"Zinda Shaheed" is no different than a "Brave Hero". Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana

I am not sure why Jathedar sahib should have to explain what the title Zinda Shaheed" means and why it was given?  Jathedar sahib did what he felt was the right thing to do at the time to save the life of a man who acted against injustices of Punjab and Indian government. This Title had been given before, in the 1920's to Gursikhs and their families who sacrificed their lives for getting control of Gurdwaras from mahants.  The other day I was reading a Punjabi article in the magazine "Indo_US Dialogue" about Sikh struggles in 1920's to get control their Gurdwaras and how SGPC came into being after those sacrifices. So how is this Zinda Shahid different than those?   I  mean how can chief minister who only got elected during Presidents rule with only 9% of the vote.  That is nothing less than a dictatorship and I am not a political pundit or analyst but I wouldn't be surprised if International communty actually considers that kind of voting legal or fair or a democratic mandate.  I am glad finally a Jathedar has made a decision to stand up to corrupt, arrogant, tyrant Indian government and the state backed arrogant Indian media who has always discriminated against Sikhs for the last 60 years and label Sikhs as radicals, separatists, terrorists etc. And, nice thing is that the whole global Sikh community is with all of the five Jathedars this time.  It also shows that Jathedars made a wise, compassionate decision and are able to stand up against injustices.  It is surprising that Hindu dominated Indian courts have never in last 25 plus years charged, jailed or hanged not even one Hindu radicals like Jagdish Tytler,Sajan Kumar, Amitabh Bachan, and many others like them who instigated killing thousands of Sikhs in 1984.

If Indian government was wise, it should listen to the demads and cries of Sikhs along with other communities and Indian media (not just Sikh media) should highlight these injustices.  Silence of majority Hindu community is like the silence of the Muslim community in the West after 9/11.  Bhai Balwant Singh shall not be hanged or it will haunt India for a long time to come.  I think Sikhs have made a decision where they stand, now India has to decide, how important are Sikhs to India.  India needs Sikhs as much as Sikhs need India.  It will never be a one way street and arrogance on any side will not prevail.  Laws and rules of Indian constitution shall be equally applied to all Indians or else there will be no constituion or government of India one day.  United, Sikhs, Hindus, Moslems, Christians, Buddhists, Jains and others in India all stand.  If India fails one, the whole India will fall.  Sikhs have to treated like equal partners in Indian fabric.

As long as Sikhs do not feel alienated in their own country, don't feel they lost their respect, dignity, and don't lose faith in the Indian democratic system and political process, Sikh will love and protect the mother India.  But respect, love has to be mutual.

I pray to Waheguru that Bhai Balwant Singh be not hanged and urge India to do the right thing.  He is a hero in the eyes of every Sikh for fighting against tyranny and injustice.