| During India's struggle for independence, Sikhs fought against the British at great personal cost. In the successful fight for independence, 3,697 Sikhs were hanged, killed or imprisoned for life, versus 1,074 non-Sikhs.  When India was granted independence and partitioned in 1947, massive populations of Muslims and Hindus were given their own geographic nation. The hard-working and hard-fighting Sikhs decided to join with predominantly Hindu India and put their faith in the Indian government to protect their interests.
After receiving such firm and solemn promises in clear and unambiguous terms from the Congress Party leaders, Sikhs decided to throw in their lot with India and did not press the British government for an independent Sikh state. They had wholeheartedly and vigorously supported the freedom struggle and suffered greatly for the cause. Promises of religious freedom and self-determination made to them by Mahatma Gandhi and Mr. Nehru were never fulfilled. No sooner had the country achieved independence when all past promises, declarations and assurances made to the Sikhs, and the sacrifices made by the Sikhs were forgotten. With the partition of India to form the Moslem state of Pakistan, 60% of the agriculturally developed lands of the Sikhs went to Pakistan and the Sikhs migrated to Indian Punjab to make their new homes on barren land. Through their skill and industry, this land was transformed by a "green revolution" and now provides 60% of the food supply for all of India, including 70% of all the wheat and 50% of the rice. Throughout their history, Sikhs have earned great distinction by standing in defense of the rights of other religious peoples, notably the Hindus. Historically, thousands of Sikhs gave their lives to protect the nonviolent Hindus against the abuse of the ruthless Moguls who forcibly imposed Islam upon India for several centuries. At the time of the fight for independence from Great Britain, 60% of the military was composed of Sikhs although they were only 2% of the total population.  The Sikhs are a people who value human rights, who have defended India against scores of invaders throughout the centuries, and who contribute in all respects to the independent nation of India.
Here in Yuwie, I have a good sikh friend, maybe you know him, his name is Charanjit Singh Related Links
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