For the Sikh community, the joy of Baisakhi (the Sikh New Year) has doubled with the appointment of Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister of India. Accompanying the traditional beats of the dhol and speeches at the Indian Consulate, loud whoops of joy and thundering applause resounded after each speaker lauded India’s rich democratic traditions, which facilitated the appointment of India’s first-ever Sikh prime minister. Incidentally, this is the second successive year that Baisakhi was celebrated here, following the initiative of Consul General Pramathesh Rath.
Singh’s assuming office is the best news ever received by the Sikh community here [in the United States], where Sikhs have been victims of hate crimes, mistaken as followers of Osama bin Laden, and even radical Islamists.
Over the past few years, the Sikhs have carried out a vigorous public relations campaign to make mainstream America more aware of the Sikh religion, and to make people understand that a turban and a long beard are part of the Sikh religion. Nevertheless, hate crimes against Sikhs are spiraling, and reports of racial slurs and attacks against the community are received on a regular basis.
Now, with Manmohan Singh – the new poster boy for the Sikh community – they can be assured of widespread global media attention and curiosity.
Maninder Singh Seth, of Glencove Gurdwara, hit the nail on the head. Speaking in chaste Punjabi, he said: “It would have been impossible to be the Prime Minister of India with Sikhs being the minority. But Manmohan Singh was elected because of his hard work and his character. We want the world to know that we are Manmohan Singh followers, not Osama bin Laden’s.”
Sikh leaders also made it clear that Sonia Gandhi’s decision to pave the way for Singh’s appointment earned India wide respect for its democratic traditions, which had been “sullied” in the past by the riot against the Sikh community in 1982 and the post-Godhra carnage in Gujarat.
Prithpal Singh Kandhari, of Plainsview Gurdwara Sahib, said Singh’s appointment would heal the hurt felt by many Sikhs after the 1982 riots and Operation Bluestar. “The Sikh community will never forget the past, but at least one can now also say with pride that one of us has come to lead India,” he said.
At the Consulate dinner, many Sikh members expressed that their sense of “belonging” to India and of being recognized for their service to the country, whether in the Indian Administrative Services or the armed forces, is now stronger than ever.
For some, like immigration attorney Anand Ahuja, the significant aspect of Singh’s election was the fact that India is being seen by the world as a model of diversity and religious tolerance. “Manmohan Singh’s election has made all of us Indians proud,” said Ahuja. “We have a Muslim president, an outgoing Hindu prime minister, a Catholic leader of single largest party in the Lok Sabha in Sonia Ghandi, and a Sikh as a prime minister. It is amazing.”
Across the United States, other Sikh leaders expressed their happiness at Singh’s election, and opined that India as a society, would emerge even more strong.
“Sardar Manmohan Singhji [ji is an indication of respect in Hindi] is a non-controversial, non-political personality and we are sure he will take India to greater heights. We also hope that a person like him who is not corrupt can alter the image of politicians who are perceived as corrupt,” said Harpreet Singh Toor, president of the Sikh Cultural Society in New York.
“We wish him all the best and hope that he takes India forward on a new path of development and prosperity,” Manjeet Singh, president of the Gurdwara Baba Makhanshah Lobana Sikh Center.
Mohan Singh, president of the Khalsa International Society, said Manmohan Singh would protect India’s borders zealously. “We also feel he will do a lot for the community and the country, as he is a disciple of Guru Govind Singh who throughout his life fought for the poor, the downtrodden and also to protect the country. I hope as a true Sikh, he would go out to protect India’s borders,” Mohan Singh said.
Dr. Rajwant Singh, chairman of the Washington D.C.- based Sikh Council on Religion and Education, lauded Sonia Ghandi’s decision to refuse the post of prime minister, and hailed it as “the right choice for this crucial position.”
Speaking at the annual Asian Society dinner, Senator Hillary Clinton said that under Manmohan Singh’s leadership, India will attain greater heights of economic prosperity and growth. In her keynote address to celebrate Indo-American relations, she congratulated Singh on his appointment, and Indian voters on the spectacular demonstration of their electoral power. “The smooth transition of power from a Vajpayee government to one led by the Congress,” she said, “indicates the sound democratic traditions of India.” She hoped Indo-American relations would continue to grow stronger.
