The timing of the emergence of the Sikh nationhood might be a matter of debate but not the fact that the Sikhs are a Nation. Our Guru Sahiban had bestowed the concept of Sikh Nationhood on us. The times of Banda Bahadur were the consolidation of the Sikh nationhood that flowered during Sarkar-e-Khalsa established by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The concept of Sikh Nationhood is not a mere slogan raised by the few committed diehard Sikhs.

The concept of Sikh Nationhood is a fundamental part of our very existence as Sikhs. We, the Sikhs, are not simply a religious community, but a people complete with a distinct political, social and cultural identity that draws strength from the Sikh philosophy and history.

Throughout recorded history the World has seen the rise and fall of many a nations. Some nations are crushed by war. Some are assimilated through ideological, cultural or economic invasions. Others remain muted and hidden from the World due to imperialistic or colonial occupation.

A nation may have its political sovereignty suspended by foreign occupation, but a nation only ceases to truly exist once its people begin to forget as to who they are, who they were and what would be their future.

For understanding the concept of Sikh Nationhood, one needs to refer to the history of the Sikhs in the scientific perspective. However, the future of Sikh Nation does not lie in gloating over about the past.

The future of Sikh Nation depends on what we, the Sikhs, do in the present, and what active steps we take to preserve our identity to protect it from hegemonization and guard our way of life in our native homeland of Punjab.

British suspended the political sovereignty of the Sikh Nation with the annexation of Punjab in 1849. Since that fateful year, the Nishan Sahib, the flag of the sovereign Sikh Nation, has not been hoisted. Yet we, the Sikhs, remain a Nation though subjugated. Sikhs as a nation has been struggling for its freedom against all odds, refusing to submit to those who aim to eliminate their identity.

The Sikhs, despite subjugation for long, have succeeded in preserving the symbols and institutions of Sikh Nationhood. The Akal Takht Sahib, though suffered destruction at the hands of the Indian army in 1984, has been rebuilt and continues to serve its function as the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs. The need is to consolidate the institution. The Sikhs though under pressure from economic manipulation, influences of globalization and threat of extermination from the Indian state, still remain true to their faith and committed to the Khalsa Panth. The Khalsa is not just a religious body but also a political entity.

Dal Khalsa by organizing the convention on the subject of ‘Sikh Nationhood’ aims to address this crucial issue faced by the Sikhs of today.

We must remember, it is the victors who write history. The Sikh Nation is in the midst of a struggle. We urge Sikh leaders of different shades to pause for introspection about their roles in the parameters of the Sikh sovereignty. They should not function as tools in the hands of the forces determined to dilute the Sikh identity and the concept of Sikh nationhood. It is time for the Sikhs to rise and recognize their historic role.

Participants of the convention includes SGPC member Karnail Singh Panjoli, SSF president Mandhir Singh, Rajinder Singh of SKP, Bhai Daljit Singh of SKD besides Dal Khalsa leaders. Speakers urged Sikh masses to join Dal Khalsa and other ‘Sikh nationalist’ groups in this endeavour of promoting the spirit of Sikh Nationalism and rejecting the forces that aim to assimilate our distinct identity.