Ludhiana – the industrial lifeline of one the most prosperous states of our country is still hung in despair. Thanks to the violent protest against the spiritual congregation of Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan (DJJS) by the fanatics on Saturday, Dec 05, 2009. The protestors not only had a showdown with the police and the city administration but also damaged the public transport system. They halted the traffic wherever they wanted, bringing the city to a standstill. The dreadful display of nude swords hogged a great deal of limelight on the national visual media on the news-less day, obviously, until Mr. Rajkhowa, an even bigger threat to the nation, was escorted to a court and our PM fixed his date with the Copenhagen.
In the gone four days, since the break of the violence, the media – both print and visual – has talked a lot about the who, what, where, when and how of the incident. But, what they simply skipped is balanced reporting of the ‘why’ factor, that sums it up as a true journalistic portrayal of the fourth pillar of the Indian democracy, as was done in the Jessica Lal case. Needless to say, as the protestors captured the street with a bang, they enjoyed the entire mileage. They were shouting, so there voice was heard. They threatened and warned, therefore making a big news story. But, the victim of this entire episode – a Sansthan that is working with a mission of ‘world peace’ since 1984 – was left unheard.
DJJS was established by Ashutosh Maharaj Ji in the terror-hit Punjab. He dared to enter that region, when everyone else was running out of it to save their lives. His sole objective – to establish peace and unity among all. Wonderstruck with his courage, the administration and his followers pleaded him to leave the state, right then and return once the peace was reinforced. But, with the determination, like that of an ant, in his mind he refuted. He said, “What would be the use of my return, if peace would already be achieved in the terror-struck area. I am a servant of God and establishment of peace, my duty.” Since then, he is toiling hard to perform the same.
But, time-and-again, he had to take up rough tests either by the government or by his opponents but every time he turned the colour of their litmus. Yes, he always received a clean chit after lawful investigations into the allegations planted by the fanatics. He was indicted with misinterpretation of the holy Sikh scripture, Shri Guru Granth Sahib and disrespecting Sikh gurus. Even his text was blamed to be misleading for the Sikh population of Punjab. But, till date nothing like that could be proved. Still, violent protest like the recent one that marked death of one, show nothing but the hidden agenda of those opposing him (who stands for the elimination of communal divide) and yelling pro-Khalistan slogans.
The indictment first proved wrong when the three-member Rattan Commission formed by the then Punjab government, under Capt. Amarinder Singh, to scrutinize the text of DJJS, gave a clean chit to the Sansthan in the year 2002. Yet, again, the entire literature was sent to Akal Takht for verification but nothing could be traced as anti-Sikh in the content. As a result, DJJS never heard again on this from the Takht, despite repeated reminders. Then, Ashutosh Maharaj Ji was even called by the Akal Takht for presenting a clarification on all the allegations being made against him. But, even this failed, when the latter denied him entry into the Takht, realizing that he is a Hindu.
Despite, tasting failure thrice, why are the fanatics adamant on opposing DJJS? We never retaliate in the same coin, then why do they always resort violent protests? Our every event takes place with due permissions from the government and the legal bodies, then why do these fanatics go against the rule of the land and oppose us? Our text has been scrutinized twice and still we are ready to stop publication, if proved wrong, then why don’t they shun violence and try logically proving the stand they are fighting for? We have always favored peaceful dialogue for reconciliation, then why do they always take refuge in swords and lathis and guns? They say we misinterpret Gurbaani, then why do lakhs of Sikhs follow us across the globe? Are they insane or don’t they understand their religion?
Enough of it have we answered, now it’s for them to take a firm stand and dare answer these questions.