Tag Archives: Freedom

“My definition of freedom takes account of every right mentioned in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations on December 10, 1948. I also include in this definition the freedom from sectarian blind faith. The rights and freedoms mentioned in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are the physical aspect of freedom and the freedom from sectarian blind faith is its psychological and academic aspect. The goal of physical as well as psychological and academic freedom can be reached right the way through the mysticism, that is to say the mystical experience of Ultimate Reality or the God Almighty..” – Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’

Everyone Has All the Rights and Freedom

(Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’)

Article 2

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations On December 10, 1948 has explained all the rights and freedom in its 30 points.

One and all on this planet is given the right to the entire these rights, without distinction of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

The term ‘race’ has been translated as ‘Jaati’ (जाति) in Hindi translation provided by the United Nations. The term ‘Jaati’ is often translated as ‘Caste’ in English language. The word ‘Jaati’ is more relevant than the word ‘race’ in Indian context, where the government gives special rights to people belonging to particular castes.

If any government gives special treatment to a few groups of people belonging to particular castes, tribes, race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, nation or social origin, property, birth or other status, it clearly means that such government is discriminating against people of other castes, tribes, race, colour, sex, language, religion etc. If such things happen, it is a clear case of human rights violation.

For instance, in India, there are many seats reserved for scheduled castes and tribes for Parliament and State Assemblies. When a seat is reserved for a scheduled caste in a constituency, people belonging to non-scheduled castes are deprived of their right to contest election. Similarly, if any constituency is reserved for scheduled tribes, people belonging to non-scheduled tribes have no right to contest election. If we go by words and spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, such reservation is a breach of human rights.

There is reservation in educational institutions, jobs, and promotion in jobs as well. (For details, please go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reservation_in_India). Reservation system in political field is in practice in a few other countries as well. (For details, please go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reserved_political_positions)

Furthermore, Not all countries or territories are sovereign states. A few countries are under some limitation of autonomy. A few are occupied by other sovereign states.

A person could be a citizen of a sovereign state or non-self-governing territory. He could be living in an occupied land. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, without distinction of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which s/he belongs, whether it is independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

In simple language, everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms, despite a different sex, a different skin colour, speaking a different language, thinking different things, believing in another religion, owning more or less property, being born in another social group, coming from another country, It also makes no difference whether the country you live in is independent or not.

Equal Rights for Human Beings

(Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’)

The Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says:

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Plain language version: When children are born, they are free and each should be treated in the same way. They have reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a friendly manner.

Born Free

The God (My atheist brothers would prefer the word ‘nature’ instead) has created every person free. It means every person has personal rights or liberty, as one who is not in slavery or confinement.

Equal Rights

There are many basic human rights. Every human being is entitled to all the rights, without distinction of race, colour, sex, language, religion, social origin, or other status. When we say every human being is equal in rights, it simply means that every person has every right what anyone else enjoys. A person or a group of persons could not be allowed to enjoy certain privileges. Privileges enjoyed by a certain caste or group enabling them to do whatever they like result in social unrest in the long run.

Equal In Dignity

Dignity is state of being worthy of esteem or respect. Dignity means that a human being has an inborn right to be valued and get fair treatment. Dignity also has expressive meanings relating to human worth. Every person has been created by the God equal in dignity.

Endowed With Reason

Human beings are endowed with reason. They have the capacity for logical, rational, and investigative thinking.

Conscience

Conscience is the sense of right and wrong that governs a person’s thoughts and actions. Humans are bestowed with conscience as well. They know what is wrong and what is right.

It means that as a human being, everyone is capable to understand that stealing is wrong. It means that everyone understands that providing someone with food is right.

These points (of reason and conscience) in the Article 1 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights are very important. If someone steals something, he cannot say that imprisonment as an act of punishment to him is contrary to his basic right of freedom (because he is born free). A criminal must understand that he can be punished for his crimes. Also, he cannot argue that he did not know that stealing is bad. As a human being, because he is gifted with reason and conscience, he naturally knows what is right and wrong.

Spirit of brotherhood

Humans are born free. They are equal. They are equal in rights. They are equal in dignity. Because they are blessed with reason and conscience, they must know that other people have same rights as well. Rights of other people should also be protected. All are equal means all belong to one race, that is to say humanity. We all belong to one family. Thus, the Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights expects that everyone ‘should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood’.

Harnaksh Syndrome

(Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’)

According to Bhagwat Puran and Vishnu Puran, Prahlad was son of Harnikshipu, and Harnikshipu was a real brother of Harnaksh. Alternatively, Guru Amardas Ji, Guru Ramdas Ji, Bhagat Kabir Ji, and Bhagat Namdev Ji in Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Bhai Gurdas Ji in his‘Vaars’ mentioned that Prahlad was son of Harnaksh.

Nevertheless, it does not matter in any way whether his name was Hrinikshipu or Harnaksh; the story is same in these two versions.

Well, I would prefer the name ‘Harnaksh’ for Prahlad’s father.

Harnaksh was a king in ancient times. Ancient history tells us that he was a mighty ruler. He defeated many kings and spread his kingdom by force. It is said that he defeated even Indra, the king of gods.

Political power or royal power is a big deceiver. Guru Nanak Dev Ji said:

ਮਃ ੧ ॥ ਰਾਜੁ ਮਾਲੁ ਰੂਪੁ ਜਾਤਿ ਜੋਬਨੁ ਪੰਜੇ ਠਗ ॥ ਏਨੀ ਠਗੀਂ ਜਗੁ ਠਗਿਆ ਕਿਨੈ ਨ ਰਖੀ ਲਜ ॥

Royal power, wealth, beauty, social status and youth are the five deceivers. These deceivers have deceived the world; no one’s honor has been spared. (Guru Nanak Dev Ji ,Sri Guru Granth Sahib).

Harnaksh was not an exception. Royal power deceived him also.

He was a king, a political leader. Now, he wanted to be a religious figure as well. He wanted to be worshipped by everybody. He got the idea into his head that he himself was the God. He ordered all people to worship him.

On The Name Of Religion

I support freedom of faith. I believe that everyone has the right to preach his religious views. But, there is difference between ‘preaching’ and ‘imposing’. Harnaksh first preached and then started to impose his ideas by force, by use of violence. He followed simple rule, “follow me or face death”. …This is what I call ‘Harnaksh syndrome’.

Who on earth is not afraid of death? Everyone wants to live; and stay alive for long time. No one wants to pass away.

People started worshipping King Harnaksh. Harnaksh did not deserve to be worshipped. People were worshipping him, only because they were afraid. No one raised his voice against Harnaksh. His ministers, teachers in his kingdom and ordinary people started to say what he liked to hear. He became even more arrogant.

However, the opposition came from his own son. Prahlad was his youngest son. He was about 5 years old. Maharishi Narad, a well-known sage taught him the true worship. Prahlad started worshipping the God Almighty.

Prahlad was sent to school to learn worldly education. His teachers, Shand and Amark tried their best to convince Prahlad that Harnaksh was the God Almighty. Despite their efforts, Prahlad continued singing the Glory of real God.

As it was not enough, Prahlad led other students to worship the Real God. His peaceful manners and thoughts of divine happiness appealed other students. All of them started worshipping God.

Prahlad was summoned to the court of his father, King Harnaksh.

Prahlad tried to convince his father that God reveals Himself to all who devoted to Him. He told that the Supreme Lord is present everywhere.

Harnaksh ordered his assistants to kill Prahlad. They tried different means but they could not kill Prahlad by throwing him beneath the feet of big elephants, throwing him among huge snakes, employing destructive spells, hurling him from the top of a hill, starving him, exposing him to severe cold, winds, fire and water, or throwing heavy stones to crush him.

Raged in anger, Harnaksh took up his sword, got up from his throne, and struck his fist against a pillar with great irritation.

Then from within the pillar came a deafening sound, which had never before been heard. To prove that the Supreme Lord is present everywhere, even within the pillar of an assembly hall, wonderful form of the Lord, Narsingh, which could not be established to be either a man or a lion, emerged from the pillar. The Lord came into sight in His wonderful form in the assembly hall.

Lord Narsingh

Lord Narsingh placed Harnaksh on His lap, supporting him with His thighs, and in the doorway of the assembly hall the Lord very easily tore Harnaksh to pieces with the nails of His hand.

Prahlad was appointed the king. He ruled wisely and well ever after.

I sometime think that there must have been so many Harnakshs in this world in previous times. Many more will come in future as well. After gaining political as well as other powers, they will put in force their artificial ‘religion’. People with ‘Harnaksh Syndrome’ will use violent behavior to spread their religion in future as well.

Harnaksh syndrome is a mental disease, in which the patient uses religion and violence as means to get political power. Terrorism becomes his religion. By force he robs people, and declares that it was the order of the God. He destroys businesses and trades, and says I did so because the God asked me to do so. He commits every kind of sins, even rapes and killings, and then uses his invented ‘religion’ to hide his misdeeds. For him, religion is not a way to realise the God, but an outfit to hide his evil actions. He believes that by using the name of religion, he can easily fool ordinary people.

Calling their followers ‘believers’, declaring non-followers ‘infidels’, using violence to silence dissidents, killing non-followers, and claiming that it is ordered by the God; all these symptoms point toward only one disease, that is to say ‘Harnaksh syndrome’.

History repeats itself. Harnaksh was born and then destroyed. Those who come into power by violence are removed by violence. If any Harnaksh imposes his artificial religion by force, it will be destroyed by force, sooner or later.

‘A Threat’ Is A Weapon Of Terrorism

(Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’)

Targeting civilians is a distinctive characteristic of terrorism. However, so far as the issue of ‘threat’ is concerned, I would like to make a point. The purpose of a threat is ‘to terrorize’; and ‘to terrorize’ is terrorism.

Terrorism is an evil ideology, which uses ‘terror’ as a resource to get hold of its goal. A terrorist can spread ‘terror’ with or without using weapons. Ordinary civilians can be terrorized merely by rumors too. And, ‘a threat’ is even more serious ‘weapon’

A terrorist can commit a terrorist activity by using ‘a threat’ only. Suppose, a terrorist aboard an aero plane has an apple wrapped in a piece of cloth. It is not a bomb, just an apple. He issues ‘a threat’ and says, “I have a bomb wrapped in a piece of this cloth.” And then he tries to hijack the aero plane. In this case, the terrorist has no weapon in his possession, but he uses ‘a threat’ to commit an act of terrorism.

Making threats to spread terror, to provide funds to terrorists, to give weapons to terrorists, and to provide a terrorist with any kind of help should also be considered a part of ‘wider’ definition of terrorism. Even if we believe that ‘a threat’ is not ‘terrorism’, we have to accept that ‘a threat’ can be used as a weapon of terrorism.

Four Features of Terrorist Organizations

(Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’)

There is no universally accepted definition of terrorism. The UN Member States still have no agreed-upon definition of terrorism. For political reasons, one state’s ‘terrorist’ is considered a ‘freedom fighter’ by another state. This disagreement on such a grave issue is a main hindrance to effective international counter-terrorism actions.

An unbeaten international counter-terrorism action can be taken only when majority of countries are agreed upon a universally accepted definition of terrorism. If there is violence in any country, there are a few countries supporting the government of that country, and a few countries supporting rebel militant-groups. It means that for a few countries, the government of that country is terrorizing its own people and for others it is the rebel group which is a terrorist outfit.

While different governments for various political reasons are busy debating the definition of terrorism, thousands of innocent people are constantly being killed by various terrorist-groups in different parts of the world.

For most of people, terrorist activities include threatening, conspiring or attempting to commit acts of violence (with or without the use of any weapon) on any person or community, in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, ethnic, or ideological. Such acts of violence include killing of people; to hijack airplanes, boats, buses or other vehicles; to destroy buildings and business etc.

Terrorism has four characteristic features: (1) the threat or use of violence; (2) a political/religious/ethnic/ideological objective; the wish to change the status quo; (3) the aim to spread fear by committing spectacular public acts; (4) the planned targeting of civilians.

If we identify terrorism by these four distinctive features, we can with no trouble reach the conclusion which organizations are terrorist outfits. A person could be a freedom-fighter (of his country) and a terrorist at the same time. It simply means he is trying to get freedom by the means of terrorism. It is good to be a freedom fighter, but it is very bad to be a terrorist. A freedom fighter militant attacks armed men of the system. On the other hand, a terrorist attacks even unarmed innocent civilians as well. To fight for freedom is everybody’s right, but using terrorism to achieve any goal is evil.

If above mentioned four characteristic features are found in any organization, it should be declared a terrorist group.

Should We Remain Spectators?

(Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’)

When I read articles and comments by people on different websites, I realise that such people can be divided in two different categories. One category can be labeled as ‘Spectators’, and the other ‘Activists’.

A ‘spectator’ is a person, who does nothing else, just watches a game, show, or incident etc. A spectator is an observer. He or she goes to an assembly or gathering to observe and report but not to take part in its activities. He or she just sees what is happening. He or she does not try to change the situation. He or she does nothing to make things better.

On the other hand, an ‘activist’ is a person, who advocates or opposes a cause or issue vigorously, especially a social or a political cause. It means an activist is not merely a spectator, but he or she tries to make things better. Thus, activism is a principle or practice of forceful action or involvement as a means of achieving social, political or other goals, sometimes by demonstrations, protests, and even by writings etc.

I generally use the internet for news. I want to know what is happening around the world. I read news and come to know that innocent people are being brutally murdered, raped, plundered, and displaced from their homes. I often see pictures and videos that show miseries of ordinary people.

I have been watching what is going on around the world. However, should I remain purely a spectator? Should I turn blind eye to abuses made by any government or any rebel group?

Our next generations certainly will ask us what we did to stop extremism. They will ask us what we did to make things better. It is not good to be just a spectator.

It is time to be an activist. People around us are innocent. They do not know why terrorism, extremism is there around the world. It is time to create awareness among the masses.

If we remain inactive, we will have to witness our own destruction.

Thus, we have no other option. We have to pressurize our respective governments to take strong steps against terrorism and extremism. We have to raise our voices on every forum.

We can no longer be merely a spectator. We should come together to be activists… Let us try to make things better, by creating awareness among ordinary people, by demonstrations, protests, and even by writings etc.

Jail for Kodnani, Bajrangi and Others

(Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’)

We welcome the order of the Additional Principal Judge Jyotsna Yagnik on Friday, August 31, 2012, in which the BJP MLA Maya Kodnanai (a woman) has been sentenced to 28 years in jail. The court awarded Babu Bajrangi life imprisonment till death, while 30 other convicts were awarded life terms in the same case. Kodnani was found guilty, along with Babu Bajrangi, under Sections 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy) and 302 (murder) of IPC.

Maya Kodnani was an MLA (on Bhartiya Janta Party’s ticket) in Gujarat state assembly at the time of the incident. She was made Minister of State for Women and Child Development in the Narendra Modi government in 2007. Babu Bajrangi was a leader of Bajrang Dal.

The Naroda Patiya massacre had taken place a day after the Godhra train burning incident of February 27, 2002 which had triggered the state-wide anti-Muslim carnage. On February 28, 2002 when a bandh call was given by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a large crowd, allegedly led by Maya Kodnani burnt to death 97 Muslims in Naroda Patiya area of Ahmedabad city in Gujarat, while 33 others were injured in the violence.

The court had conducted trial against 61 accused over 402 days. A total of 327 people were cross-examined during the trial. Total 32 accused were found guilty by the court.

(Key excerpts from the judgement)

Dera Gufa Massacre

Before 1947, Muzaffarabad district of Kashmir (now under control of Pakistan) region had a good presence of Kashmiri Pandits, who became Sikhs during and even after Gurus’ era. ‘Dera Gufa’ (ਡੇਰਾ ਗੁਫ਼ਾ) was a famous Sikh religious center, which was very popular in and around Muzaffarabad. The ‘Dera Gufa’ was situated on a bank of river Krishna Ganga. It was close to border of Kashmir and Pakistan.

On October 22, 1947, when the recitation of ‘Sri Sukhmani Sahib’, a holy composition in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was about to be completed in early morning, a bullet fired from a gun struck to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji inside the Gurdwara. It was an attack by Pakistani tribesmen backed by Pakistani army.

Sant Kishan Singh and many prominent Sikhs of the region were inside at that time along with about 1500 Sikhs from nearby villages.

In a few moments, tribesmen and Pakistani army besieged the Gurdwara.

The young Sikhs came outside to face invaders. They killed many attackers and then were martyred one by one in front of Gurdwara Sahib. Now, only old people, women and children were inside the Gurdwara.

When Pakistanis faced no resistance any more, they put the Gurdwara Sahib on fire. Inside the Gurdwara, there were hundreds of women, old men and children. As the fire spread and heat became unbearable, people started to come out of the Gurdwara. As they came out, Pakistanis fired on them.

Among those martyred were Bibi Anand Kaur wife of late Sant Narayan Singh (a famous Sikh preacher and head of the Dera), and Bibi Malap Kaur, a daughter of Sant Narayan Singh.

Many Sikh women, including Bibi Parduman Kaur, a daughter of Sant Narayan Singh were abducted by invaders.

About 1300 Sikh men, women and children were martyred in this massacre.

Massacre in Gurdwara Patshahi 6, Naluchhi

In October, 1947, Pakistani tribesmen and Pakistani army attacked Kashmir. Sikhs lived in many villages all over the state. In this page, we are remembering a massacre which took place in Gurdwara Patshahi 6, Naluchi (ਨਲੂਛੀ).

Gurdwara Patshahi 6 was built in memory of the sixth Guru, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji’s Kashmir tour.

Many Kashmiri Pandits of Muzzaferbad (now in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) region became Sikhs during Gurus’ era. During Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Guruship and later as well, many of them joined the fold of Khalsa.

They were settled down in Naluchi and other nearby villages in Muzzaferabad. When they heard news of Pakistani attack of famous Sikh religious center ‘Dera Gufa’, they prepared themselves to face invaders.

Local Sikhs were given a few weapons by the state government. Under the command of S. Jagtar Singh, S. Saran Singh and Giani Ujagar Singh, around 400 Sikhs took positions to protect the Gurdwara Sahib.

Pakistani army and tribesmen entered Naluchi from two sides and besieged the Gurdwara.

Sikhs had though limited ammunition with them; they fought fearlessly for three days and killed many invaders. On the fourth day, when they had no ammunition left with them, they came out of their positions and drank the cup of martyrdom one by one.

Domel Massacre

In October, 1947, Pakistani tribesmen and Pakistani army attacked Kashmir. Sikhs lived in many villages all over the state. In this page, we are remembering a massacre which took place in Domel (Punjabi: ਦੋਮੇਲ, Hindi: दोमेल).

Domel

Sikhs were settled down in many villages around Muzzafrabad (present Capital of Pakistan occupied Kashmir). When Pakistanis attacked Kashmir, many Sikhs living near border villages were martyred without getting any chance to leave the area.

As the news of massacres of Sikhs and Hindus spread in Muzzafrabad and nearby villages, they tried to go to safe places.

A group of about 1200 Sikh men and women of 8-9 villages (Kotli, Avihar, Basnara, Haru, Rarha, Tera and Bakka etc) were trying to escape under their leaders Sant Baldev Singh, Giani Rangeel Singh and S. Gurbaksh Singh.

When they reached ‘Domel’ (near Muzzafrabad, they were confronted by Pakistani Army. The Pakistani army commander promised Sikhs that if they surrender their weapons to Pakistani army, they would be sent to Jammu safely.
These Sikhs have not enough weapons and ammunition to battle an army of a country. Also, they thought Pakistani army will not harm innocent civilians. Sikhs gave their arms to Pakistanis. Immediately after getting all weapons of Sikhs, the army commander asked them either to embrace Islam or get killed.

When the leaders of this group of Sikhs found that they were betrayed, they asked to give them time to consider Pakistanis’ offer. Pakistanis agreed.

There was a hotel in Domel, whose Hindu owner was killed during this invasion. These Sikhs took a ‘Karhahi’ (ਕੜਾਹੀ, an iron utensil used to cook ‘Karhah Prashad’) and other utensils from this hotel.

They prepared ‘Karhah Prashad’ (ਕੜਾਹ ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਾਦ) and gathered in form of congregation. As not a single Sikh was ready to be a Muslim, they decided to embrace martyrdom.

They performed an ‘Ardas’ (ਅਰਦਾਸ) asking the Waheguru for ‘Trust of Dharma and Gurmat’. The ‘Karhah Prashad’ was distributed among them. All of them took ‘Karhah Prashad’ with devotion.

The Sikh women and children were advised to run towards river Neelum. Bibi Makhan Kaur (wife of Sant Baldev Singh) and his young daughter led the women and children towards the river.

Sikh men went to Pakistani army commander. Amidst the holy slogans of ‘Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal’ (ਬੋਲੇ ਸੋ ਨਿਹਾਲ ॥ ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ॥) they announced that they were ready to drink the cup of martyrdom.

Pakistanis opened fire by machineguns. Hundreds of faithful Sikhs cheerfully embraced the martyrdom.

Sikh women carried their children in their arms and jumped into the river.