the Privy Council judgement if it means that the kirpan
is a sword of any length. A kirpan ceases to be sacred
when it goes into the hands of an unprincipled drunk-
ard or when it is used anyhow. A sacred thing has to
be used on sacred and lawful occasions. A kirpan is
undoubtedly a symbol of strength, which adorns a
possessor only if he exercises amazing restraint over
himself and uses it against enormous odds against himself.
The Sardar will pardon me when I say that I have
fairly studied the history of the Sikhs and drunk deep
of the essence of the Granth Saheb. Tested by the tenets
of that scripture, what is said to have been done by
the Sikhs is indefensible and suicidal. Sikh bravery and
integrity must not be frittered away on any account.
It can be an asset to the whole of India. In my opinion,
it is a menace which it should not be.
Of course, it is nonsense to suggest that the Sikhs
are enemy No. 1 of Islam. Have I not been described
as such? Is the honour to be divided between them
and me? I have never desired the honour. My whole
life is a standing testimony against the charge. Can the
same be said of the Sikhs? Let them learn the lesson
from the Sikhs who stand behind the Sher-e-Kashmir.
Let them repent of the follies committed in their name.
A VICIOUS SUGGESTION
I know the vicious suggestion that the Hindus
would be all right if they will sacrifice the Sikhs who
would never be tolerated in Pakistan. I can never be
a party to any such fratricidal bargain. There can be
no rest for this unhappy land unless every Hindu and
Sikh returns with honour and in safety to the West
Punjab and every Muslim refugee to the Union, barring
of course those who do not choose to do so for reasons
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