Dear All,
Whenever an incident like this takes place, as a JAT (hopefully considering myself educated too and having little knowledge of our history and culture), I can’t help it but I have extreme conflicting thoughts, each one of them right in their own way. One thought is obviously that, that no one has the right to take away a life like this, whatever the provocation. The other conflicting thought in a liberal me is that even after trying to give every logical reason, I can’t agree with the same gotra marriage. No, whatever the circumstances, same gotra marriage cannot not be accepted. Why? Because that’s our belief and beliefs don’t need the stamp of approval by anyone other than the elders of the community and our past history. Each community follows their customs and traditions and so do we. We don’t question others and don’t give them the right to question ours.
Ignorance of such traditions by the next generation can’t be used as an excuse to indulge in same gotra marriage, even unknowingly. Communities elsewhere in the world pride themselves in their exclusive traditions. Why should we be apologetic? Let those communities who marry with in their gotra do so. When we have no problem in that, why should they question our beliefs? Tomorrow, if the Supreme Court rules that there is nothing wrong in same gotra marriage, do you expect JATS to say “Thank you, lordship, we will change our traditions and culture”. I think there will be a revolt.
The next question is how to deal with exceptions? My personal view is no different than other worthy members. The boy and girl could have been thrown out of the village. The parents too should be left alone. This is not the last time this has happened. These incidents are unfortunate and should not have happened in the first place.
My fear is different. The communities that have traditionally been always against us have already started calling us ‘Taliban’. Their game plan is simple. JATS have already been divided by them into two nations. They have also started buying our lands. Now they want to term us Taliban and may be ban us from these lands. It is high time JAT politicians show some guts and announce it loud and clear that this is our tradition. Failing to do so and any delay in showing a united front will lead to incalculable harm to us. That day is not far off when there will be a turmoil in society. Ar bhai, jis din JAT chhidd gya, te RAM bhi beech mein na aawe… Ar manne issa laage se ak JAT ke chhidden ke din aan ne hore sein…
Best regards,
JS Malik