The revolutionary dynamism introduced by Guru Gobind Singh ji brought about a complete change in the society. People had never heard their own voice freely expressed without inhibitions. People lived a life that was heavily burdened by restraints, restrictions and reticence. Kings and kingships were the order of the day. Guru Gobind Singh ji's epoch - making animation infused life into the dead, but breathing humanity. It was a unique form of democracy that was founded on the Vaisakhi day of 1699. He first initiated the five beloved-ones and then knelt in front of them and asked for initiation into the Khalsa Panth. It was an exceptional and unparallel form of democracy to be found in world history.

It was not only the founding of the voice of the people in political and religious decisions, but also the founding of a nation that had respect for the voice of the people. He liberated the oppressed, persecuted and maltreated masses. They saw a glow of freedom and liberty. In the political thought and practice of Guru Gobind Singh ji there was no place for severity, subjugation and tyranny. He founded a society based on justice, righteousness and integrity. He freed the masses from the shackles of brutality and misery.

He also introduced direct democracy known as Gurmata in the Khalsa Panth. He wanted to ensure that the collective will of the people prevailed and there were no prohibitions and inhibitions in the expression of thought and cogitation. Guru Gobind Singh ji bestowed sovereignty on the Khalsa Panth when he requested the Panj Pyaras to initiate him into the fold of the Khalsa Panth.

We can find examples of this democracy practiced in Sikh history. At Chamkaur Sahib the Panj Pyaras ordered Guru Gobind Singh ji to leave the fortress and save his life for the sake of humanity. Guru ji bowed to the order of the five Sikhs whom he had made supreme on the Vaisakhi day of 1699 A.D.

Guru Gobind Singh ji believed in a society that offered equality to all human beings. He tore down the artificial walls of the caste system that divided humanity. The Saint Soldiers of the Khalsa Panth did not believe in wrong practices, rituals and superstitions. He infused a new spirit into the lifeless society and this new spirit gave the society a new vision that was optimistic, bright and sanguine. Their political vision was based on the bani of Guru Teg Bahadur ji : "Fighten none nor be afraid of anyone." This is our sacred mission given to us by our Guru jis. We will always respect it and give it a place in our hearts. The Khalsa will never frighten or threaten anyone. Coercion of others is against the very principles of Sikhism. We respect the opinion of others as we were initiated by Guru Gobind Singh ji to respect and venerate the opinion of others. In fact, it is our duty to be watchful that none is coerced, frightened or impelled by anyone. Sikhism was born to uphold the rights, opinions and sentiments of others.

Those rulers who oppressed, persecuted and tyrannized the masses were called butchers by Guru Nanak Dev ji himself. On page 1288 of the S.G.G.S. he writes : "The kings are tigers and the courtiers dogs, they go and harass or awaken the sitting and the sleeping ones."

Thus Sikhism was founded to protect the rights and freedom of mankind. They were taught to love mankind irrespective of their castes, creed and race. They honoured and revered the women folk. They freed them from the clutches of the enemies and sent them safely to their families or homes.

Guru Nanak Dev ji expressed abhorrence for kings and kingships as they had fallen into a deep abyss of cruelty and tyranny. They had reduced the masses to the level of slaves. Guru Nanak Dev ji called them butchers on page 145 of the S.G.G.S. :

"This age is like a drawn knife ; the kings are butchers and righteousness has taken to wings. In this dark night of falsehood, the moon of truth is not visible."

When Guru Gobind Singh ji initiated the Saint Soldier who would lay down his life for the establishment of justice and righteousness. He declared that all men are equal irrespective of their caste, colour or creed. Everyone has the right to enjoy the freedom given to him by nature.