By Dr. Sawraj Singh
A seminar was held in the Bhasha Bhawan, Patiala by Malwa Research Center Patiala on Intellectual and moral degeneration of Punjab. I was asked to initiate and conclude the discussion. Many scholars, social activists, high-ranking officials and religious leaders from all over Punjab participated in the discussion. There was a broad consensus that Punjab is going through a very tumultuous period in history where there is an almost complete breakdown of the social and moral fabric of society. This should be cause of great concern for all Punjabis.
The main cause of intellectual and moral degeneration of Punjab is the separation of morality from intellect, brought on by the western capitalist model adopted by Punjab after the so-called Green Revolution, where the rich peasantry of Punjab aligned with American Imperialism and transformed into a capitalist class. This alliance deprived it from its cultural, ethical and moral base, which came from the Sikh philosophy. Green Revolution has not only proved in the long run an ecological, social and economic disaster, it has also proved an ethical, moral and cultural disaster.
Changes brought by the Green Revolution very adversely affected our society. Not only a process started which alienated us from our culture and value system, but also set a stage for demographic changes which can ultimately make Punjabis a minority in Punjab. Migration of non-Punjabis into Punjab and migration of Punjabis, particularly the Jatts, out of Punjab, started after the Green Revolution. These two phenomena have already greatly changed the demographics of Punjab. We are already seeing considerable dilution of the Jatt population in Punjab and a big increase in the non-Punjabi population. I feel that after the dilution of the Jatt population, the next phase can be dilution of the Sikh population, and the Sikhs can become a minority in Punjab. Finally, Punjabis can become a minority in Punjab.
Such rapid demographic changes are leading to chaos, and eventually can push Punjab to complete anarchy. In a chaotic and unstable society, it is very difficult to maintain social stability and our culture and value system. Punjab is suffering from social instability, economic stagnation, severe ecological damage as well as a deepening cultural and moral crisis. However, Punjabi intellectuals have failed to properly understand the crisis. Therefore, they have been unable to provide intellectual leadership which is needed to pull Punjab out of this crisis.
The main reasons for this state of intellectual vacuum are Pseudo-intellectualism and Pseudo-Marxism. These two phenomena are intertwined. It is a known fact that most of the intellectuals in Punjab are leftists and many among them claim to be Marxists. However, many of them have never seriously read Marxism. They are also like many Punjabis who do not subscribe to Book culture and try to get their kicks from alcohol or consumerism. Another factor which is responsible for the ineffectiveness of Punjabi intellectuals is intellectual elitism.
For all practical purposes, most of the Punjabi intellectuals are almost completely alienated from the masses. They have mostly limited themselves to Elite clubs in universities and other institutions of higher learning or in literary societies. This approach isolates them from the people. These intellectuals and Marxists are mostly limited to academic exercises and become ineffective as far as bringing changes in the society. They qualify more as pseudo-intellectuals and pseudo-Marxists rather than true intellectuals and Marxists.
Another factor which aggravates the problem is that many of these intellectuals do not want to accept the role of the Sikh religion in the evolution of modern Punjab. This wrong approach alienates them from the masses, particularly the peasantry, whose lives have been significantly changed by the Sikh Revolution. The peasantry of Punjab has consciously or subconsciously accepted the Sikh Revolution. Those who do not accept the role of the Sikh Revolution in Punjab are rejected by the peasantry of Punjab. This is one of the main reasons that Marxists have been unable to establish a mass base in Punjab.
Before the Green Revolution, Punjab was following a naturally evolved agricultural model in which diverse crops compatible with the natural environment were cultivated. Under the capitalist model after the Green Revolution, diversity in crops was replaced by two crops: paddy and wheat. Paddy is a crop of those areas where there is plenty of water. Punjab is a semi-arid controlled area. We can see which trees naturally grow here. Kikar, jand and dhak are all trees which grow where there is less water available. Paddy has severely affected the water table In Punjab. If this process is not controlled, then we run the risk of making Punjab a desert.
Every day, the bitter truth that the western capitalist model has done tremendous damage to Punjab, and that this model is miserably failing, is unfolding itself. However, there are sections in our society who have vested interests and continue to deny this reality and are still promoting Green Revolution and migration out of Punjab as a solution to Punjab’s problems. The leading role among these forces is being played by pseudo-Marxists. Marxism is a philosophy of struggle. However, these pseudo-Marxists are promoting escapism (migration) as a solution to the problems Punjab is facing. True intellectuals and real Marxists will understand a simple fact that western capitalism is in a state of decline and is facing a deepening crisis. How is it possible that people can achieve true happiness and contentment in such a system?
Sri Guru Granth Sahib provides us an alternate model of development to the western capitalist model. This model is pro-nature and pro-people. Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the zenith of eastern philosophy and spirituality, and is a source of universal human values and a comprehensive philosophy of life. This philosophy ends alienation and unites us with our true self. Our true self is united with the whole universe. Such a person can be truly happy and contented. A person who is alienated by capitalism from nature, society, family and himself can only live under the illusion of happiness.
Dr. Sawraj Singh, MD F.I.C.S. is the Chairman of the Washington State Network for Human Rights and Chairman of the Central Washington Coalition for Social Justice. He can be reached at [email protected].
