Sikh Politics, leadership and role of Akal Takht: Need for a new global approach

By Gurmukh Singh | OPINION |

The need is for a paradigm shift away from personalities to issues and objectives through effective teamworking which brings diverse skills together. Today, Sikhs have high level professionals who have much to contribute given the right teamworking environment of equals. In such a system the skills needed to achieve specific objectives would determine the rotating team lead.. It is also a system which promotes skills and succession planning and produces good community team-workers – not self-styled leaders.

The second part of the Sikh Reht Maryada (SRM) gives the Sikhs their socio-political objectives. It is about Sikh Corporate Life or Panthic rehni. Every Sikh is enjoined to fulfil his or her Panthic obligation as a member of the Panth which is a theo-political organisation with social and political objectives centred around the sovereign Miri-Piri Institution of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.

Sikh political objectives derive from Sikh teachings, Gurbani, the Guru’s Word enshrined in Sikh Scriptures, Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Regardless of where the Sikhs live, these are the collective and individual objectives for the advancement of the Sikhs as a community as well of all humanity in a spirit of Sarbat da bhalaa i.e for universal good.

In the UK, the Sikh political experiment of having a Sikh Manifesto which sets down British Sikh socio-political objectives has worked very well since the 2015 General Election. Thus, Sikh political objectives for the recognition and advancement of the Sikh community become a sub-set of the national objectives in the manifestos of the political parties seeking Sikh votes. These are just aspirations and a law abiding, hardworking and self-sufficient community, also keen to promote national and global aims to achieve a just human society.

Political support is sought for these Sikh aspirations as a progressive community while the Sikhs themselves are free to join any party. Politicians who support the Sikh Manifesto are then supported by Sikh voters on the basis of their own party manifestos and personal qualities. There should be no conflict between Sikh interests and national interests and priorities as resolved by the democratic process.

A Global Sikh Manifesto agreed under the auspicious of Sri Akal Takht Sahib by top GurSikh professional in different fields can guide the global Sikh socio-political direction.

It is time that the hegemony of any one party claiming sole representation of  Sikh interests is challenged not only in Panjab but also in the diaspora.