Refuting Rashtriya Sikh Sangat (RSS)
Bijla Singh
RSS stands for Rashtriya Sikh Sangat. It is a wing of the parent Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. RSS thinkers maintain that Hindu (Bharatiya) culture is the only indegenous culture of India and, that India cannot be nationally integrated until all the Indian share this culture and recognize it as the foundation of their collective national identity. Persuant to this aim, the parent RSS has formed a massive national infrastructure to reassimilate the Hindu masses back into the Hindu fold. The Christian, Muslim, Dalit as well as Sikh communities have been the targets of carefully orchestrated cultural and religious genocide. In recent years, the international community and major corporate contributors have taken notice of this activity and some countries have banned subsidiary groups of the RSS operating there whose funding activities have funded violent activities (pogrom against the Muslim community in Gujrat for example) while presenting the face of social relief projects. At the level of the State of Punjab, the Rashriya Sikh Sangat is only one of many RSS entities in the state that serves as an anti-Panthic element fulfilling the grand plan of the parent RSS. It has the support of Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) and its main goal is to absorb Sikhism into Hinduism. The Indian government is spending millions of rupees to destroy Sikhism via multilevel tactics one of which is publishing false literature about Sikhism. One of the main claims published in many misleading books on Sikhism is that it is a sect of Hinduism. They try to connect every Sikh principle to Hinduism and then argue that the Sikhs are Hindus. I already have created and published a page on this site, which proves that Sikhism is a completely different religion than Hinduism (Read Sikhism and Hinduism). On this page I will detail the goals and motives of RSS and outline and clear the doubts the RSS is planting into people’s minds about Sikhism.
Most of you have probably heard about the Hindus’ leadership activities in Punjab. Accordingly, the RSS is the root of crippling problems Punjab is facing right now. Akali Dal can’t do anything because Parkash (Hanerra or Dark) Badal is an instrument to these Hindu extremists. The only way to get Punjab out of the trap of the wily Hindu leadership and out of this terrible situation is to follow the teaching of Guru Granth Sahib and the principles of Sikhism that the Gurus set forth.
First, let’s look at the problems the RSS has created in Punjab. The first action of RSS is to weaken the power of Punjab and ultimately destroy it. To accomplish this, they have masterminded in recent years to drown the whole Punjab with massive infusions of drugs and alcohol throughout the community. They have actively been involved in the distribution and trafficking of drugs, alcohol and forming of rings of prostitution. Mostly, the targets are college students and the rural youth especially Sikhs. Most of the college students today are drug addicts and alcoholics including many girls. It becomes clear that the goal of such tactics is to depress the number of university graduates in future generations by creating a population of young drug addicts and alcoholics. A parallel fate is occurring in the Sikh agricultural community. There are presently more bars in Punjab then public schools and many more are opening daily.
Secondly, the RSS is moving populations of Hindu migrants to Punjab from other parts of the country, so that the Hindu population can overtake the native Punjabi population. The theory is that if there are more Hindus than Sikhs in Punjab that during the elections more people will claim Hindi as their first language instead of Punjabi. By numeric superiority and by law, Hindi would eventually become the first language of Punjab. By eclipsing Punjabi as the official language, Punjab would become a Hindi State. But, it goes much deeper than that. It will also impact education policy. No Punjabi means Gurmukhi Script will not be taught resulting in less people learning Gurbani and fewer Sikhs. Punjabi is the Sikhs’ native tongue and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is written in Gurmukhi script. This is a classic cultural genocidal tactic. One destroys a people’s language, script, spiritual base, social infrastructure and kills its youth thereby eradicates its entire culture while simultaneously and gradually replace their way of life with the majority Hindu one. Soon, no one would know how to read, write and speak Punjabi and their religio-cultural roots would be forgotten and die.
The larger plan becomes quite clear. They surmise that if Sikhs turn away from their religion then Sikhism will die. The key is to change the character of Sikhs. If Sikhs start smoking, drinking, committing adultery and become ignorant of reading and understanding Gurbani that they will lose the power of Gurbani and will turn away from the true principles of Sikhism. This is why the RSS is actively distributing drugs in large amounts, opening bars, showing lewd films and songs on television and pushing prostitution in the Punjab.
Hindus will occupy Punjab gradually. Already their population has increased by 12% in last ten years or so. The problem is exacerbated by the population imbalance created by ultrasound gender selection and subsequent female infanticide by native Punjabis. Migrant Hindus are readily afforded all rights in Punjab that Punjabis are not accorded in other states. We must do something to stem the flow of migrant Hindus coming into Punjab and buying land. Sikhs are not permitted these days in any of the Indian states to buy land, vote or own businesses there whereas Hindus coming in Punjab have right to vote and buy the land for farming. Soon there will be more Hindu farmers in Punjab than Sikhs and the Hindus will control the market. Sikhs will be pushed from the market and lose economic clout, eventually lose their livelihood and become severely impoverished. Sikhs need to exhibit foresight and work to stem the tide of Hindu migrants before they lose their power base. The Sikhs need to act soon or another genocide like the one in 1984 is forthcoming. If the migrants remain in Punjab they are likely to support the Congress. We need to remember that the Congress is responsible for killing more than 300,000 Sikhs in the past 17 years and putting 60,000 Sikhs in jails without any charge or trail. The record of the BJP is just as dismal.
Secondly, pseudo saints, false living Gurus like Radha Swami, Nirankaris, Noormahals, Saccha Sauda are entities created by the RSS. The RSS has setup this network of agents to mislead unsuspecting Sikhs. These groups and individuals are given billions of rupees every year to spread their mission of misinformation and propaganda against Sikhism. These groups often distort the meanings and content of Gurbani to mislead the population. Legitimate Sikh groups are often sidelined and threatened while these scoundrels enjoy police protection and full support. Now the RSS has started sending and encouraging these false people to branch out to outside countries too. Be well aware and avoid them!
The third tactic of the RSS involves the distortion and destruction of educational content. They have taken control of the educational policy making of the Punjab. They are pushing the lie in that Sikhism is a sect of Hinduism. Competitions are being held on Sikhism but the books provided for students include all this false information about Sikhism. The RSS is publishing the Sikh history books, which state that Sikh Gurus lived their lives as Hindus and they have done everything with the help of Hindus. They have also portrayed the Gurus as evil-doers and thugs increasing suspicion in the minds of the general populace. People in general often don’t bother to acquire the true understanding about Sikhism and Sikh history and they end up with a lot of doubts and confusion in their minds because of RSS. This is as true in India as it is in the rest of the world. In this time of sound bites, busy schedules and instant communication it is easy for the RSS to do its job. The RSS is merely taking advantage of people’s ignorance, complacency and increasing busyness.
To summarize, I will attempt to educate the public and clear confusion and doubt in the minds of readers. RSS is attacking Sikhism on many fronts and I’ll try to counter their misleading rhetoric. I am not be a scholar of Sikhism but will endeavor to present content as accurately as possible. If you detect errors or mistakes please let me know. This topic is quite deep and will require multiple parts in a series to explore.
At the end of the day, the best way to stop the RSS is for every one of you to be educated about this pervasive threat to the Sikh way of life, to learn about Sikhism, understand it, firmly practice and live by its principles and be actively involved within the Sikh and ambient communities in all spheres of life to counter this nefarious influence.
1) RSS says that Guru Nanak Dev Ji was a Hindu because he was born in a Hindu family?
First of all, we all should know that Guru Nanak Dev Ji never accepted any principle of Hinduism nor Islam. Just because He was born in a Hindu family doesn’t mean that he was a Hindu. Your character makes you a person. If you are born in a Hindu family but you have never done anything like a Hindu and you oppose Hinduism then you wouldn’t be a Hindu. Hindu is he who follows what Hinduism says such as worshipping stones etc. Guru Nanak Ji never ever worshipped stones. This is just one example. Guru Ji always worshipped one almighty God. Guru Ji rejected the idea of wearing Janju (piece of thread) at young age and later didn’t take any rounds around the fire when He married Mata Sulakhni Ji. Guru Ji started a new religion, Sikhism, and preached the message of One God. Bhai Gurdas Ji says:
ਮਾਰਿਆ ਸਿੱਕਾ ਜਗਤ ਵਿਚ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਪੰਥ ਚਲਾਯਾ॥
In the world, he established the authority (of his doctrines) and started a religion, devoid of any impurity (niramal panth).
Which means Guru Nanak Ji started a new religion. Guru Ji taught Sikhs to believe in one God. Whatever Guru Nanak Ji taught He practiced it first. He did everything first then taught Sikhs to do it in essence practicing what he preached. Guru Ji said, “There is no Hindu, no Muslim” meaning that no one is born Hindu nor a Muslim because what one does makes him Hindu or Muslim. Worshipping stones and believing in more than one God makes you a Hindu; fasting and following what Quran says makes you a Muslim. How can you be a Muslim if you don’t fast, believe in Quran and pray five times a day. How can you be a Hindu if you don’t wear Janju, worship 330 million Gods and believe in castes? Guru Ji taught equality and gave equal rights to women. So this is one of the idiotic questions of RSS. They are foolish. This is what Gurbani says about Hinduism.
The Hindu is sightless; the Muslim has only one eye. The spiritual teacher is wiser than both of them. (Ang 875)
I do not make pilgrimages to Mecca, nor do I worship at Hindu sacred shrines. I serve the One Lord, and not any other. (Ang 1136)
I do not perform Hindu worship services, nor do I offer the Muslim prayers. I do not perform Hindu worship services, nor do I offer the Muslim prayers. (Ang 1136)
I am not a Hindu, nor am I a Muslim. (Ang 1136)
I have abandoned both the Pandits, the Hindu religious scholars, and the Mullahs, the Muslim priests. (Ang 1159)
2) The RSS is saying that Guru Gobind Singh Ji worshipped Kali Devi on Hemkunt Parbat where Guru Ji meditated for a long time?
The truth is that Guru Ji never ever worshipped any idols of Hinduism. Guru Ji always worshipped one God and taught Sikhs to do the same. RSS is not using Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s lines accurately. RSS is saying this:
“Mahan Kaal Kalka Aaradhi”
Kalka is name of Hindu Goddess Kali Devi but Guru Ji never said anything like this. Guru Ji’s original lines are these:
“Mahan Kaal, Kaal Ka Aaradhi”
Which means that Guru Ji worshipped the greatest of great power, which is death of death meaning God. God is the death of death. Mahan Kaal means “Death” and Kaal Ka means “Of Death” and Aaradhi means “Worshipped”. So Guru Ji worshipped the death of death, which is the almighty power of one God. If we read the next lines we find that Guru Ji truly worshipped One God. The next lines say this:
“Eh Bidh Karat Tapaseya Bhaeyo, Dve Te Eek Roop Hve Gaeyo”
Guru Ji is saying that “By meditating upon God’s name I became one with God like a glass of water in a big ocean. I am encompassed in his glory” Guru Gobind Singh Ji also said:
I do not accept Ganesha as important. I do not meditate on Krishna, neither on Vishnu. I do not hear them and do not recognize them. My love is with the Lotus feet of God. He is my protector, the Supreme Lord. I am dust of his Lotus feet. (Guru Gobind Singh)
This clearly proves that Guru Ji worshipped One God and the only way to worship God is to meditate upon His true name. RSS is changing these lines and trying to convince Sikhs that they are part of Hinduism. All of their Gods are represented as idols and images. This is what Gurbani says about Hindus worshipping stones:
The blind ignorant ones stray in doubt and so deluded, deluded they pluck flowers for worship. They worship the lifeless stones and adore tombs. Their service all goes in vain. (Ang 1264)
They who say the stone is a god; in vain is their service. He who falls at the feet of the stone; vain goes his labor. My Lord ever speaks. The Lord gives gifts to all the living beings. The Lord is within, but the blind one knows not. Deluded by doubt, he is caught in a noose. The stone speaks not, nor gives anything. In vain are the ceremonies of the idolater, and fruitless his service. (Ang 1160)
Why worship gods and goddesses, O Siblings of Destiny? What can we ask of them? What can they give us? The stone gods are washed with water, O Siblings of Destiny, but they just sink in the water. (Ang 637)
You worship gods and goddesses, but you do not know the Supreme Lord God. Says Kabeer, you have not remembered the Lord who has no ancestors; you are clinging to your corrupt ways. (Ang 332)
3) RSS says that Guru Gobind Singh Ji is incarnation of Krishna?
From the last question you have learned that Guru Ji only worshipped one God and He never ever mentioned being Krishna or anything even close to that in His biography. Guru Ji never believed in Krishna. Guru Ji says:
“I do not accept Ganesha as important. I do not meditate on Krishna, neither on Vishnu. I do not hear them and do not recognize them. My love is with the Lotus feet of God. He is my protector, the Supreme Lord. I am dust of his Lotus feet.” (Guru Gobind Singh)
This means Guru Ji was not incarnation of Krishna. Now lets look at what Krishna did during his lifetime. Was he really a God?
In Bhagvat Purana chapter 10, section 22 says that once Krishna saw women taking bath in the river. So he went there and stole their clothes and made them come outside naked to get their clothes. When they did he forced them to mate with him. What kind of God would do that? Is this the kind of love God gives to his children? In the same chapter section 60 says that Krishna had 16,108 wives and Radha was not one of them. Each wife gave birth to 10 sons and one daughter means that Krishna had 161,080 sons and 16,108 daughters. So all together he had 177188 children. This shows how lustful Krishna was and RSS is trying to compare him with the greatest of all, Guru Gobind Singh Ji?
God is not lustful at all. Guru Ji has taught us to overcome the five thieves including Lust, Anger, Greed, Emotional Attachment and Pride (Egotism). If Guru Ji were incarnation of Krishna, Guru Ji would have never taught us this concept. If we learn the message of the Gurus then we can understand that the Guru Ji were never incarnation of anyone. Guru Ji was one with God and showed us the same path He followed. Look at some of the following quotes regarding Krishna:
ਕਹਾ ਭਯੋ ਜੋ ਆਨ ਜਗਤ ਮੈ ਦਸਕ ਅਸੁਰ ਹਰਿ ਘਾਏ ॥ ਅਧਿਕ ਪ੍ਰਪੰਚ ਦਿਖਾਇ ਸਭਨ ਕੱਹ ਆਪਹਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਕਹਾਏ॥੧॥
ਭੰਜਨ ਗੜ੍ਹਨ ਸਮਰਥ ਸਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਸੋ ਕਿਮ ਜਾਤਿ ਗਿਨਾਯੋ ॥ ਤਾਂ ਤੇ ਸਰਬ ਕਾਲ ਕੇ ਅਸਿ ਕੋ ਘਾਇ ਬਚਾਇ ਨ ਆਯੋ॥੨॥
ਕੈਸੇ ਤੋਹਿ ਤਾਰਿਹੈ ਸੁਨਿ ਜੜ ਆਪ ਡੁਬਿਯੋ ਭਵ ਸਾਗਰ ॥ ਛੁਟਿਹੋ ਕਾਲ ਫਾਸ ਤੇ ਤਬ ਹੀ ਗਹੋ ਸਰਨਿ ਜਗਤਾਗਰ॥੩॥੫॥
So what if Krishna/Vishnu came here and killed about ten bad people? Showing many hypocrisies and fooling everyone, he called himself God. The one who kills and creates, how can He be described by counting? If he (Krishna) was God then how come he couldn’t save himself from death? Hey idiot, listen, how can that idiot get you across this world ocean (get you liberated) when he himself fell into the world ocean (died). You can only be saved when you go to Waheguru (God). (Shabad Hazaray, Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
ਦੇਵ ਦੈਤ ਦਿਸਾ ਵਿਸਾ ਜਿਹ ਕੀਨ ਸਰਬ ਪਸਾਰ॥ ਕਉਨ ਉਪਮਾ ਤੌਨ ਕੋ ਮੁਖ ਲੇਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਮੁਰਾਰ॥3॥7॥
God who created life, solar systems, soil, and rest of the elements in the universe. How can He be praised by comparing Him to a human such as Arjun or Krishna? (Shabad Hazaray, Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
“In the Jujar Veda, Kaan Krishna of the Yaadva tribe seduced Chandraavali by force.” (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 470)
“Even Krishna and Balbhadar meditated on the Lord, falling at the Guru’s Feet.” (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 165)
4) RSS says that Guru Gobind Singh Ji is praying Hindu God Shiva in Sikh Religious/National Anthem?
This is totally false. Gurbani is full of quotes that teach us to worship and pray only to ONE God. Guru Ji said He never recognized any Ganesha and Krishna. If Guru Ji doesn’t recognize Ganesha, then He doesn’t recognize Shiva either simply because they don’t exist. In the Hindu religion Ganesha is worshipped before Shiva and has higher authority than Shiva. Guru Ji is praying to one God. Sikhism accepts all names of God. Shiva is one of those names just as “Allah” or “God” but God is referred to mainly as “Waheguru” in Sikhism. Sikhism never accepted any power other than one almighty God and this refers to that God not the Hindu deity. Guru Ji never referred it to the Hindu Shiva because how could Guru Ji pray to someone who killed an innocent boy of a farmer? Shiva couldn’t even recognize his own son and killed him out of anger. Guru Ji taught us to overcome five thieves and anger is one of them. Therefore, Guru Ji referred to God as Shiva not the God of Hindus. Read the following verse by Guru Gobind Singh Ji to understand it better.
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਜੂ ਤੋ ਕਹ ਲਾਜ ਹਮਾਰੀ ॥ਨੀਲ ਕੰਠ ਨਰਹਰਿ ਨਾਰਾਇਣ ਨੀਲ ਬਸਨ ਬਨਵਾਰੀ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Hey Waheguru (God) Ji! Please keep my honour and respect.Hey God! (For me) You are Shivji, Nursing, Vishnu, Krishna’s older brother Balram, Krishna. (Shabad Hazaray, Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
ਏਕ ਚਿੱਤ ਜਿਹ ਇਕ ਛਿਨ ਧਿਆਯੋ ॥ ਕਾਲ ਫਾਸ ਕੇ ਬੀਚ ਨ ਆਯੋ ॥10॥
Anyone who meditates on God with sincere devotion even for a moment. That person shall never be caught hold of the terrors of death. (Tav Parsad Sawayeas, Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
This proves beyond the doubt that Guru Ji never praised Hindu deity Shiv or Shiva. Guru JI praised only Almighty Waheguru who does not take birth or die, who is timeless, formless and without any hatred. Some of the following verses of Guru Ji speak of the Hindu god Shiv.
ਰਾਮ ਰਹੀਮ ਉਬਾਰ ਨ ਸਕਹੈ ਜਾਕਰ ਨਾਮ ਰਟੈ ਹੈ ॥ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨ ਰੁਦ੍ਰ ਸੂਰਜ ਸਸਿ ਤੇ ਬਸਿ ਕਾਲ ਸਬੈ ਹੈ ॥
ਬੇਦ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਕੁਰਾਨ ਸਬੈ ਮਤ ਜਾਕਰ ਨੇਤ ਕਹੈ ਹੈ ॥ ਇੰਦ੍ਰ ਫਨਿੰਦ੍ਰ ਮੁਨਿੰਦ੍ਰ ਕਲਪ ਬਹੁ ਧਿਆਵਤ ਧਿਆਨ ਨ ਐ ਹੈ ॥੨॥
ਜਾਕਰ ਰੂਪ ਰੰਗ ਨਹਿ ਜਨਿਯਤ ਸੋ ਕਿਮ ਸਯਾਮ ਕਹੈ ਹੈ ॥ ਛੁਟਹੋ ਕਾਲ ਜਾਲ ਤੇ ਤਬ ਹੀ ਤਾਹਿ ਚਰਨ ਲਪਟੈ ਹੈ॥੩॥੧੦॥
Raam and Mohammed and other prophets who you remember couldn’t describe God. Brahmas, Vishnus, Shivji, Sun, Moon, etc. all die and reincarnate.Vedas, Puraans, Kuran and other religious books can’t describe God.Inders (Vishnu), Faninders (Shivji), Muninders (Brahma) tried to find God but couldn’t find the Lord Almighty.The one who has no colour or physical appearance, how can He be called blue or black? You can only get away from the cycles of birth and death when to cling to the feet of God.(Shabad Hazaray, Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
ਜਵਨ ਕਾਲ ਜੋਗੀ ਸਿਵ ਕੀਓ ॥ ਬੇਦਰਾਜ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਜੂ ਥੀਓ ॥
ਜਵਨ ਕਾਲ ਸਭ ਲੋਕ ਸਵਾਰਾ ॥ ਨਮਸਕਾਰ ਹੈ ਤਾਹਿ ਹਮਾਰਾ ॥੮॥
The Temporal Lord created Shiva, the Yogi; Brahma, the Utterer of Vedas. The Temporal Lord, Who fashioned the entire Universe, I salute to Him alone. (Benti Chaupai, Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
ਜਵਨ ਕਾਲ ਸਭ ਜਗਤ ਬਨਾਯੌ ॥ ਦੇਵ ਦੈਤ ਜੱਛਨ ਉਪਜਾਯੋ ॥
ਆਦਿ ਅੰਤਿ ਏਕੈ ਅਵਤਾਰਾ ॥ ਸੋਈ ਗੁਰੂ ਸਮਝਿਯਹੁ ਹਮਾਰਾ ॥੯॥
He, Who is the Creator of Time and the Universe, also created the angels, demons and yakshas. He alone was in the beginning and will also be at the end of the Time. He alone is my Guru. (Benti Chaupai, Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
ਮਹਾਦੇਵ ਕੋ ਕਹਤ ਸਦਾ ਸਿਵ ॥ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ ਕਾ ਚੀਨਤ ਨਹਿ ਭਿਵ ॥੧੬॥
The fools consider Him a stone, for He does not know the Profound Mysterym that is God. He calls Shiva, The Eternal Lord, and does not know the secret of the Formless Lord. (Benti Chaupai, Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਿਸਨ ਅੰਤੁ ਨਹਿ ਪਾਇਓ ॥ਨੇਤ ਨੇਤ ਮੁਖਚਾਰ ਬਤਾਇਓ॥੫॥
ਕੋਟਿ ਇੰਦ੍ਰ ਉਪਇੰਦ੍ਰ ਬਨਾਏ॥ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਰੁਦ੍ਰ ਉਪਾਇ ਖਪਾਏ ॥Brahma and Vishnu are unable to explain God’s expanse. Brahma who has four faces can only utter that none is equal or alike God. God has been creating millions of Indras and Vamanas. God has been creating and killing millions Brahmas and Shivas. (Akal Ustat, Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
“The realm of Shiva, the realms of Brahma and Indra as well – no place anywhere is permanent.” (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 214)
“The Realm of Shiva shall also perish.” (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 237)
“Even Shiva and Brahma are afraid of this pleasure, but I have judged that pleasure to be true. Even sages like Sanak and Naarad, and the thousand-headed serpent, did not see the mind within the body.” (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 330)
“My breath of life resides in Him, whose praises are sung by Shiva and Sanak and so many others.” (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 339)
“No one is more powerful than the she-serpent Maya, who deceived even Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.” (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 480)
“That man who chants “Shiva, Shiva”, and meditates on him, is riding on a bull, shaking a tambourine.” (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 874)
5) RSS says that Guru Gobind Singh Ji worshipped a Hindu Goddess (Devi)?
It has been stated so many times that there is only one God in Sikhism who has no shape. There is no other power than that of God. Then what’s the point of this Goddess again? Hinduism is a caste based system. Women have no rights in Hinduism. During the time of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, women were considered more inferior than the lowest person. Then how did they start worshipping this Goddess? What is the history behind it? No one knows who founded Hinduism not even Hindus. I ask them who founded Hinduism and how did female shapes as goddess enter Hinduism? Hindus worship stones in the shape of gods and goddess. Gurbani says:
“One who worships the Great Goddess Maya will be reincarnated as a woman, and not a man.” (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 874)
“Why worship gods and goddesses, O Siblings of Destiny? What can we ask of them? What can they give us? The stone gods are washed with water, O Siblings of Destiny, but they just sink in the water.”(Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 637)
If those stones sink in the water then how can they take you across the ocean life of and they do get dirty. If they are dirty then how can they clean your mind? The reason RSS says stupid things like these is because there is a story behind it but RSS changed it to suit their own needs. The story is something like this. Two Brahmins came to Guru Gobind Singh Ji and claimed that Devi (goddess) can be revealed or manifested by performing Hindu rituals and once she appears she will give great power to his follower. Guru Ji knew this was all false and blindly followed by Hindus. But Guru Ji wanted His Sikhs to see the reality. So He gave permission to Brahmins to start the rituals and money was spent by millions and given to Brahmins. After couple of years passed, nothing happened and Guru Ji asked Brahmins the reason for this. They said that goddess was not happy and she wanted a sacrifice of a noble man. Brahmins were actually pointing at Baba Ajit Singh Ji. But Guru Ji said, “Who is more noble than you, Brahmin.” Hearing this Brahmins said, “Then who will perform the ritual.” Guru Ji said, “One of you sacrifice and other one continue the ritual.” Brahmins were shocked to hear this and before next morning they both ran away. Guru Ji taught His Sikhs to believe in one God always and never follow ritualism. Then Guru Ji put rest of the stuff in the fire and there high flames. Guru Ji then took His sword and said, “My this sword as goddess will kill the cruel and fight the oppression. My sword is my power.” Guru Ji referred to His sword as Chandi, Bhavani, Durga, Kali, and Bhagvati because it was the power of sword that Guru Ji took to fight evil doers and won the battles. The misconception of goddess worship only came into existence in the books written after 1752 which was 44 years after Guru Gobind Singh Ji departed from this world. If the goddess actually appeared and helped Guru Ji to establish Khalsa Panth then why such an important event in the life of Guru Ji was not mentioned in the earlier written books? Guru Ji Himself did not mention it in any of his writings and only praised one almighty Waheguru for his help to establish Khalsa Panth. If goddess can really appear then why don’t Hindus reveal her and tell her to fix the economy of India and make it the richest country? Why couldn’t they save their women from Muslims? Why couldn’t they fight Muslims and British? Why did they have to beg Sikhs to save their religion? They have no answers.
6) RSS says that Guru Gobind Singh Ji created Khalsa by the help of Brahmin Kali Charan Das, and Hari Das?
RSS has its own fairy tales. RSS says that there was very dark time during Moughal sovereignty. Muslims were killing Hindus and forcibly converting them to Islam. Pandit Kali Charan Das advised Guru Gobind Singh Ji that the only way to stop this oppression was to create an army that would fight Muslims. Then he told Guru Gobind Singh Ji how to start an army step by step which is Khalsa. But my question is if Hindus already knew that an army should be created then why didn’t they create it themselves? Why couldn’t they save themselves? Creator is always greater than his creation. Then why couldn’t just Kali Das save his community? Why did he want Guru Gobind Singh Ji to do it? This fairy tale is no where found in any Hindu and Sikh historical texts. There existed no Kali Charan Das or Hari Das that advised Guru Ji otherwise such an important event wouldn’t have been ignored by scholars. Where was this Brahmin from? What was his background? Where did he go to school at and who was his teacher? What exactly made him reach the decision that a new army was needed? Why couldn’t he use his hindu maratha warriors or turn the upper caste Brahmins into warriors? According to varna system Kshatriyas are the defenders not lower caste people. Majority of the people in Khalsa Panth were and are from lower caste background. If Khalsa Panth is really part of hinduism then are hindus willing to go against varna system and accept “lower caste” army as their defenders? How far is the RSS willing to go? If Sikhs are accepted as Hindus then all of their beliefs must be accepted and followed by the Hindus? It sounds easy for hindus but it is not. The Khalsa army is follower of an “idol breaker”, rejects the class system, Vedas, puranas, all other hindu texts, and avatar theory. Hindus must denounce idol worship and reject the authority of their holy texts. This Khalsa army gives equality to women, the women that are called inferior and are abused in hindu temples by Brahmins in the name of purity. Is RSS willing to accept this army that rejects every belief of Hinduism inside out? The whole purpose of RSS to spread the false stories is to get innocent and ignorant Sikhs to follow Hinduism and destroy the distinct appearance and unique message of Sikhi. Sikhs become part of Hinduism only when they start following Hinduism and give up their Sikhi beliefs.
According to Guru Gobind Singh Ji Khalsa army was established by the will of Waheguru (God).
ਆਗਿਆ ਭਈ ਅਕਾਲ ਕੀ ਤਬੈ ਚਲਾਇਓ ਪੰਥ ॥
From the will of God, Khalsa Panth is established. (Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
ਖਾਲਸਾ ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਕੀ ਫੌਜ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਿਓ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਪ੍ਰਮਾਤਮ ਕੀ ਮੌਜ ॥
Khalsa is the military of God. Khalsa was created according to the orders ofWaheguru (God). (Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
Bhai Gurdas Singh Ji also supports the fact that establishing Khalsa Army was will of Waheguru and therefore Khalsa belongs to Waheguru.
ਗੁਰੁਬਰ ਅਕਾਲ ਕੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਸਿਉਂ ਉਪਜਿਓ ਬਿਗਿਆਨਾ॥
ਤਬ ਸਹਿਜੇ ਰਚਿਓ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਸਾਬਤ ਮਰਦਾਨਾ॥
ਇਉਂ ਉਠੇ ਸਿੰਘ ਭਭਕਾਰਿ ਕੈ ਸਭ ਜਗ ਡਰਪਾਨਾ॥
ਮੜੀ ਦੇਵਲ ਗੋਰ ਮਸੀਤ ਢਾਹਿ ਕੀਏ ਮੈਦਾਨਾ॥ (ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ, ਵਾਰ 41)
Bhai Gurdas Singh Ji further states that the purpose of raising arms was not to protect hindus but to fight for truth and justice, establish peace in the world and spread the true name of Waheguru.
ਇਉਂ ਤੀਸਰ ਮਜਹਬ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਉਪਜਿਓ ਪਰਧਾਨਾ॥
ਜਿਨਿ ਗੁਰੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਕੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਸਿਉ ਗਹਿ ਖੜਗ ਦਿਖਾਨਾ॥
ਤਿਹ ਸਭ ਦੁਸਟਨ ਕਉ ਛੇਦਿ ਕੈ ਅਕਾਲ ਜਪਾਨਾ॥
ਫਿਰ ਐਸਾ ਹੁਕਮ ਅਕਾਲ ਕਾ ਜਗ ਮੈ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਾਨਾ॥ (ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ, ਵਾਰ 41)
There are many other texts that refer to Khalsa as an army of Waheguru. Only two are given below.
ਪਾਂਚ ਕੀ ਕੁਸੰਗਤਿ ਤਜਿ ਸੰਗਤ ਸੋਂ ਪ੍ਰੀਤੀ ਕਰੈ,
ਦਯਾ ਔਰ ਧਰਮ ਧਾਰਿ ਤਿਆਗੈ ਸਬ ਲਾਲਸਾ ।
ਹੁੱਕਾ ਨਾ ਪੀਵੈ ਸੀਸ ਦਾੜ੍ਹੀ ਨਾ ਮੁੰਡਾਵੈ, ਸੋ ਤੋ
ਵਾਹ ਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ । (ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰ ਸੋਭਾ, ਸੈਣ ਸਿੰਘ)
ਤਨ ਮਨ ਪੰਥ ਮਿਰਜਾਦ ਕਰ, ‘ਸਿੰਘ’ ਸੰਙਿਆ ਤੇਜ ਨਿਵਾਸ ।
ਸਭ ਦੇਸਨ ਕੋ ਹੁਕਮ ਪਠਾਇਆ । ਖੰਡੇ ਕੀ ਪਾਹੁਲ ਫੁਰਮਾਯਾ ।
‘ਸਿੰਘ’ ਸੰਙਿਆ ਕਰਿ ਨਾਮ ਬੁਲਾਵੋ । ਜਪੋ ਅਕਾਲ ਸਦਾ ਸੁਖ ਪਾਵੋ ।
ਅਚਰਜ ਬੀਰ ਪੰਥ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਕੀਆ । ਦੇਗ ਤੇਗ ਦੋਨੋ ਤਿਨ ਦੀਆ । (ਮਹਿਮਾ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼, ਬਾਵਾ ਸਵਰੂਪ ਚੰਦ)
This clearly means that Khalsa appeared by the will of God. If Khalsa was started according to the will of a Brahmin then Guru Ji would’ve called it “an army of a Brahmin” and not “an army of Waheguru”. God wanted to establish an army that could fight oppression and cruel rulers of the time, an army that could fight for truth and right cause and establish peace all around it. Khalsa army has done and is doing as expected.
7) RSS says that Guru Gobind Singh Ji was born to protect Hindu religion. For this purpose Khalsa Panth was created. Since Hindu religion is now safe, Sikhs should return back to their original religion Hinduism?
Another lie of RSS again. Guru Ji states the purpose of His birth in His own words:
“For this purpose was I born, understand all you pious people, to uphold righteousness, to protect the worthy and to overcome and destroy evildoers.” (Guru Gobind Singh, Bachittar Natak)
Guru Ji came to this world to preach the true message. It is clear from his own words that his mission was to destroy the evildoers and establish the rule of peace. For this purpose Khalsa Panth was established. Khalsa was not created to protect Hinduism. Khalsa was created to fight for truth and justice. Khalsa is a separate nation and has no ties with any particular religion. Khalsa has been fighting for truth ever since it was established. During that time Muslims rulers were cruel and Khalsa fought them to save helpless Hindus. Then Khalsa fought British and freed the country. Khalsa Panth is protector of the weak, truth and justice. If Khalsa was established to protect Hindus then what do we make out of the 1984 attack on Darbar Sahib? Hindus attacked their own “protectors” who not only saved their religion, women and heritage but also ensured their survival. Is this the right way for them to show their appreciation? Khalsa was not established to protect Hinduism otherwise Hindus would never have attacked Sikhi.
Why should Khalsa become Hindus when Khalsa was not even established to protect Hinduism? Sikhs are a separate nation then why should they merge themselves into Hinduism? It is Sikhs who saved Hinduism so shouldn’t Hindus become Sikhs? Hindus couldn’t save themselves on their own from foreign invaders in the past then what is the guarantee that they will in the future? Shouldn’t they join the religion that saved them? If Hindus can save themselves then why don’t they fight Pakistan? How come 98% of people in the Indian army are Sikhs and these Sikhs always fight whether war is in Punjab, Bangladesh, Nepal or Kashmir? The truth is Hindus can’t fight. They are scared and have no guts to fight. Muslims used to capture Hindu women and take them back to Afghanistan to sell them. It was Sikhs who fought and saved them. Where were Hindus then? Why couldn’t they save their women? They say Khalsa was created to save Hinduism but Hinduism was in real danger during the time of ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Why did Kashmiri Pandits come to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji for help? Had Guru Ji not helped them, Hinduism would not have survived. Guru Ji sacrificed in 1675. This proves that even before Khalsa Hinduism was in danger and only Sikhs saved them.
In 1947 India became a free country and Hindus enjoyed freedom after 1200 years. They had always been under rule of foreign powers. Hindus became free because of Sikhs. 93% of the people who sacrificed to free India were Sikhs. When did Hindus save themselves? If they can save themselves then they should free their Mandirs from Muslims’ control in India. Many cows are slaughtered in U.P. everyday by Muslims. Many statues still lie in the floors of Muslim Mosques. Why don’t Hindus get them out? Those statues have been there from the time of Aurangzeb. About 90% of Muslims in India are from Hindus who were forcibly converted by Aurangzeb and almost all Muslims in Kashmir are from Hindu background. Why don’t Hindus go tell them to convert? Hindus have killed many Christians in south India and raped nuns. This is how Hindus show their bravery. For how long can they oppress people? If Sikhs could free hindus then surely Sikhs can free themselves too. Sikhs were born after accepting death. More our blood is spilled more land we will take over. It is up to them how much blood they want to spill and how many heads they require before they lose their country. Khalsa has always been victorious and always will be. Sacrifices are backbone of Khalsa. Waheguru established Khalsa army to establish Khalsa rule in the world and it shall happen.
8) Guru Gobind Singh Ji in Bachittar Natak claims His family ancestry to Lav and Kush(sons of Rama) which means Guru Gobind Singh Ji was a Hindu therefore His followers (Sikhs) are Hindus as well.
This argument does not hold any ground when we evaluate it with some rationality. Many Sikhs take an easy approach and reject the authority of Bachittar Natak but this way we will have to reject everything we don’t like or don’t agree with. I do not want to discuss authenticity or validity of Dasam Granth here but our objective is to see if Guru Ji’s lineage really makes Him a Hindu.
a) As I have explained in one of the previous questions that family background has nothing to do with religion. Religion is not inherent. If someone doesn’t follow anything of Hindu religion and does not even hold a single belief of Hindu religion then how can they be called a Hindu? On the contrary Guru Gobind Singh Ji claimed himself to be “an idol breaker”. Guru Ji rejected wearing sacred thread, caste and varna system, idol worship, authority of Vedas, puranas, and simaritis, 330 millions gods including Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma which are the core belief system of Hinduism.
ਮਨਮ ਕੁਸ਼ਤਨਮ ਕੋਹੀਯਾਂ ਬੁਤ ਪਰਸਤ ॥
ਕਿ ਓ ਬੁਤ ਪਰਸਤੰਦੁ ਮਨ ਬੁਤ ਸ਼ਿਕਸਤ ॥95॥
I have killed hill Rajas (kings) who are bent on mischief. They are stone idol worshippers,
I break idols and I worship one Lord. (Zaffarnama, Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
ਕਾਹੇ ਕਉ ਪੂਜਤ ਪਾਹਨ ਕਉ ਕਛੁ ਪਾਹਨ ਮੈ ਪਰਮੇਸੁਰ ਨਾਹੀ ॥ ਤਾਹੀ ਕੋ ਪੂਜ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਕਰਿ ਕੈ ਜਿਹ ਪੂਜਤ ਹੀ ਅਘ ਓਘ ਮਿਟਾਹੀ ॥
Why do you worship stones? The Lord is not in any stones. Worship that Lord by whose adoration is destroyed all conflicts. (Akal Ustat, Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
There are many more quotes in Dasam Bani that reject idol worship but why doesn’t RSS follow Guru Ji’s teachings and give up idol worship? Guru Gobind Singh Ji established Khalsa Panth that was unique and distinct from Hindus and Muslims.
ਨਿਜ ਪੰਥ ਚਲਾਇਓ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਧਰਿ ਤੇਜ ਕਰਾਰਾ॥ਸਿਰ ਕੇਸ ਧਾਰਿ ਗਹਿ ਖੜਗ ਕੋ ਸਭ ਦੁਸਟ ਪਛਾਰਾ॥
ਸੀਲ ਜਤ ਕੀ ਕਛ ਪਹਰਿ ਪਕੜੋ ਹਥਿਆਰਾ॥ਸਚ ਫਤੇ ਬੁਲਾਈ ਗੁਰੂ ਕੀ ਜੀਤਿਓ ਰਣ ਭਾਰਾ॥ (ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ)
Is RSS really willing to call someone (Guru Ji in this case) a Hindu who openly rejected Hinduism on all grounds and formed a new community with belief system that was entirely opposed to Hinduism?
b) If family ancestry determines the religion then it is impossible for Christians to be Christians since Jesus was from Jewish family and it is equally impossible for Muslims to be Muslims who originated from Quereshi Christians and Jews. Furthermore, why those (Christians and Muslims) who are converts from Hindus, not called Hindus? If someone is born in a family in which the father is a Hindu and mother is a Christian how would the religion be determined of the new born baby? If a Christian, who believes in Jesus and follows the teachings of Bible, claims his great-great-great grandfather to be from a Hindu family does that mean he is also a Hindu? If no then why does the same not apply to Sikhs? Nonetheless Hindus should very well familiarize themselves with Sikh way of life before making such derogatory and barbaric comments. A person is never born as a Sikh. Only after taking Amrit and following Rehat prescribed by Panj Pyare one becomes a Sikh. At the time of initiation he/she loses all ties with family background, caste and previous way of life. A Sikh is given new way of life and his father and mother become Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Mata Sahib Kaur Ji. Keep in mind that Guru Gobind Singh Ji also took the same Amrit in the same manner as other Sikhs did. Therefore, Guru Gobind Singh Ji also lost his ties with his family background and thus his ancestry had nothing significance in the life of Guru Gobind Singh not that it had any significance to begin with.
c) Even if for the sake of argument we assume that Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s ancestry does make him and Sikhs Hindus, RSS traps itself in a very complicated situation. RSS and founding fathers of India make a claim that “Sikhs, a sect of Hindus, are more civilized and Sikh religion is better than all other sects of Hinduism.” Sikhs are called “protectors of Hindu faith.” Now one would only wonder that if Sikhs are “more civilized” and are “Hindus” then why RSS and other Hindu organizations don’t preach the “better form of Hinduism”? Why don’t they propagate Amrit and Khalsa Rehat? Why don’t they join their “protectors” and become saint-soldiers? Why don’t they claim Guru Gobind Singh Ji the father of nation? Can Sikhs really be from a religion whose father is Gandhi and mother is a cow? Since when did Hindus become a nation and since when did Hinduism become a religion? RSS has no answers to these questions. It is also argued that Khalsa was started to protect Hindu faith and since Hindus are safe there is no need for Khalsa anymore but is it not backward and barbaric to even think of giving up a better and more civilized “sect” to go back to an old form of Hinduism whose followers were ruled by foreign invaders for 1200 years? If Sikhs are Hindus then Guru Granth Sahib Ji is their holy scriptures and Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) is one of their holiest places. In 1984 the followers (Hindus) attacked their own holy place and destroyed their own sovereignty (Akal Takhat Sahib). They desecrated their own holy scripture (Guru Granth Sahib Ji) and smoked cigars inside the complex. Hindus dishonored their own community’s (Sikh) women. Why such hostility and hatred towards Sikhs exists if they are Hindus? Can a community really attack their own place of worship and dishonor their own women? Even cave men did not attack their group members. If Sikhs are actually Hindus then why are they called a minority? Why only Sikh Gurdwaras are attacked and Guru Granth Sahib Ji is disrespected? Why only Sikh men are called “terrorists” and only Sikh women are dishonored? If Sikhs are Hindus then Punjab is a Hindu state which means all the demands raised by “better hindus” regarding Punjab’s autonomy, capital, water and electricity should be met. If Sikhs are Hindus then Hindus should adopt Gurmukhi Lipi and make it mandatory for every Indian to learn Gurmukhi and study Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Punjabi should be declared national language simply because it is the language of “more civilized” people.
This could go on but RSS has no answers to the above listed questions and arguments. Their mouths are shut because they didn’t think it through before attacking Sikhs with such questions. Sikhs are a separate nation and Sikhi is a separate religion. It is only foolish and stupidities on their part to first claim Sikhi as part of Hinduism and then not follow and adopt it.
9) RSS says in Guru Granth Sahib God’s name “Waheguru is mentioned only 17 times whereas God’s name “Raam” is mentioned some couple hundred times which means “Raam” is given more significance by the Gurus and Gurus accepted Rama as a God?
There is mention of God’s name Raam in Guru Granth Sahib as well as Brahm, Waheguru, Sahib and others but they directly imply to God not to any person. God’s name “Raam” in Gurbani is not as same as Hindu Lord “Rama”. Guru Ji never accepted him as a God because he was a human being. Before he was born there existed God’s name “Raam”. There was a saint named Valmick who used to be a thief. One day he met a group of saints and he requested them to lead him on the right path so those saints gave him the name “Raam” to meditate upon. According to Hinduism it was Valmick who wrote Ramayana 10,000 years before Rama was born. This means that there existed God’s name ‘Raam’ before Hindu lord Rama was born. God’s name was Raam and when Rama was born his father named him after God’s name. In Sikhi God’s name revealed by Guru Ji is “Waheguru”. So if you name your son “Waheguru Singh” this doesn’t make him God at all. He stays a human being. Therefore hindu lord Rama was not a god but a mere human being.
Now let’s investigate the truth behind this “God” Rama. Rama, son of King Dasrath and brother of Lachman was married to Sita. He had to leave his kingdom for 14 years and live in exile.
A Warrior?
When Rama was exiled, he shot a king named Balifrom behind and killed him. What a coward? What kind of bravery is that? Why would God attack someone from behind? This was a complete betrayal by Rama in the battle field. When Rama started fighting with Ravana to get his wife back his brother Lacchman passed out. He started crying and told Hanuman (a monkey God) that if his brother dies he will die with him by committing suicide. The truth is NO brave man ever cries in the battle field. This shows that Rama lost himself in the battle field which shows weakness of mind and heart. According to Hindu historians, Rama was helped by all the gods and goddesses in the battlefield. What kind of a God needs help in the battlefield? Skipping ahead, Rama wins the battle, gets his wife back and returns to his kingdom. Someone who attacks from behind, cries in the battle field, tries to commit suicide can never be called a brave warrior. Only weak minded cowards have these characteristics.
A Great King?
In the kingdom of Rama practice of Sati, burning of the widow with her dead husband was widely accepted. Sacrifice of horse, cow and even human being was considered a religious ritual. Lower caste people and women were looked upon as inferior. A Shudra named Shambhook (a lower caste) was killed by Rama just because he started worshipping God through meditation. This proves that Rama failed to be a true king because he had no understanding of fair justice.
A Good Husband?
According to Balmick Ramayana, One day Rama listened to a washer man saying that Rama’s wife was kidnapped and stayed with a kidnapper for a year and therefore she became impure. On hearing this Rama quickly went back to his palace and kicked his wife Sita out of his kingdom while she was pregnant with his baby. Now let me ask you, is this what God does?? The answer is NO. This clearly proves that he was not a God rather just a simple human being. He fought for his wife for a year and then suddenly listening to some washer man he kicked her out when she was pregnant. He didn’t even trust his wife. Sita had to stay in jungles and live a poor life while her husband stayed in palaces enjoying his life.
Even Ravana was better than Rama. When Ravana kidnapped Sita, he kept her in a separate palace. There exists no account of Ravana trying to disrespect Sita in any way. He always persuaded her to marry him but other than that she was not tortured or raped. On the other hand, Rama and his brother Lachman not only lied to Ravana’s sister Sroopnekha but also disrespected her by cutting off her nose.
A coward, liar and a deceitful person like Rama who was not even a good king, a brave warrior and a good husband cannot be given the status of an Avatar. Someone like him does not even deserve to be praised by a regular human being and RSS is trying to mislead Sikhs into thinking that he is praised by our Guru Sahibans in Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Rama preached no new or unique message to humanity and wrote no religious book. Instead he followed Brahmins in jungles begging from house to house and followed everything that was being practiced back then. His contribution to humanity and society is of no value. It is clear from this discussion that God’s name ‘Raam’ is very different from hindu lord Rama.
Many hindus compare Guru Gobind Singh Ji with Rama but it is only foolish to do such thing. Guru Gobind Singh Ji was a great warrior who always faced the enemy and never attacked from behind. His message inspired thousands of weak and defenseless people to become fearless warriors. He started the freedom movement that ended tyrant rules of Mughals, Pathans and British. He gave equal rights to women and embraced everyone regardless of caste. He renounced all of the old rituals and gave new way of life to people. He started a new nation that would uphold the Dharma, and fight for truth and justice. Guru Gobind Singh Ji fought for humanity and truth. He sacrificed His father, mother and four sons but never shed a single drop of tear. Instead, He celebrated their martyrdom. Hindu lord Rama is no where near the greatest of all Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Rama failed to be a loyal and a faithful husband, a wise king who would treat everyone equally, and a true warrior. He possessed no quality that can be compared to Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Guru Ji embraced everyone whereas Rama abandoned his own wife then how do people expect that he will embrace them? Only Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the greatest. Rama, Krishna and all others seek dust of feet of Guru Ji.
Let’s look at what Guru Ji says about hindu lord Rama.
ਰਾਮੁ ਗਇਓ ਰਾਵਨੁ ਗਇਓ ਜਾ ਕਉ ਬਹੁ ਪਰਵਾਰੁ ॥
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਥਿਰੁ ਕਛੁ ਨਹੀ ਸੁਪਨੇ ਜਿਉ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥੫੦॥
Raam Chand passed away, as did Raawan, even though he had lots of relatives.
Says Nanak, nothing lasts forever; the world is like a dream. (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 1429)
This shows that Guru Ji considered Rama and Rawana as regular humans. Guru Ji saw them both as one. So this means that Hindu lord Rama is not God.
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੁ ਹੋਰਿ ਕੇਤੇ ਰਾਮ ਰਵਾਲ ॥
O Nanak, the Lord is fearless and formless; myriads of others, like Rama, are mere dust before Him. (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 464)
ਕਾਹੂੰ ਨੇ ਰਾਮ ਕਹਯੋ ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨਾ ਕਹੁ ਕਾਹੂੰ ਮਨੈ ਅਵਤਾਰਨ ਮਾਨਯੋ ॥
ਫੋਕਟ ਧਰਮ ਬਿਸਾਰ ਸਭੈ ਕਰਤਾਰ ਹੀ ਕਉ ਕਰਤਾ ਜੀਅ ਜਾਨਯੋ ॥੧੨॥
Someone calls him Ram or Krishna and someone believes in His incarnations, but my mind has forsaken all useless actions and has accepted only the One Creator. ||12|| (33 Sawayeas, Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
ਜੌ ਕਹੌ ਰਾਮ ਅਜੋਨਿ ਅਜੈ ਅਤਿ ਕਾਹੇ ਕੌ ਕੌਸ਼ਲ ਕੁੱਖ ਜਯੋ ਜੂ ॥
ਕਾਲਹੂੰ ਕਾਲ ਕਹੈ ਜਿਹਿ ਕੌ ਕਿਹਿ ਕਾਰਣ ਕਾਲ ਤੇ ਦੀਨ ਭਯੋ ਜੂ ॥
If we consider Ram, the Lord as Unborn, then how did he take brith from the womb of Kaushalya ? He, who is said to be the KAL (destroyer) of KAL (death), then why did none become subjugated himself before KAL? (33 Sawayeas, Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
ਏਕ ਸਿਵ ਭਏ ਏਕ ਗਏ ਏਕ ਫੇਰ ਭਏ ਰਾਮਚੰਦ੍ਰ ਕ੍ਰਿਸਨ ਕੇ ਅਵਤਾਰ ਭੀ ਅਨੇਕ ਹੈਂ ॥
There was one Shiva, who passed away and another one came into being; there are many incarnations of Ramchandra and Krishna. (Akal Ustat, Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
God’s name “Raam” in Guru Granth Sahib does not refer to Hinduism because this name existed thousands years before Hindu lord Rama was born. God’s name is Waheguru in Sikhi as it is “God” in English. Every name mentioned in Guru Granth Sahib Ji which pertains to God is written in a way to signify characteristic of God and these names should never be associated with any human being or deity.
10) Baba Banda Singh Bahadur never took Amrit and remained a Hindu.
It is known fact that Baba Banda Singh was an Amritdhari Sikh of Guru Ji. His first name was Lachman Dev.
At very young age Baba Banda Singh who previously was Lachman Dev had a life altering experience. This occurred after he killed the female deer that he was hunting. On closer inspection of his kill, Lachman Dev noticed that this deer was pregnant. He became very saddened and realized the great sins that he has been committing. Consequently Lachman Das left his house and joined a group of Hindu saints. One of the Hindu saints changed Lachman Das’s name to Madho Das. He spent many years in meditation with these Hindu saints. Later he met Guru Gobind Singh Ji, after this encounter he gave up his Hindu way of life and adopted the Sikh faith. He was given Amrit by Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his name was changed to Banda Singh. Guru Ji gave his weapons to Banda Singh and ordered him to go to Punjab and establish Khalsa Raj while obtaining justice for all regardless of their faith.
Baba Banda Singh upon reaching Punjab punished Suba Sarhind Wazir Khan, who ordered the brutal heartless execution of Guru Sahib’s youngest sons. Baba Ji went on to conquer Sarhind with his mighty Khalsa Army. He was not only the first Sikh but the first human being ever to take over Sarhind. Ahmad Shah Abdali invaded India nine times but not once did he ever dare to attack Sarhind. The Fort of Sarhind was considered “invincible” due to having “unbreakable” walls. Baba Banda Singh was the first Sikh to established Khalsa Raj (Sikh rule) in Punjab. He minted currency in the name of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Even the Pathans started requesting him that they be enlisted in the Sikh army. People of other areas would write to Banda Singh pleading with him to invade and take over their areas, as they had heard that all person regardless their caste, creed or color felt the glow of freedom under Khalsa Raj (Sikh Rule). Khalsa Raj was welcomed by all.
After eight years of rule and seven months of war Baba Banda Singh was captured alive along with 200 Sikhs. After seven months of battle only 200 Sikhs were captured. The Mughal army considered this a big embarrassment as a small force had not only gained victory over one of their strongest holdouts but fought and held back the complete might of the imperial army for 7 months. Consequently the order was given that all Sikhs be hunted down and killed. Mughal forces began a campaign of arresting and killing every Sikh that they could find. About 35,000 Sikhs were killed during this period and their heads were loaded on the carts headed to Delhi. Two thousand heads of Sikh men, young and old were hung on spears and 700 Sikhs were kept alive. This march of death went to its final destination of Delhi. Leaders of the Mughal Empire ordered that 100 Sikhs should be beheaded daily. Baba Banda Singh’s son’s heart was taken out, which the cruel butchers tried to force into the mouth of Baba Bandha Singh. Not being able to accomplish this horrendous act of savagery they threw his son’s guts all over him, in a futile attempt to break his Sikhi Spirit at last, his turn came and he was martyred in a very cruel manner. For his unparalleled feats of bravery people gave him the title of “Bahadur” or brave. Today Sikhs proudly and respectfully refer to their hero as Baba Bandha Singh Ji “Bahadur”.
Currently the RSS is trying to make ridicules and false claims over the first Sikh who shook the roots of Mughal Empire. Some points which they need to contemplate and questions which need to be answered by this organization which is in the process of rewriting Sikh history is:
1) If Baba Banda Singh Ji Bahadur never took Amrit from Guru Ji then there was no need to change his name. Why did he not keep the name of Madho Das? People called him Banda Singh Bahadur not Madho Das Bahadur.
2) If he wasn’t Amritdhari then Guru Ji certainly would not have given his weapons to him. Why did he not have Hindu weapon “Trishool”?
3) Guru Ji himself took Amrit and made it mandatory for all Sikhs to take Amrit then why did Guru Ji not initiate Madho Das in the Khalsa Panth?
4) If Banda Singh never took Amrit and remained a Hindu then why did he not take his Hindu followers with him? Why didn’t the other Hindus join him?
5) When he was captured why only Sikhs were arrested and martyred with him? No Hindu death has been recorded during that period. Why?
6) Hindu hill kings always sided with the Mughal government. If Banda Singh was a Hindu then why didn’t the hill kings join him?
7) Why did Banda Singh mint coins in the name of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Ji? Why not Hindu gods Rama or Krishna?
8) If he was a Hindu then why did he not join Marathas or other Hindu kingdoms in the South? Why did he have to join Sikhs?
Guru Ji had many brave Sikhs like Bhai Daya Singh Ji, Bhai Baaj Singh Ji and Baba Deep Singh Ji. Guru Ji could’ve sent any one of these Sikhs as a Sikh army leader to Punjab. Sending a Hindu as a Sikh leader was totally out of the question.
Some historians have started writing that Banda Bairagi (real name Banda Singh) along with his Hindu army and Marathas came to Guru Ji to help Him avenge the death of his two youngest sons. This statement has no historical proof. Not a single name of a Hindu has been mentioned in the history who helped Baba Banda Singh whereas all of the army men and Baba Ji’s helpers have “Singh” as their last name. Even if we assume that Baba Banda Singh came to Guru Ji with his Hindu army then RSS ad Hindu historians are obligated to answer some of the following questions with some solid proofs.
1) If Baba Banda Singh never became a Sikh then who changed his name “Madho Das” to Banda Singh? Under what circumstances did he or anyone else change his name?
2) If he was being helped by Hindus, Marathas and Rajputs then why didn’t he go to Mathra and Kashi to liberate their Hindu temples? Why did he go to Punjab? If he went to Punjab only to obtain justice then why did he not fight for justice for Hindus who were being killed everyday all across India? It is a well known fact that thousands of Hindus were being killed and forced to convert to Islam everyday. Why didn’t “Banda Bairagi” and his Hindu army fight for their own community members? It is foolish to believe that Hindu army came forward to fight because of the death of two Sikhs but did nothing when their own brothers and sisters were getting killed in large numbers.
3) If Hindu kings, and Rajputs helped him then why are their names not mentioned in history?
4) If he won the battles by the help of Hindu armies then why did he not appoint Hindus as generals and leaders of the areas he took over? All of the generals have Sikh names such as Ranjit Singh, Zorawar Singh, Arjan Singh etc.
5) Where was the Hindu army when foreign invaders like Mohammad Gori and Mahmood Gaznavi attacked India, destroyed thousands of Hindu temples, and enslaved thousands of Hindu women and children? Many times it became very difficult to sell a Hindu couple (man and woman) for only two rupees. During those times Rajputs and Marathas were proud to offer their daughters to Muslim invaders and to even consider that these same traitors of the country came forward to “help” the bravest of all Guru Gobind Singh Ji would be senseless and idiotic.
The fact is that Banda Singh was a Sikh and not a Hindu. There were some Hindu kingdoms that existed at the time only because those Hindu kings had offered their daughters to the Mughal rulers just to save their kingdoms. Just the mere thought of fighting for their rights never dared enter their minds let alone fighting for freedom of nation. It is foolish to believe that the Hindu community which has been slaves for over 1000 years produced only one brave warrior for a few years and then chose the method of “non-violence” after 200 years. There is no concrete evidence to prove that Banda Singh never took Amrit. On the contrary Bhatt Vahis, one of the most authentic works in Sikh history, prove beyond the doubt that Madho Das took Amrit and became Banda Singh.
ਮਾਧੋ ਦਾਸ ਨੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਆਗਿਆ ਪਾਇ ਹਰੀ ਦਾਸ ਦੱਖਨੀਂ ਕੋ ਬੁਲਾਇ ਡੇਰਾ ਉਸ ਕੇ ਹਵਾਲੇ ਕੀਆ । ਆਪ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੇ ਗੈਲ ਗੁਰੂ-ਅਸਥਾਨ ਤੇ ਆਇ ਗਿਆ ।……ਭਾਈ ਦਯਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੇ ਮਾਧੋਦਾਸ ਸੇ ਕਹਾ, ਸੰਤ ਜੀ! ਤਿਆਰੀ ਕਰੀਏ, ਤੁਸਾਂ ਕੋ ਖਾਂਡੇ ਪਾਹੁਲ ਦੇਨੀ ਹੈ । ਸਤਿਗੁਰਾਂ ਆਪਨੇ ਦਸਤ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ ਸੇ ਕੰਘਾ, ਕਰਦ, ਕੜਾ ਤੇ ਕੱਛਾ ਪਹਿਨਾਏ । ਸਿਰ ਤੇ ਛੋਟੀ ਦਸਤਾਰ-ਕੇਸਕੀ ਸਜਾ ਬੈਰਾਗੀ ਸੇ ਸਿੰਘ ਰੂਪ ਮੇਂ ਲੈ ਆਂਦਾ । ਮਾਧੋਦਾਸ ਢਾਲਾ, ਸ੍ਰੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਗਾਤਰੇ ਸਜਾ ਨੇਜਾ ਪਕਰ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਸੇ ਨਮਸਕਾਰ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਸਾਮ੍ਹੇਂ ਖਲਾ ਹੋਇ ਗਿਆ । ਸਤਿਗੁਰਾਂ ਇਸੇ ਭਾਈ ਦਯਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਆਦਿ ਸਿਖਾਂ ਕੋ ਗੈਲ ਲੈ ਆਪਨੇ ਪਾਵਨ ਹਾਥੋਂ ਸੇ ਖਾਂਡੇ ਕੀ ਪਾਹੁਲ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਬੈਰਾਗੀ ਸੇ ਸਿੰਘ ਸਜਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ । ਸ੍ਰੀ ਮੁਖ ਥੀਂ ਮਾਧੋਦਾਸ ਸੇ ਬੰਦਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਨਾਮ ਰਾਖਾ, ਸਿੰਘਾਂ ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ ਕੇ ਜੈਕਾਰਿਆਂ ਸੇ ਅਸਮਾਨ ਗੁੰਜਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ।
“Carrying out the command of the Guru, Madho Das handed over control of his sanctuary to one of his followers Hari Das Dhakni…..Bhai Daya Singh said to Madho Das, “Sant Ji, get ready as you will be blessed with the gift of holy nectar from the double edged sword”. With fatherly love Guru Sahib blessed Madho Das with a Kangha, Kirpan, Kara, and Kashera. Completing the final transformation from Bairagi to the image of a Singh, Guru Sahib tied a small turban-keski on the head of Madho Das. Standing in front of Guru Sahib with kirpan in this gatra and spear in his hand Madho Das began bowing to Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The Panjh Piyarehs, which included Guru Sahib himself, Bhai Daya Singh, and other Gursikhs administered the gift holy nectar from the double edged sword therefore transforming him from a Bairagi to a Khalsa of the Guru. After Guru Sahib changed the name of Madho Das to Bandha Singh, the Singhs powerfully shouted the Khalsa battle cry “Sat Sri Akal”, which shook the heavens.”
There are many other proofs that show that Baba Banda Singh in fact took Amrit and became a Sikh.
Bansavali Nama of Ten Gurus written by Bhai Kesar Singh Chibbar mention Banda Singh taking Amrit.
ਸਾਹਿਬ ਪਾਸੋਂ ਆਦਮੀ ਕਰਿ ਦਿਤੇ ਦੂਰ ।
ਦੋਹਾਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਕੀਤੀਆਂ ਆਪਸ ਵਿਚ ਬੈਠ ਕੇ ਮਸ਼ਕੂਰ ।
ਆਖਰ ਸਾਧੂ ਉਠ ਕੇ ਆ ਚਰਨੀ ਢੱਠਿਆ ।
ਪੁਹਾਲ ਗੁਰੂ ਕੀ ਛਕ ਕੇ ਬਣਿਆ ਸਿੰਘ ਹਠੀਆ । (ਬੰਸਾਵਲੀ ਨਾਮਾ, 1769)
Gur Panth Parkash written by Bhai Rattan Singh Bhangu (related to Bhai Mehtab Singh of 18th century) also proves that Banda Singh became a Sikh of Guru Ji.
ਤਬ ਉਨ ਕਹਯੋ ਮੈਂ ਬੰਦਾ ਤੋਰਾ, ਮੈਂ ਤੁਹਿ ਸਿੰਘ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੂੰ ਮੋਰਾ ।
ਪਿਛਲੀ ਬਾਤ ਮਾਫ ਜਮ ਕੀਜੈ । ਅਬ ਹੁਇ ਫਿਰ ਤੌ ਦੀ ਆਯੋ ਕੀਜੇ ॥੧੬॥
ਅਬ ਮੈਂ ਭਯੋ ਤੁਮਾਰੋ ਦਾਸ, ਸੋ ਮੈਂ ਕਰੋ ਹੁਕਮ ਹੋਇ ਖਾਸ ।
ਹਮ ਕੋ ਕੀਜੋ ਆਪਨੋ ਦਾਸ, ਜਾਨ ਜਾਨ ਰਾਖੋ ਨਿਜ ਪਾਸ ॥੧੭॥
…ਜੋ ਆਖੀ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਉਸੈ ਸੋ, ਉਨ ਲੀਨੀ ਮਾਨ ।
ਧਰਯੋ ਸੁ ‘ਬੰਦਾ’ ਨਾਮ ਤਿਸ, ਤਿਨ ਕਰ ਲੀਯੋ ਪ੍ਰਮਾਨ ॥੫॥ (ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰ ਪੰਥ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ, ਸਫਾ 126)
Tvareekh Punjab was written in 1881 by Kanhayeea Laal. On page 56 he mentions that “He (Madho Das) was a bairagi, but denounced his way of life and became a Sikh of Guru Gobind Singh.”
Ibratnama written in 1854 by Ali-Ud-Din Muftee on page 39 mentions:
ਬੰਦਾ ਦ-ਇਸਤਮਾਇ-ਈਂ ਮਾਅਨੀ ਅਜ ਦਿਲੋ ਜਾਨ ਇਰਾਦਤਮੰਦ ਸ਼ੁਦ-ਵ-ਪਾਹੁਲ ਗਰਿਫਤਾ ਮੁਸਤਾਦ ਹੰਗਾਮਾ ਓ ਮੁਹਾਰਕਾ ਗਰਦੀਦ ।
“After listening to all this, Banda became a Sikh after taking Amrit and offered himself to fight the war (of justice).”
Other books that mention Baba Banda Singh taking Amrit are as follows:
- Tvareekh-Iradat Khan (1741) written by Mirza Mubarikula Iradat Khan
- Tvareekh Muzafari (1787-88) written by Muhammad Ali Khan
- Chahar Gulshan Punjab (1855) written by Ganesh Das Badhera
- Tareekh Hindustan (1898) written by Mualvee Muhammad Jakaula.
These proofs are far more than enough to shut the mouths of RSS and its Hindu historians who are writing false version of Sikh history and misleading the innocent Sikhs into thinking that their brave warriors were Hindus.
Some Hindu historians have also started writing that “Banda Singh did not follow the rehat prescribed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji and appointed himself as the Guru. For going against the principles of the Sikh faith, Banda Singh was excommunicated from the Panth by Mata Sundari Ji, jathedar of Akal Takhat Sahib.”
This claim put forward by the RSS directly contradicts their first argument. First they wrote that Banda Singh never took Amrit and now they are saying he did not follow Sikh Rehat Maryada. I think that these RSS historians should at least lie consistently since speaking and living on the truth seems to be a nearly impossible task for them. First of all, Baba Banda Singh never gave up the Sikh way of life otherwise he wouldn’t have been captured along with other Sikhs. Second of all, no woman has ever been jathedar of Akal Takhat Sahib in Sikh history. In fact, Bhai Mani Singh Ji was in charge of Darbar Sahib and Akal Takhat Sahib at the time Sikhs were defeating the Mughals in battle and establishing Sikh rule under the Nishaan Sahib. Mata Ji stayed in Delhi until her death and never went back to Punjab therefore one can see that by living in Delhi she would be unable to manage the affairs of Akal Takhat Sahib. Such allegations are being made only to malign Sikh history and undermine the character of a true Sikh hero.
RSS is rewriting Sikh history and trying to assimilate it by mixing it with Hinduism. A country where majority of the population is uneducated would believe in such a false version of history but the Sikhs of Guru Gobind Singh Ji know their faith and history inside out. They will never fall for this trap. Sikhs are and will always be a distinct nation that will not allow its history to be blended into that of the Hindus.
At last, we all as Sikhs should not even for an instant become disillusioned by the garbage/propaganda being spit out by the stooges of these nefarious organizations. We should be proud of our great, glorious and distinct Sikh history while following Guru Granth Sahib’s teaching and have complete unshakeable faith in the one God Waheguru.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.