Punjabi Durbar programme seeks conflict in India

Punjabi Durbar programme seeks conflict in IndiaAbohar, July 27 : The Punjabi Durbar programme of Radio Pakistan seems to be unhappy that the Sikh Gurus were successful in uplifting the Dalits in the society centuries ago.

The programme now seeks to project that the Hindu community is angry that the Sikh Gurus had once been successful in their fight for Dalits' rights and the anger is still prevalent.

Scholars in Punjab feel sorry that Pakistani broadcasters are ignorant about Indian history and think that through provocative statements create dissentions in Indian society.

Harpal Singh Bhullar, President of International Bhai Mardana Society and Kulwant Singh, a Sikh scholar, feel sorry for the producers of the Punjabi Durbar programme.

"If they knew our history, they would have never made such statements. They do not know that Pandit Kripashankar went to Guru Tegbahadur's court to plead for the safety of Kashmiris, and later on, sacrificed his life in the battle of Chamkor. There are many other great Hindu brothers who entered history books with their act of chivalry", said Harpal Singh Bhullar, President of International Bhai Mardana Society.

"In the Sikh religion, none of the Gurus from Guru Nanak Dev to the 10th guru Guru Gobind Singh fought with anybody on the basis of caste and religion. They always tried for the unity of the country. When Guru Nanak Dev started the Sikh religion, he took people of all the religions together," Kulwant Singh, a scholar said.

The allegations that Hindus `discriminate' against the Sikhs look ridiculous if one takes note of the millions of Hindus visiting Gurudwaras through out the year and celebrating each other's festival as members of a joint family.

Politically, the Punjab government is being run by Shiromani Akali Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party, a Hindu party. That speaks volumes about the relations both the communities share.

The Indian Constitution guarantees freedom to practice one's religion and equality before law to every citizen of the country. (ANI)