Samaj Sudhar Lehar - Kharku's laws
The laws issued by Kharkus...
Introduction
I feel it is important to talk about the Samj Sudhar Lehar which was essentially Kharkus getting rid of anti-Sikh activities in Punjab and bringing back the golden age of Sikhi. Kharkus issued policies for all to adhere to. These policies were widely popular and mostly followed. Those who violated the policies suffered heavy consequences. I feel it is important to bring these policies up considering how many Sikhs are violating them nowadays.
The Policies
The 13 policies issued were:
Granthis, Ragis, Kirtanis, Dhadis, Kavishris, etc. must be adhering Amritdharis. Caste, racial, and economic discrimination will be banned in Gurdwaras.
Fake Babas who push superstations and backward beliefs for money and those who preach against Sikhi, Gurmat philosophy, or do other anti-Sikh actions will be severely punished.
Those Sikhs who have taken Amrit and broken it should re-take Amrit. Those who take Amrit and violate it disrespecting Sikhi will be punished. Amritdhari’s who consume meat, alcohol, eggs, drugs, etc. will be punished. They are advised to stop their anti-Sikh activities or else.
Those shops that sell cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, etc. must stop selling such products. No one is allowed to open liquor shops, pubs, breweries, etc. Those who open liquor shops, pubs, breweries, etc. will be greatly punished.
Video film shops, tape recorder shops, beauty parlours (saloons and hair cutting shops), chicken farms/butchers, fish butchers, Jhatka shops, and slaughterhouses must be immediately closed or face serious consequences.
Police officers, Special Police Officers (SPO), and Homeguards have 3 days to leave their jobs. Their families are advised to convince them to leave their jobs. We do not desire to cause harm to officers. They should leave their job even if it means eating less food as a service to the Panth. Those who are undermining the movement and attacking innocents will be punished with their families.
Police informants, traitors, Congress supporters, Communists, government men/supporters, and those who engage in misdeeds are warned that they should immediately stop their anti-Sikh, anti-Kharku, anti-Khalistan activities and walk on the right path or be prepared to suffer consequences.
Conflicts in villages should be settled with everyone sitting down and talking. People should not waste their time with courts, police stations, reports, or other costly affairs to solve simple disputes.
Wedding must be done in a simple matter. Brides should not have to offer money or property to their grooms and those who request such should not be considered family. Those who demand property or money from brides should be socially boycotted. Only 11 people should be allowed in Baraat. Kharkus will punish those who bring more people to the Baraat. It is the groom’s and father’s duty to ensure the right amount of people partake in the Baraat. Those who violate the Baraat policy will be paraded and not be allowed to finish the tradition. Dirty songs should not be played on the loudspeaker nor should their stages of singers. There will be absolutely no meat or alcohol at weddings. Violators will be responsible for the punishment they suffer.
Those who write or sing dirty songs should stop destroying Punjabi culture. They will be victims of the wrath of Kharkus.
Schools and Colleges in Punjab and their Principles, administrators, and teachers shall make students, in the territory of Khalistan, wear Khalistani uniforms. Boys should wear black pants, white shirts, and Kesri paghs. Girls should wear white shirts, black salwar, and Kesri chunni on their heads. Violators will be summoned in front of Kharkus.
Bus drivers should not play dirty songs on buses. Bus drivers should only play Gurbani, Katha, or the ballads of warriors because the passengers in the bus are their own sisters. Then why play such dirty songs?
Those low scum of people who are filled with hate preach against Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale and call Sant Bhindranwale a Congress agent should clean their act. Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale is the ever-beating heart of true Sikhs. Sant Bhindranwale’s slander will not be tolerated. Those who participate in such will be killed.
Another policy issued by Kharkus not listed above is for Sikhs not to associate with Radhasoamis.
Interesting read. It's too bad these policies were forced under duress, naturally leading to the opposite effect they intended and contributing to the loss of public support for the movement. Education and parchaar were the solution, and Sant Ji knew this well. Attacking small businesses, meat-eaters and alcohol drinkers under threat of violence is not Khalsa Raj and was just overall poor military/political strategy. Not to mention, meat is not explicitly anti-Sikh, but was just in conflict to the samparda that many Kharkhus came from.