Politics of Justice and Righteousness

In today&rsquos turbulent world, politics is increasingly becoming a battlefield of manipulation, deception, and the pursuit of power at any cost. Across nations, we see governments being overthrown by violence or weakened by false narratives. In such a climate, society is left confused about what is right and what is wrong, what leads to progress and what leads to destruction. This is not just an international phenomenon India, too, has its share of challenges, but at the same time, it offers the world a unique vision of politics rooted in ethics, spirituality, and justice.

Human civilization has always debated the right way to govern. Some saw politics as the art of survival, others as the science of power. In the West, Niccolò Machiavelli shaped the doctrine that rulers must rely on cunning, deception, and fear to maintain control. His advice that &ldquoit is safer to be feared than loved&rdquo has guided many authoritarian regimes. This method creates temporary empires but leaves behind scars of mistrust and fear. Closer home, India had its own strategist, Chanakya, who, in his Arthashastra, laid down rules of governance based on diplomacy, intelligence, law, and foresight. He believed in dharma but also insisted that survival of the state was the first duty of the ruler, even if it meant using harsh measures. His ideas were deeply practical and gave stability, but sometimes at the cost of compassion.

Yet, India&rsquos spiritual heritage offered a different path. The Bhagavad Gita, in its dialogue between Shri Krishna and Arjuna, teaches that politics and life must be rooted in dharma &mdash righteous duty. When Arjuna is confused about right and wrong on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Krishna guides him that action must be selfless, without attachment to reward, and aligned with justice. The concept of Ram Rajya further refines this vision, where governance is marked by justice, equality, and care for every subject. In Ram Rajya, no one is left hungry or oppressed, and the king becomes the servant of his people, not their . This ideal left a deep imprint on Indian consciousness and continues to inspire leaders who seek to balance power with morality.

The Sikh Gurus carried this philosophy further. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, was not only a spiritual guide but also a revolutionary thinker on governance. In Guru Granth Sahib Ji, he declared: &ldquoRaja chuli niun ki&rdquo (SGGS Ang 1240), meaning that the king is like a balance-scale he must always uphold justice with fairness. A ruler who does not practice justice, however mighty he may appear, has no legitimacy. Guru Nanak&rsquos vision of Halemi Raj was a kingdom of humility, where no one oppressed another, where everyone lived in dignity, and where compassion guided the ruler&rsquos policies. It was not a dream but a practical political , rooted in ethics and equality.

This vision reached its full flowering in Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He gave politics a new language of courage and sacrifice. In the Zafarnama, his celebrated letter to Emperor Aurangzeb, he wrote: &ldquoChu kar hama hiltae dar guzast, halal ast burdan ba shamsheer dast&rdquo &mdash when all other means have failed, it is righteous to draw the sword. For him, politics was not about conquest but about defending the weak and standing up to tyranny. He established the Khalsa as saint-soldiers &mdash men and women who would never abandon righteous deeds (shubh karman te kabhoon na taron), who would plan with determination (nischey kar apni jeet karo), and who would be ready to die fighting when injustice crossed all limits. This was not just politics it was the blending of morality, spirituality, and sovereignty.

Later, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, often called the Lion of Punjab, turned this vision into practice. His empire in the early 19th century was a living example of Halemi Raj and Ram Rajya combined. Under his rule, justice was delivered without discrimination, religious freedom was respected, and development flourished. Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims all found representation in his court. He rebuilt temples destroyed in invasions, supported gurdwaras, and ensured that mosques too were respected. His governance was not guided by Machiavellian fear but by Sikh philosophy of humility and service. He created an atmosphere where Punjab prospered in trade, culture, and security. This of inclusive and just governance remains unmatched in South Asian history.

When we contrast these traditions with today&rsquos political climate, the difference is striking. Modern politics, both in India and abroad, is often dominated by Machiavellian tactics &mdash manipulation of truth, creation of false narratives, and pursuit of power without concern for justice. This breeds instability and distrust in society. Violence is glorified as revolution, and misleading propaganda confuses the public. Yet, India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought to return to the principles of dharma-driven governance. His policies have emphasized development, national strength, and global leadership. Today, India is counted among the world&rsquos major political and economic powers, not merely because of its size but because of its vision.

In this journey, India draws strength from its civilizational ethos &mdash from the Gita&rsquos call to righteous action, from Ram Rajya&rsquos of justice, from Guru Nanak&rsquos vision of Halemi Raj, and from Guru Gobind Singh Ji&rsquos courage to stand against tyranny. Together, these philosophies remind us that politics cannot be divorced from morality. Without justice, power becomes tyranny. Without humility, strength becomes arrogance. Without courage, governance becomes helplessness. True progress comes only when rulers see themselves as servants of the people, guided by fairness, courage, and compassion.

For Punjab, this message has special relevance. This land has witnessed both Ram Rajya and Halemi Raj in practice. It has produced leaders who blended justice with compassion, and warriors who gave their lives for righteousness. Yet, in recent decades, politics in Punjab seems to have drifted toward Machiavellian ways &mdash manipulation, false narratives, and attempts to weaken national unity. Instead of building on the glorious legacy of Guru Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and Maharaja Ranjit Singh, politics has too often been reduced to blame-games and imaginary allegations. This has weakened the state, both economically and socially.

What Punjab needs today is not more division but a revival of its true legacy &mdash the legacy of just, inclusive, and developmental governance. Maharaja Ranjit Singh&rsquos of fairness and prosperity should be replicated, not forgotten. The concept of Halemi Raj must guide policy-making, where every citizen &mdash Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Christian &mdash lives with dignity and hope. Above all, the national government must be seen not as an adversary but as a partner. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has put India firmly on the path of development and global leadership, deserves respect and support. He should be made a patron in Punjab&rsquos growth story, so that the state can rise again to its rightful place as a land of prosperity, culture, and courage.

Punjab has always been the sword-arm of India, but it must also become the torchbearer of justice and development. Its future cannot be built on Machiavellian politics of deception, but on the Sikh philosophy of courage, humility, and justice. That is the only way to restore dignity to governance, bring harmony to society, and ensure progress for generations to come.

Iqbal Singh Lalpura

Former Chairman, National Commission for Minorities, Government of India