In an interview with Karan Thapar for The Wire Arun Shourie, who is also a reputed author and a former editor of the Indian Express, said the Modi government does not understand the character and traditions of the Sikh community. He said, “a Sikh is always ready for a fight and, when he fights, he fights to the finish.” He added that a Sikh “learns this with his mother’s milk”. On the other hand, the government thinks “everyone can be purchased and everyone is open to a deal”.
Arun Shourie said that “nothing is more important to a Sikh than the notion of self-respect”. He said a Sikh “will go to any extent to get what he thinks is right”. Arun Shourie told The Wire that the government doesn’t understand “the strong sense of community and sacrifice” which is part of the Sikh tradition. It gives the Sikh community solidarity that most other communities in India do not have.