George W. Bush’s stock is up but……

By O P Modi

As a result of Saddam Hussein’s capture by the US soldiers the latest count of President Bush’s popularity in USA has gone up from 53 percent to 60 percent. More Americans are now convinced of the justification given out by the Bush administration for the attack on Iraq over nine months ago. Alhough no Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) have been found on the Iraqi soil yet most Americans believe that the attack was justified, if not for anything else, at least for stopping Hussein from producing and using the WMD against their country.

Within days of Saddam Hussein’s arrest Libya’s dictator Col. Gadaffi declared the end of his nuclear weapons programme. Iran too has agreed to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect its nuclear installations. There is no doubt that developments of such far reaching consequences are going to add many more points to the popularity rating of George W Bush at home.

A chain reaction, which could be linked directly to the arrest of Iraq’s vanquished dictator Saddam Hussein, seems to have set in. In Iran the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has recovered thousands of Pakistani papers relating to know-how for making centrifuges to enrich uranium that could be used for producing nuclear weapons. In the light of such damning evidence Pakistan cannot refute the charge that it has colluded with Tehran to produce the so called "Islamic Bomb". Pakistan’s top nuke scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan has come under scanner for alleged connection of some of his subordinate scientists with the Iran’s nuclear establishment. It is reported that two Pak nuclear scientists are suspected to have passed on nuclear secrets to Iran.

Fearful of American reprisals and shedding crocodile tears General Musharraf has lamented, "I am shattered to know that some of the Pakistani nuclear scientists have been proliferating Pakistan’s nuclear secrets". He is on record to have stated that some of the scientists may have committed the treacherous act for their pecuniary gains.

It is unbelievable that President Musharraf has been unaware of what his nuclear scientist were up to. Having witnessed the fate of Saddam Hussein at the hands of Americans he is now trying to pass the buck to the country’s nuclear institution. By allowing questioning of Dr. Qadeer Khan, Musharraf has once again shown that for his own survival he would not spare anyone. Recall what he did to the Talibans and Pakistani army personnel in Afghanistan when he was cornered by the Americans.

It will not be out of place to mention here that after the defeat of Talibans in Afghanistan, taking advantage of the fluid situation prevailing at that time, Pakistan’s two very important nuclear scientists, Muhammed Ali Mukhtar and Suleiman Asad were despatched to Myanmar by Musharraf on some flimsy pretext before the Americans could lay their hands on them. Instead he got two small fries Sultan Bashir-u-din Mahmud and Choudhry Abdul Majeed of the nuclear establishment of Pakistan arrested and produced before the CIA for investigating their alleged role in passing on the nuclear secrets to Alqaeda

Evidence of Pakistan transferring nuclear research to North Korea in exchange of Missile technology from that country has also come to the fore. Further investigations and inspections by the IAEA in Libya and Iran are expected to reveal more clandestine deals in exchange of its nuclear know-how that Pakistan has been carrying on with many countries. President Pervez Musharraf now stands between the devil and the deep blue sea. On the one hand he faces the wrath of both Alqaeda and its sympathisers in Pak army on the other hand is his fear of getting into bad books of the Americans.

While Bush administration may rejoice in the success it has got from the arrest of Saddam Hussein and the "surrender" by Libya and Iran of their nuclear programme and inspection of their nuclear sites, United States continues to face the prospect of a long drawn conflict with the insurgents in Iraq. For once president Bush was right about the Iraq war. He said that the conflict with the anti-occupation forces in Iraq was not going to end with the capture of Saddam Hussein.

Presently Iraq is a lawless country. The day Saddam was captured there were two car bomb explosions killing many and wounding several others. The violence against the occupation has continued unabated since then. The oil pipes and dumps have been set on fire. A number of suicide attacks have been reported every day. On the average Allied Forces have come under 15 attacks per day from the insurgents in recent weeks.

Another disturbing factor that has emerged is the internecine killings in some parts of Iraq. Erstwhile members of Saddam’s Bath party are being targeted for revenge. Many have been killed and many others wounded. In coming days the revenge killings may escalate. The arrest of Hussein is nothing more than a temporary relief to the Bush administration that had been increasingly coming under criticism, at home and abroad, for its failure on all counts in the war against Iraq. The battle ground that Iraq has become is bound to cause greater headache to Bush who is to face the presidential elections next year.

However, it is not Iraq alone that will engage the Americans’ attention in the coming months. The chances of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal falling into wrong hands are much greater now. Americans are concerned about this.

They are worried about the safety of President Musharraf as well. He has been faithful to them since the day US forces attacked Talibans in Afghanistan. Two suicide bomb attacks on Musharraf that followed an earlier attack, within less than fifteen days demonstrate how much president of Pakistan is hated by the Islamic fundamentalists. There are elements sympathetic to the cause of the Alqaeda and other fundamentalists in the Pak Army that would like the president to be eliminated.

The immediate provocation for killing Musharraf comes from his betrayal of the nuclear scientists in order to save his own skin. Another cause for the attempts on his life is his so called "love" for India. His recent statement that Pakistan could drop the demand for plebiscite in Kashmir and try to find out other ways to resolve the issue has alarmed the Jehadis.

The truth that Pakistan is the epicentre of terrorism is slowly being revealed to the Americans. For decades thousands of Madrassas in Pakistan have been turning out brain washed Jehadis many of whom are willing to lay down their lives in a misconceived Jehad. They have been killing and dying in Jammu & Kashmir, Chechnya and Afghanistan. With the capture of Saddam Hussein the war against terrorism instead of nearing its end has become more demanding.

The Bush administration must realise that without active participation of the member countries of the United Nations Organisation the war against terror can not be brought to its logical conclusion. It would mean setting up a unified command under the World Organisation to defeat this worldwide menace. Unfortunately, acting niggardly as in Iraq, the Bush administration is still shying away from the UNO. For dealing with the terrorists’ organisations in Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf is considered the best bet by the Americans. If he goes, do the Americans have a contingency plan to save Pakistan from falling in the hands of the extremists along with the nuclear arsenal of the country? That is the big question.

What ails Sikh community

By Mohan Singh Kala

Guru Nanak Dev, founder of Sikhism, preached about grace of God, against casteism, idol worship and the power of priests. Gurus that followed him condemned Satti, emphasised the service of mankind, hard and honest work, dispensation with rituals and stressed the equality of men and women, low and high, and rich and poor. Thus a foundation of classless society was laid down. Sikhism does not believe in life of renunciation, but in the active life of a community member and house holder.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji completed the Sikh philosophy, preached by Guru Nanak Dev Ji by babtising Panj Pyaras and in turn was baptised by these Panj Payaras at Anandpur on 13 April 1699. These five formed the order of the Khalsa or soldiers in the army of God. Thus was established 'Khalsa Panth' representing saint sepoy. With this came a code of ethics and symbols by which Sikhs would be recognized and which they are required to wear. These are Kesh (long hair), Kanga, (Comb), Kara, Kirpan and Kachha. These are articles of faith; and faith cannot be questioned or doubted. No Sikh can deviate from the form ordained by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Alas sizeable modern Sikh youths have deviated from the form ordained by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. It can be attributed either to lack of knowledge of Sikh philosophy, Sikh scriptures and history. Other factors such as faulty educational system, negative role of parents, influence of modern electronic and print media, a company and association with ultra modern friends, dearth of highly educated and qualified preachers, ragis and granthis, fast changing ultra modern life and failure of Gurdwaras in preaching and dissemination of Gurbani. There is no bar in Sikhism to lead comfortable and happy life. A Sikh who follows the Sikh tenets can embrace both the traditional and ultra modern in his life. Modern Sikh youths are required to know the sacrifices of their elders and the struggles many young Sikhs have experienced over their beard, Keshas and turban in India and abroad. These Sikh youths need to be re-railed. They should speak and write in Punjabi. Some of the youngester wear head gear (Patka) instead of wearing turban. Young mothers and children prefer to speak in Hindi and English rather than to speak their mother tounge which is Punjabi.

Gurdwaras are centres of community gatherings. It is a place where, it is considered, Guru resides. The Guru, in this case, refers to Guru Granth Saheb, which holds a place of honour and to which Sikhs how. These are centres of worship where social and other activities also take place. Gurdwaras are managed by elected representatives of the Sikh Sangat. Elections are fought with a view to control the Gurdwaras rather than for improvement of Gurdwaras and social development of community. Those who control the Gurdwaras use the Gurdwara funds to gain political recognition and for their own ends. As such Gurdwara Parbandhak Committees have contributed very little for the betterment of Gurdwaras and Sikh Community. Struggle for controlling of Gurdwaras has further divided the community on regional basis. Very little has been done for preaching of Sikhism and in respect of charity work. As a result of division and factionalism the community could not make consistent development.

There is no viable and representative political party of the Sikh community to fight for their cause and rights. Because of this Sikhs have suffered during the past 50 years, having no representation in the Cabinet and Legislature. Sikhs get very little share in services and less seats in the professional and educational colleges for the students. Our long standing demands have been ignored. There are some groups and parties formed on regional and other considerations by such persons who have their own interests. These small parties have proved little utility for the community as they do not work for the common goal. These parties and groups have created further cracks in the community, which is disservice to the community.

Sikh youths have not kept pace with the fast changing world in the field of education due to a number of reasons for which community is responsible. We could not give financial support to the needy & deserving students to persue their higher studies. We failed to establish community educational institutions and educational trusts to provide modern, advanced educational facilities to our youths. A few existing educational institutions are controlled by individuals, which do not save the common purpose. As a result of this Sikh youths are unable to compete with others. This results in unemployment. Govt policy is also discriminatory towards Sikhs, particularly in matters of service and employment. Alternative for Sikh youths is to go in for self employment for which a few seem mentally prepared.

Visible changes are taking place in our social life. Change with the time is, no doubt, need of the hour but it should be in accordance with the social melieu and in keeping with the past traditions. Marriages are important part of social life, which represents our culture, traditions, spiritual and religious values. Marriage is a blend of all this. Sikhs start all important ceremonies/functions with Ardas ''Prayer'' for thanks giving. It has been seen at a number of marriages that we have given place to ultra modern things not keeping with Sikh traditions. Wine is served to the guests; variety of eatables are offered and the marriages are ostentations. Lakhs of rupees are spent on such items, not to speak of dowry given and taken. This system needs to be curbed. This trend of wastage on drinks etc in a society like ours and giving unproportionate dowry has created division of rich and poor in our society and has adversely effected the better changes of marriages of poor persons daughters.

In memory of dear ones we observe Che-Mahis and Cho-baris after the ''Antam Ardas'' which is against Sikh code of conduct. After Antam Ardas such like functions need not be observed. These entail unnecessary expenses. This is also because of Brahammic influence. Our ladies generally go to Marhis, jotshis, zarats, pirs and other places which is against the Sikh tenets.

Sikh community is doing little to give financial and moral support to orphans, widows, disabled and needy. Those who spend lakhs of rupees on marriages and other functions should think of sparing something for such social work. It is like treading the path shown by our great Gurus. There are young poor girls whose parents need support for their marriages. There are bright students who also need help to persue higher education. There are poor Sikhs and other people who need medical aid. There are unemployed, infirm and old who should be supported. Very little has been done for this noble work.