While the Modi government faces the siege of Delhi, Punjabi folklore and music has created waves in Indian, Pakistani and Punjabi diaspora across the world. Initially supported by Punjabi Sikh folk singers from Punjab and Haryana, the farmers’ protests have now been joined by folk singers from Pakistani Punjab also.
One of the prominent ones in this category is Sidhu Moose Wala, who has had over 8.3 million views on his latest song, Punjab (My Motherland), and has struck chords across the world. The song is rich in historical context and is a reminder for the Sikh youth about the glorious traditions of the Khalsa rule and its ultimate struggle for the community’s rights. The song starts with a historical quote from a Sikh sage, ‘Raj bina nahin dharam chale hain, Dharam bina sab ralle malle hain (the faith cannot progress without self-rule and without faith everything is null and void)’.
Although the authenticity of the originator of this quote is not established, some believe it was said by Akali Ratan Singh Bhangu Nihang, a Sikh historian, who wrote about the Sikhs’ struggles and rise to power in North India, in his book, Prachin Panth Prakash.
The song hints at the occupation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJ&K) and states that Modi is suppressing Kashmiris, but Sikhs will not let it happen in Indian Punjab. The song also features epic struggles by legends such as Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale Shaheed and Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Next is Kanwar Grewal, who’s most appealing song is titled Akhan Khol (Open your Eyes). This song gave fillip to the farmers’ protests where he warns the farmers that the looters (Adanis and Ambanis) have entered their homes and lands, and their lands will be occupied by corporate India. The song also urges old and young men and women to rise for their rights. It ends with the voice of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, where he states that Sikhs will have to preserve their culture and fight for their rights, you can do it today or you will have to do it tomorrow, its writing on the wall. This was one of the major songs which became popular in the protests and has crossed 2.3 million views.
An interesting part of Punjabi folklore is the entry of Pakistani Punjabi singers into the arena. Two songs titled, Punjab and Baghi Punjab from Lehnda Punjab (Pakistani Punjab), are messages of solidarity to Charda Punjab (Indian Punjab) and have gained a lot of traction and appreciation from farmers and the Sikh community in Indian Punjab and Sikh diaspora. Charda Punjab drives its name from the rising sun and Lehnda Punjab from the setting sun, denoting the East and West.
These two songs have created waves across the great divide and the Indian establishment and Godi media seem to be worried about this new development. The songs have a message of support for Indian farmers and have provided moral support from Lehnda Punjab. The reactions coming from social media platforms indicate that both songs have stirred the chords of comradery between Sikhs of Indian Punjab and the youth from Pakistani Punjab.
The Baghi Punjab song has also talked of the glorious history of Punjabi legends like Hari Singh Nalwa (Tiger slayer), Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Bhagat Singh, Raja Porus, Nawaz Khokhar, Sarang Sultan and Dulla Bhatti for their epic struggle for rights of people of Punjab.
Next is Kinne Aye, Kinne Gay (How Many Came and How Many Left), by Ranjit Bawa from Gurdaspur. With almost 20 million views, it is a reminder to the Sikh youth about the glorious Sikh struggle, especially that of 1984 and why the youth is forgetting it. The song also talks about the Sikh Regiment and its contributions to India and how the Indian establishment uses Sikh soldiers during crises but forgets their contribution when it comes to their rights. He also reminds the youth about the water theft of Indian Punjab by the Indian government through trickery and machinations and urges the Sikh community to unite for their rights.
Reactions by RSS and RAW activists have been of frustration. Recently, ex-RAW officer Col RSN Singh and a self-declared RSS intellectual, Pushpendra Kulshrestha, blasted the Sikh farmers and challenged them to raise arms and bring their swords to Delhi, reminding them that the Indian state had crushed such uprisings, and will repeatedly do so.
Indian Punjab and the Sikh community were being portrayed in negative tones by the Indian establishment and Godi media since the 1980s. The stereotype built in the past three decades has been that the Sikh community and its youth indulges in narcotics, music and wining and dining. The Sikh community has proven this narrative false through an energetic and offensive response. What has perplexed the RSS cabal is the unity and strong resolve shown by the Sikhs of Punjab.
Where do Modi and his Godi media go from here? This is a million-dollar question. The resistance of Indian Punjab and the Sikhs is setting a new narrative. Modi and his RSS cabal know that if they step back, the Sikh farmers will become a beacon of light for other oppressed communities like the Muslims, Christians, Dalits, Nagas and Naxals as well as lower caste Shudras.
If 20 million Sikhs can roll back the steamroller of RSS, what will be the motivation level of 200 million Muslims, 230 million Dalits and other oppressed communities?
Sikh farmers are actually writing the history of India in the freezing cold of Delhi. This battle will set the stage for the future of India and rising Hindutva. Like the legendary Hari Singh Nalwa who put his hands in the jaws of a tiger and tore it apart, the Sikhs of Punjab have actually put the hands of the Khalsa in the jaws of RSS and there is no turning back, for both sides.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2021.
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