7th September
1936
Gandhi asserts that Sikhism is part of Hindusim and stated that if becoming a Sikh is conversion then this kind of conversion on the part of Harijans is dangerous.
In a letter to Jugal Kishore Birla, Gandhi wrote:
Today I will only say that to me Sikhism is a part of Hinduism. But the situation is different from the legal point of view. Dr. Ambedkar wants a change of religion. If becoming a Sikh amounts to conversion then this kind of conversion on part of Harijans is dangerous. If and if you can make them give up the separate electorate, then I will have no objections to Harijans calling themselves Ramanujis or Sikhs.
-Ref. The Sikhs in History, by Sangat Singh, 1995.
1981
Sikh protest procession taken out in Delhi to seek Sikh demands. 4 GurSikhs killed by Haryana Police on their way to join the procession.
Sikhs took out a protest procession in Delhi to press for Sikh demands. The Akali Dal, which is the most moderate Sikh organisation, had previously announced its intention to hold protest march in Delhi, to press its demand for more autonomy for the Provinces. Sikhs from various parts of the Punjab went to participate in this procession. In Haryana, the Hindu police stopped the Sikh processionists from going to Delhi. At Madhuban the Hindu police fired upon the Sikhs and killed four Sikhs. More than a dozen Sikhs were wounded. This was the behaviour of the Hindu police with the members of the most-peaceful Sikh organisation. The next day, students of the Khalsa College at Amritsar observed a protest day against the killing of the innocent Sikhs at Madhuban. The Punjab police cane-charged and wounded a large number of the Sikh students.
-Ref. THE SIKHS’ STRUGGLE FOR SOVEREIGNTY, An Historical Perspective By Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer and Dr. Awatar Singh Sekhon. Edited By: A.T. Kerr Page 110-119.