The ten-kilometre radius surrounding the border of Delhi with North-Indian states is a vast canvas of Panth and Punjab, which has permeated the Farmers Morcha in an amazing display of Punjabi solidarity. The Sikh spirit of Chardikala -Forever Ascendant and Sarbat da Bhala -Welfare of all humanity, pervades every participant and prevails in every action happening on ground zero. The population of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, parts of Uttar Pradesh and the conscientious people across the country and the world are saluting the role of the Sikh masses in supporting the Farmers Morcha.

THIRTY-TWO FARMERS ORGANISATIONS FROM PUNJAB -OF ALL HUES AND SHADES HAVE GARNERED THE SPIRIT OF THE PEOPLE OF PUNJAB.  They have infused life into the lives of farmers who were at breaking point succumbing to suicides for decades. There is no worldly explanation for this. It is the will of the people, the true spirit of God and godliness in action. The grace of the Almighty to people who have suffered long enough. Punjab has once again been destined to show the path in the face of autocracy to the people of the sub-continent.

The Sikh religious idiom, the spirit of Guru Nanak amongst the spirit-born people, Sakhis -the inspirational fables, the legendary tales of Sikh rebellion -is the fulcrum of the farmers’ agitation.

The United Colours of Punjab -cutting across all social, religious, cultural, economic and political barriers is demonstrative of the unique flavour of this conflict with BJP’s Narendra Modi government.

The excitement of The Wire’s managing editor in asking the Nihang Sikhs who they are, perhaps seeing them for the first time in her life, the bewilderment of many a Web journalist at seeing the cooking of Langar in huge military-style utensils, the awe at the selfless service being done by big and small non-governmental organisations, the sweet rendition of religious hymns, the hype of the poetry and bravery rhetoric of the traditional bards, the women on the forefront and at the backend doing Sewa, the children studying for exams and supporting their troupes, speech after speech by Sikh thinkers, activists and researchers extolling the Sikh qualities which made them lay siege to Delhi is a treat to watch.

For the first time in many decades, the Nihang Sikhs, have come out of their habitat in Anandpur Sahib; the world media, the common man is seeing them in their pristine glory of Sikh uniform and the spirit of Chardikala.-Forever Ascendant. They have added a new dimension, a new colour to the whole spectrum of people participating in the protests. The Nihang on the horseback has revived the imagery of Sikhs living on horsebacks and being symbols of rebellion.

The role of the Guru ka Langar of the Sikh community from across the globe is paramount today at the Farmers Morcha and is earning accolades and recognition from all and sundry. The Sikh spirit of Sarbat da Bhalla is all-permeating.

For the Sikhs themselves, who through their sheer participation have converted the Farmers’ Morcha into a Peoples’ Morcha, they are witnessing the practical version of Kirt Karna, Naam Japna and Vandh Chakna -Hard work, Remembering God’s Name and Sharing, inseparable from the Sikh ethos, in thick and in thin.

The participation of the people of Punjab -men, women and children, of all avocations, all aspirations, all ideologies, sinking all differences and distinctions is a tribute to the Punjabi spirit in the Peoples’ Morcha.

The Indian media will continue its search for new adjectives, platitudes and pernicious angles to undermine this Farmers movement and any other rights movement of Punjab. It will not be out of place to mention that in the last seven decades, the Indian state, the Indian media still continues its sinister attempt to pseudo-secularise every protest, which is nothing but an unnecessary side-kick, actually a self-goal.

We are now on the threshold of victory of truth, patience, solidarity and commitment. The Sikh spirit is providing warmth, succour and support in the biting December cold to all the teeming millions bathed in the United Colours of Punjab -colours of dissent, colours of rebellion and colours of hope against the unrelenting and unbending government of India.

The Nishan Sahib -the Sikh insignia, fluttering atop vehicles and tents bestowed its blessings on the Sikh young and old. It is the spirit-born Sikhs of Guru Nanak who braved the water cannons on their chests and suffered the tear gas shells that enabled the march to Delhi and strongly enhanced the bargaining power of the farmers.

The Mahagathbandhan of Farmers decided on the Delhi Challo in March 2020 and the 32 organisations of Punjab farmers decided to take up the march to Delhi as a culmination of its three-months campaign across the state of Punjab. Yet, nobody in its wildest imagination, thought that the Morcha would take this shape, size and turn. God Almighty and the Gurus have blessed the farmers of Punjab and the farming community across the region.

The independent media across the world, the plethora of social media of Punjab is recognising the role of the Sikh religion in the Farmers Morcha. The ubiquitous turban of the Sikhs, the Dupatta of the Sikh ladies dominates the landscape. Every one from Haryana to Rajasthan to Uttar Pradesh to Tamil Nadu is acknowledging the lead of the farmers of Punjab. Nobody is naive enough not to know that all farmers of Punjab are Sikhs.

The ubiquitous turban of the Sikhs, the Dupatta of the Sikh ladies dominates the landscape.

History is recording everything. History is witnessing the undying spirit of the Sikhs. This roll-out of the true Sikh spirit cannot be crushed by belaboured speeches of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the slang of the likes of Arnab Goswami.

The support across the world from the Sikh Diaspora is because of the Sikh spirit and not because of any other reason. Sikhs across the world see this movement as the consolidation of the Sikh fraternity to foster the Sikh identity and the harbinger of a route for the correction and protection of the rights of the people of Punjab.

The roll-out of the true Sikh spirit cannot be crushed by belaboured speeches of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the slang of the likes of Arnab Goswami.

Bringing the government on its knees seeking withdrawal of the three new Farm laws and two ordinances is the first victory that Punjab will taste in decades.  It will surely lead to a revolution in the agriculture of Punjab, will reduce the suicides, increase cooperation amongst the marginal and big farmers and create a new awareness about agriculture policy.

The farmers of Punjab will now think a hundred times before lapping up any proposal of the government or the marketing push by the private sector for long-term profits, new fertilizers and the works. The youth, heretofore, uninterested in agrarian work will once again have a relook at his farms and how he or she can make them productive enough to stay put in Punjab than to flee the state for greener pastures.

The bonhomie of the farmers of Punjab and Haryana at this Farmers’ Morcha may foster a brotherhood whereby there can be a mutually negotiated resolution on the long-drawn waters issue. A change in the farm produce may help in conserving groundwater. The possibilities thrown up are endless.

The bonhomie of the farmers of Punjab and Haryana at this Farmers’ Morcha may foster a brotherhood whereby there can be a mutually negotiated resolution on the long-drawn waters issue.

The neo-Sikh leadership, rising upwards on the fringes of the movement is doing amazing work in standing in support of the farmers’ leaders and must continue to do the same. All attempts by the Indian media to create a rift must be nipped in the bud. The battle within can wait. Let us fight and win the war with the powers that be in the government, media and the crony corporate sector.

We are now on the threshold of victory of truth, patience, solidarity and commitment. The Sikh spirit is providing warmth, succour and support in the biting December cold to all the teeming millions bathed in the United Colours of Punjab -colours of dissent, colours of rebellion and colours of hope against the unrelenting and unbending government of India.