion with the beliefs of the Hindus. Such mischievous efforts have continued to haunt the Sikh community and therefore angers Sikhs across the globe.