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48
ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES : APRIL-JUNE 2005 / 537 NS
SIKHS' CONTRIBUTION IN NATIONAL
INTEGRATION AND COMMUNAL HARMONY
JASWANT SINGH *
Recently, I participated in a National Seminar on National
Integration and Communal Harmony, and was surprised that none of
the celebrated speakers mentioned anything about the sterling role
Sikhism has played in this vital direction. Hence my motivation to
share with you these thoughts.
A country is a geographical concept, State a political concept
and Nation a cultural concept. People make the nation, in fact, people
are the nation. Mainly there are three criteria for the people to constitute
a nation : a) those people who regard the country as their motherland;
b) common sharing of history; c) shared value system. Culture is
nothing but value system – standards to judge good from evil.
According to Ernest Renan, a French author of twentieth century – a
nation is a soul, a spiritual principle – two things which are really one.
The Nation, like the individual, is the fruit of a long past sport in toil,
sacrifice and devotion. The most salient feature of our culture is
respect for plurality, diversity and inclusivity.
Harmony presupposes plurality. In a monolithic society, the
question of harmony does not arise. But we are a pluralistic society
with different faiths, beliefs, languages and food habits in harmony.
This sense presupposes tolerance. Our different beliefs with mutual
tolerance keep us in harmony. But once a set of people decide to
bring all others to their path by fair or foul means, the so-called
compulsive conscription, due to their superior material / muscle power,
disharmony or discord is bound to take place. That is what is happening
on the borders of our country. Let us look inwards, our exclusivist
* Maj Gen (Dr), AVSM, # 1801, Sector 33-D, Chandigarh