AI Generated Summary
- Even today, when the mortal remains of a martyred soldier arrive at his home wrapped in the Tricolour, that flag carries with it the grief of the family, the sacrifice of the soldier, and his final loyalty to the nation.
- It is a symbol of the identity of millions of Indians, the sovereignty of the nation, and the countless sacrifices that made it possible for us to breathe freely in an independent India.
- The community that sacrificed its lives defending the Tricolour on the nation’s borders—how can trampling the Tricolour underfoot while wearing the turban of that very community be reconciled with Sikh history and Sikh values.
India’s national flag, the Tricolour, is not merely a piece of cloth made up of three colours. It is a symbol of the identity of millions of Indians, the sovereignty of the nation, and the countless sacrifices that made it possible for us to breathe freely in an independent India. Respect for the Tricolour is not a matter of any political party, government, or ideology; it is the responsibility of every citizen towards the nation. Disrespecting the Tricolour is not merely an insult to a piece of cloth; it is an act that hurts the honour of the country. And when such an act is carried out by someone dressed in Sikh attire, the question becomes even more serious: Does merely wearing a turban and keeping a beard make someone a Sikh?
Sikhs have not merely raised slogans for the country; they have written history with their blood. Whenever the nation faced a threat at its borders, Sikh soldiers stepped forward and took charge of the battlefield. Even today, when the mortal remains of a martyred soldier arrive at his home wrapped in the Tricolour, that flag carries with it the grief of the family, the sacrifice of the soldier, and his final loyalty to the nation. Countless Sikh soldiers have laid down their lives while defending this country.
The irony is that the very Tricolour for which Sikh soldiers stood in the face of bullets and made the ultimate sacrifice is now seen being trampled underfoot by some people abroad. Recently, during the visit of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat to New York, some protesters were seen treating the Tricolour disrespectfully. Such an act cannot be acceptable under any circumstances.
A person may have political or ideological differences with Mohan Bhagwat. One may oppose the ideology of an organisation. One may protest against the policies of a government. In a democracy, the right to protest exists—and it should. But no one has been given the right to insult the national flag in the name of protest.
The most important point here is that such acts must not be linked with the entire Sikh community. There are millions of Sikhs around the world, and with only a few exceptions, the overwhelming majority understand their responsibility towards their country, society, and humanity. Sikhism is not merely about outward appearance. Sikhi is a way of life given by the Sikh Gurus. It embodies courage, but not arrogance; struggle, but within the bounds of dignity; and the strength to stand against oppression, but never the permission to trample upon the dignity of the innocent.
A Sikh warrior may confront an enemy on the battlefield, but does not abandon the principles of honour and discipline. How can a person who genuinely follows the teachings of the Sikh Gurus accept that a national symbol can be trampled underfoot in the name of protest?
If someone has a grievance against an institution in India, they should express it. If they oppose an ideology, they should campaign against it. If they disagree with a political leader, they should protest through democratic means. But targeting the Tricolour does not make any movement stronger, nor does it earn it respect. Instead, such actions only weaken the very issue that the movement claims to represent.
The most concerning aspect is that some people based abroad attempt to associate anti-India activities with Sikh identity. This not only affects India’s image but also damages the reputation of the Sikh community, which is respected around the world for its hard work, service, courage, and sacrifice.
If someone sitting on foreign soil insults the national flag of India, they must understand that they are not merely opposing the Government of India or a political organisation. They are insulting the national symbol of a country with which the emotions of millions of families are deeply connected. For Sikhs, this question is even more profound.
The community that sacrificed its lives defending the Tricolour on the nation’s borders—how can trampling the Tricolour underfoot while wearing the turban of that very community be reconciled with Sikh history and Sikh values?
