As determined farmers from across India brave cold winter nights, sleeping on streets, tractors and in makeshift tents, it has been disheartening to see how poorly they have been portrayed by many media outlets. Joining these unprofessional organizations are hate-filled pseudo-celebrities and other ignorant people, all of whom are intent on misleading the world and discrediting these courageous men and women.

First and foremost, this is not about religion, so please stop trying to making it so. The fact that the vast majority of the protesting farmers belong to the Sikh faith does not make this a Sikh protest. This is about the rights of farmers as a collective, regardless of faith.

Your poorly thought-out news reports and baseless accusations made against the men and women protesting in India and abroad are a joke. You are accusing 70-80 year old people who have left their villages and farms behind of fanning the flames of intolerance and hatred, when in fact it is you doing so. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

This is yet another example of biased and irresponsible reporting and the spreading of misinformation. This tabloid-style approach will not work, because for every fake story you report and every false claim you share, we will share the truth.

We will show the world how the protesters are serving meals to the very people who are peppering them with tear gas and soaking them with ice cold water.

We will share images of Hindu, Muslim and Sikhs holding prayers – united.

We will continue to discredit your Kangana’s with our Diljit’s.

You see, there may be more of you and you might have more resources than us, but much like the 300 Spartans led by King Leonidas at Thermopylae, we will stand our ground. What differentiates us from the Spartans was that they were led by a man, who although great, is no match for what we are led by:

Love.

Your hate and lies will not win; they do not stand a chance.

You paint these farmers as uneducated simpletons, failing to realize that they made the decision to forgo their education so you and your families could have food on your tables.

Instead of gratitude, you look down on them. Shame on you.

Instead of holding them in high regard for their work ethic, determination and kindness, you attempt to vilify them. Shame on you.

You also fail to realize that although these farmers may not be as educated as you, their supporters are. Behind these men and women stand millions of people who possess all the academic accolades you hold in such high regard, and then some. We will not let you spread lies about them.

But, if after all this, you continue to paint this as a Sikh struggle, then we humbly request that you look at the very first word of our holy scripture, which we are confident you have never even attempted to read, let alone understand.

So let us educate you. The scripture does not begin with a word, but rather a number.

The number 1.
Unity.
Oneness.
Equality.
Love.

That is what this is about, and that is what we will continue to show.

Farmers from Punjab are peacefully marching in India, only to be met with barricades, water cannons and tear gas. Sitting thousands of miles away, it is easy to perceive this as happening in a distant place, thinking it doesn’t have much impact on us and our lives.

This could not be further from the truth, for many of us born and living abroad would have been a part of those marches had it not been for fortune, luck, kismet or whatever else you wish to call it.

We would have been those men and women we see pushing away those barricades.

We would have been the ones getting soaked with ice-cold water in a harsh North Indian winter.

Our parents would have been the elderly getting beat by sticks and doused with tear gas.

Just because we are not there doesn’t mean it doesn’t impact us. Much like the leaves on the most distant branches of a magnificent tree remain connected to its roots, we too have common roots and a deep connection with these men and women.

They are our parents, our brothers, our sisters…they are us. Within our veins runs the same blood, of warriors, poets, saints, and revolutionaries. We are those farmers.

We owe it to them to show our support in whichever way possible. Educate yourselves. Create awareness. Speak up.

For those who are not from Punjab but still trace their roots back to India, remind yourself that these are the descendants of the brave people who have defended the homeland of your forefathers from invaders for centuries. Without their sacrifice, it is likely the country you identify with would look quite different. They deserve your support.

If you are not Indian, the not too distant ancestors of these people served with great courage in almost every major global conflict over the last century. They have bled and died for our freedom, all without complaint, because it was the right thing to do. They deserve your support.

As we watch these men and women fight so valiantly for their livelihoods, I am reminded of the words of the great MLK:

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

We owe it to them to add our voices to theirs.