Never Cease To Fight For Peace: My Perspective As A Sikh

Today’s thought is based on a Shlok (verse) from Sikh scriptures, giving impetus to the philosophy of the balanced power of temporal and spiritual forces, known as Miri-Piri. (For reference, I’ve written extensively on this concept separately in the previous articles.)
The shalok says: ‘Raaj Bina Na Dharam Chaleh Hai; Dharam Bina Sabh Daley Maley Hai’.
It can be translated as, ‘Religion cannot spread its message and progress without reign (of political power and spiritual command), and without morality, all reign (rule of political and spiritual power) is corruptible and insignificant.
I must add to clarify here that in a literal translation, the term ‘Dharam’ might mean religion, but with reference to the above shalok, it connotes a deeper meaning in the context of morality, fairness, and equality. 
To simplify the meaning of this shalok (verse) further, let’s explore it in two sections.
So, the first part, which says that ‘Raaj Bina Na Dharam Chaleh Hai’, could imply that there is not a single religion in world history which has flourished or spread without the State’s patronage or political support. However, those faiths which are observed by the minorities, especially the ones without proportionate political representation, remain oppressed, unless the ruler is morally conscientious.
The fact is that the majoritarian population of colour, religion, or culture always forms the reigning power or Raaj in a country, which also dominates the minority faith and even culture. This model could still work better if the ruler’s moral compass or democratic constitution were to make equal and fair provisions for subjects or citizens. This would be the true ‘Dharam’ in the virtuous sense. But what is the chance of a moralistic ruler in today’s world? Well, let’s continue to dig and seek.
There have been many attempts at remodelling the system of absolute monarchical power into a republican system of rule, like, from the early Greek concept of democracy to the 18th  and 19th century revolutions, then from the collapse of several empires post WW1 to decolonisation after WW2.
However, the ideal spirit of democracy remained elusive, since the gluttony for power could never be appeased. Broadly, the reason for this seems to be that the morals and ethics which should have guided life, including the religious beliefs, have only been conformed to by minority of human race. Hence, the marginalised groups are always repressed globally, but a few countries are more notorious at exploiting the minorities than others. For example, India is one of the worst human rights offenders as compared to many western democracies.
Religion itself has been used as means for satisfying personal greed for power in both, democratic and autocratic political systems of governance. In the contemporary sense, the disparity between these two systems is rather blurred. Why else in a democratic structure a monarch should still even exist and be titled as the ‘defender of the faith’ and that too of majority religion only? Or, why certain religious clergy be the ultimate dogmatic authority as well as dominating socio-political power over all diversity? In India such dual power is abused further by self-claimed ‘Sadhus’ or ‘Pundits’ (spiritual guides and pseudo-saints) who exploit the masses, especially the superstitious and un-educated minds. There is a proverbial joke in India that there are more of the deceptive pundits in the country who hoodwink people than there are bricks to build houses. But I feel it’s not a laughing matter but a serious concern. Mostly these tricksters are in cahoots with the political leaders. Afterall, it’s a mutually beneficial relationship between the two corrupt groups- the cult/religious followers become the potential political voters.
This is a true mirror reflecting the reality of today’s democracy, at least in India : Corrupt reign, dishonourable Ruler, and gullible society. Hence, ‘Dharam Bina Sabh Daley Maley Hai’- Indeed! All is muddled and corrupted in the absence of morality, fairness, and equality.
However, to the best of my knowledge, the utopian myth of a fair and equal society came closest to reality during the reign of the Sikh Emperor, called Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who ruled democratically despite being a monarch, when there was fair participation of the minorities in the governing system. As a result, all faiths and religions flourished under his regime. There were not just the Sikhs, but Hindus and even Christians from the western part of the world worked in high offices under his leadership. This was an advanced political system, especially in the 19^th century world of South Asia. His inspiration came from the teachings of the Gurus, and as such a minority religion like Sikhism too flourished during his reign. Hence, the principle of, ‘Raaj Bina Naa Dharam Chale Hai’ ^{(No religion/dharam can flourish without temporal power)}, was absolutely palpable in the kingdom of Panjab.
Today, the Sikhs are not only fighting to free the land of Panjab from the illegit occupation by the Hindu-Tavi regime, but in the process are also endeavouring to revive the Sikhi rule of morals, of justice, and of equality which existed once, before Maharaja Ranjit Singh was poisoned and killed through a clandestine plot potentially orchestrated by the British colonisers with the help of the internal trojan horse of Brahminic deceit.
With the demise of the Sikh Rule, the Sikh faith itself has been persecuted since by the Dharam-less (immoral) regimes. I hope I have established beyond doubt as to how crucial it is for the Sikhs to fight until their Raaj is re-established in its original glory- The independent republic of Khalistan, for the preservation of the Sikh heritage as well as dignity of equality for all other minorities who wish to be part of the grand nation.  
I am sure that the readers too have their own experiences and examples to quote here, especially the disadvantaged minorities.
I always strive to conclude on an optimistic note: So, if more and more nationalities, socio-political groups, and religious affiliations come together, then and only then the foundation of true democracy in the world could be consolidated to serve global peace and equality. Before one casts the next political vote, remind yourself that ‘Dharam Bina Sabh Daley Maley Hai’. Without moral consciousness, all is lost in corrupted system.
For further information on the current developments in the Sikh struggle for freedom, please connect to the links attached. Gratitude to the Satluj tv presenters: Angus Scott and James Cousineau.