Shaheed Jathedar Amreek Singh Ji

Shaheed Jathedar Amreek Singh Ji was born 1957 to Harbhajan Kaur and Kundan Singh in the village of Kajala in Amritsar. He has one elder and four younger brothers.After completing his primary education he was not interested in studying any more. He had a great love for Gurbani and Sikh History.He was a very compassionate soul and felt distressed at the sight of needy people. To help them he gave money and things from his house and even the clothes he was wearing without any hesitation. Once when he was doing Sewa for the Guru's Sangat, when he could not get the money he needed, he sold a ring made of gold from his home. Though only a young man, he was honoured with the position of Jathedar at Sri Akal Takht Sahib because he persuaded many people to come here and take Amrit. He himself took Amrit from here six years earlier.He had a daily routine of reciting Naam-Bani at Amrit Vela. No matter how late he was in Satsang the night before he would always be awake for Amrit Vela. At Rehras time in the evening, he would stop his work, no matter how important it was and be present for the Rehras Divaan and bring others with him. This was a part of his Nitnem. After the morning's Nitnem he would not eat any food before doing Darshan of Guru Sahib.Bhai Amreek Singh was always doing Sangat of Gurmukhs or Sangat at the Guru’s house, and he was always strict in his Rehni-Behni according to Gurmat Bebek. He also acquired a love for Sarbloh Rehni (eating in iron utensils). He would always keep his Bata (iron utensil) shining and would never let anyone who had not taken Amrit use it.He persuaded the workers who helped his mother and father with the farming work and many other people to tread the Guru's path. Even though his family was well off he still wore simple Gursikhi clothes. He would never tolerate anybody who showed disrespect towards Guru Sahib.On Vaisakhi day Bhai Amreek Singh woke up at Amrit Vela and did his Ishnaan and Nitnem. He then went to the Gurdwara and then went to meet Jathedar Kala Singh who was staying at room number five at Guru Nanak Niwas. He then left his shoes there and bathed at the Holy Amritsar Sarowar. Afterwards he walked around Akal Takht Sahib, did Darshan of the Shastars, thought about the Shaheeds and did Ardas that he may also be able to give Kurbani for his Guru and Panth. He then walked around the Nishaan Sahib reading parts of the Hukamnama:

Kaya kagad mun parwana Sir ke lek na parey Iana

(Dhanasari Mahalla 5, Panna 662)

He met a Gurmukh on the way to the Divaan who says to him, "Singh of the Guru, today is the time for Kurbani, Guru Ji is in need of a head. The Singhs are preparing to go and stop the insults being shouted against our Guru, you should also be present". Then Bhai Amreek Singh walks towards the Guru's Army. As he was walking he was about to drink water to quench his thirst, when another Gursikh took the glass he reached out for. Then he did not care for water or langar or bother to put his shoes on, and went forward to offer Shaheedi. As he received bullets, he shouted out 'Fateh' and died a Shaheed.

Shaheed Bhai Manmohan Singh Ji

Shaheed Bhai Manmohan Singh was 29 years old at the time of his martyrdom. His father, Sardar Charan Singh moved from village Firookaa Dist. Sargodha to Kanpur after Partition. Sardar Charan Singh was a very well known cloth dealer in the city, and also did much anonymous service for the Gurdvara. The entire family was very well liked and had deep devotion for the Guru. The Shaheed's grandfather, Sardar Sundar Singh took part in the Kirpan Agitation against the British and then also participted in the Guru Kaa Bagh Morcha, where he cheerfully accepted the police's blows.Bhai Manmohan Singh had at age 24 been married to Sardar Bahadar Singh Bajaj's daughter, Jasbeer Kaur, and had a one and a half-year-old child.Bhai Manmohan Singh had taken part in the protest march against the Narkdharis. When the Sikh Sangat scattered at 10AM when the bullets began to fly, Bhai Manmohan Singh also escaped. When he returned to the scene at 12.30PM to retrieve his scooter, the police fired upon him and struck him in the back, head and chest, thus martyring him.

Shaheed Bhai Kishan Singh Ji

Bhai Kishan Singh was born in village Kotlaajaam dist Meeaavalee Pakistan. His father was Sardar Tikan Singh. From his childhood, Bhai Kishan Singh had great faith for the Guru and was forever a humble servant, and always at the forefront of any Panthic affair. After partition, he moved from Dera Ismael Khan to Kanpur. He began to work with SP Engineering Corp. but for his final four years, served Sri Guru Granth Sahib at Gurdwara Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib in Gobind Nagar. He lived an exceptionally simple life.Bhai Kishan Singh was filled to the brim with Panthic fervour and desire to serve the nation. During the 1960 Punjabi Suba Agitation, he courted arrest at Gurdwara Sees Ganj Saahib Delhi and spent six months in prison before being released in 1961 at the end of the morcha.Before leaving for the protest march against the Narkdharis, Bhai Kishan Singh told his family "my worldy association with you has now ended". His family accompanied him to the march.First bricks and staff blows rained down upon Bhai Kishan Singh's head and then he was struck by three bullets: in the arm, stomach and shoulder. He was taken to the hospital where he was given 5 bottles of blood and an operation was performed. All this was to no avail, and at the age of 64, Bhai Kishan Singh went to reside at the feet of the Guru.

Shaheed Bhai Kashmira Singh Ji

Bhai Kashmira Singh was born on June 5th, 1943 at village Behlay Dist. Amritsar. His parents were Sardar Kundan Singh and Mata Harnaam Kaur. Bhai Kashmira Singh received his early education at Tower School in Taran Taaran and then enrolled in the Government Secondary School. Because he was inclined towards spirituality from a very early age, he only studied till the seventh grade and then left school to spend all his time in meditation.During the Punjabi Suba Agitation in 1960, Bhai Kashmira Singh spent five months in prison. After his release, he moved to Kanpur where his elder sister lived and began to work as a driver. During the 1965 Indo-Pak war, he served in the "Survey of India" and at this time he was married to Bibi Mahinder Kaur. Because his drive towards spirituality was so great, he left his job and moved back to Kanpur where he immersed himself in the study of SGGS, Sikh history and Gurbani. This lifestyle had a major effect on those around him and gursikhs would constantly be coming and going in his house at Gobind Nagar.He would join the sangat to celebrate Gurpurabs with great enthusiasm and the sangat would enjoy the blissful bani he would read. At his dera, akhand paaths and langar were always running. Where he would do very good exposition of Gurbani, he was also a great lover of listening to and doing keertan.When the march to the Narkhdari's bhavan took place, Bhai Kashmira Singh participated with excitement. We are told that Narkdhari Gurbachana's first shot hit the Shaheed in the thigh. In total Bhai Kashmira Singh was struck by 6 bullets: 4 in the chest and 2 in the thighs. He didn't turn his back from the fight and in this way, gave his life to maintain the respect of Guru Sahib.

Shaheed Bhai Jagjeet Singh Ji

Shaheed Bhai Jagjeet Singh was born in Kanpur. The Shaheed's parents were from village Kazee Chak Dist. Jehlum Pakistan, and moved to Kanpur after Partition. First Bhai Jagjeet Singh comepleted his early education at Guru Nanak School and then was doing his BA at the NSD College. His parents, Sardar Gurdial Singh and Mata Mahinder Kaur are fortunate and blessed to have had a son who sacrificed his life for the love of the Guru. Bhai Jagjeet Singh had five brothers: four older, one younger and one sister.With the exception of the two elder boys in the family, the rest of the family was amritdhari. Both his mother and sister have keskees and his sister, Ikbaal Kaur goes to school with her keski despite all hardships. When Bhai Jagjeet Singh was martyred, his sister and mother were also walking in the protest march against the Narkdharis. His mother was struck with a rock in the head but she did not panic and continued to walk with the sangat in high spirits.Bhai Jagjeet Singh's brother, Bhai Surinder Singh first began to keep the company of the Akhand Kertani Jatha and by seeing their brother's new lifestyle, Bhai Jagjeet Singh, brother Jasbeer Singh, sister Ikbaal Kaur and the youngest brother, Charanjeet Singh also received amrit at the hands of the Jatha. The parents of the family appeared before the Punj Pyaray in 1977 at the Delhi Dusehraa Smagam and also began to keep the Khalsa lifestyle.In November 1973, at the home of Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Ji Bibekee of Kanpur, the Akhand Keertani Jatha organised an amrit sinchaar. At this smagam Bhai Jagjeet Singh Ji and others came for the gift of amrit. Bhai Gurcharanjeet Singh Ji, who was at the smagam to have his small child receive amrit writes that Bhai Jagjeet Singh was in an indescribable state and all were amazed at the way the colours of naam dyed this young man after he received amrit. Once naam was imparted, his khanda began to go with so much power that it seemed as if he had been a long time abhyasi.After receiving amrit, Bhai Jagjeet Singh always attended AKJ smagams and didn't let any keertan pass. For a long time, he went about anonymously. In such a small age, he had such deep and far-sighted thoughts about the state of the Panth, that even an Army General would be put to shame.At the end of 1976, Bhai Jagjeet Singh went to stay at Bhai Fauja Singh's Khalsa Farm in Gurdaspur. He was happy to spend the majority of his time in the company of Bhai Fauja Singh . He learned gatka at the farm with great dedication.When the bloody events of the 1978 Vaisakhi Massacre occurred, Bhai Jagjeet Singh was visiting Hazoor Sahib and he deeply regretted having been absent. He would often say "so many beloveds of the guru died and the Panth still is asleep?" He would agonise over the low-spirit in the Panth.Bhai Jagjeet Singh was an active member of the Sikh Students' Federation. He also went from village to village in Rajasthan with the Panj Pyaray for amrit sinchaars and had many people receive amrit and dedicate their lives to the Guru. Because of Bhai Jagjeet Singh's efforts, no Sikh can be found drinking alcohol in the entire area of Bheelvara.Bhai Jagjeet Singh had a great enthusiasm for martyrdom and constantly begged the guru, "True King, please accept this useless body in your service".A month before his martyrdom, Bhai Jagjeet Singh went to college to give a test for his BA but on each page, all he wrote was "Vahiguru, Vahiguru, Vahiguru, Vahiguru, Vahiguru". When he was asked why he had done this, he replied, "the real test is something else, I'm preparing for that examination." It is said that some days before his martyrdom, Sri Guru Gobind Singh visited the Shaheed in a dream and told him he would become a martyr. Two days before his martyrdom, Bhai Jagjeet Singh told his grandmother that his end was approaching and that after his passing, no member of the family should weep. Indeed, the entire family, after the martyrdom remained in high spirits and accepted the will of the Guru and obeyed the final wishes of the Shaheed by not displaying any grief.Bhai Jagjeet Singh remained awake all night doing keertan the night before his martyrdom. His desire was so great for martyrdom that on the morning of September 26 at 10AM, as the Sikh Sangat was preparing to march towards the Narkdhari Bhavan, a few Singhs went before everyone else and Bhai Jagjeet Singh was amongst them. Bhai Jagjeet Singh along with Bhai Kishan Singh was the first to enter the Bhavan where the Narkdharis attacked them with sticks and other weapons. The attack left their bodies tattered but gave Bhai Jagjeet Singh the martyrdom he so longed for.

Shaheed Bhai Harcharan Singh Ji

Bhai Harcharan Singh was born in Dehardun UP, but his elders were from village Aisavari Dist. Jehlum Pakistan. Harcharan Singh's father, Sardar Balvant Singh had a transport business and his Grandfather, Sardar Hazoora Singh was a well-known landlord of the area, but despite this, he also participated in the Gurdwara Reform Movement and gave his sacrifices. The entire family had great faith in the Guru and served gursikhs.Bhai Harcharan Singh completed his BA and then joined his father in the transport business. He always selflessly served the Guru Ghar and those in need but never wanted any fame. He would give thousands of rupees without any written account and when asked about it, would simply say "the great-giver is also giving to me limitlessly and without any account".The Shaheed leaves behind his widow Harvinder Kaur and two young daughters aged two and three years respectively. His family was expecting a third child as well. The Shaheed has two older brothers and four elder sisters.Bhai Harcharan Singh used to say "I will not die the death of a dog, I will die like a lion, fighting to the end." The Shaheed performed an ardaas, and in a truck went to march against the faithless Narkdharis, and there he fell, martyred by their bullets.

Shaheed Bhai Gurjeet Singh Ji

Bhai Gurjeet Singh was a BA student in the DAV College Kanpur and was considered a good student as well as the NCC (National Cadet Core) Champion. He had received honours in the Jhansee camp as well as others.The Shaheeds' father, Sardar Joginder Singh had moved from village Vasr Gujarat (Pakistan) to Kanpur. The residents of village Vasr were all well known for their Patnhtic sentiments. Sardar Joginder Singh is a well-known personality in Kanpur where he is an SDO in the Defence Service.When the protest march moved towards the Narkdhari Bhavan, Bhai Gurjeet Singh along with his friends was at the very front of the march and when the bullets began to rain down, he declared "I am not the son of a coward that I will step back. I am Sri Guru Gobind Singh's son and I will go forward" And with this, he fell to the hail of bullets. Bhai Gurjeet Singh's tattered body was, according to the post mortem, hit once in the head, once in the temple, on both sides of the torso, both sides of his legs. once in the chest and once in the chin.

Shaheed Bibi Darshan Kaur Ji

Bibi Darshan Kaur was a very brave and daring woman who had a great enthusiasm for Panthic affairs. Her husband Sardar Harnam Singh is also a very spirited indvidual. Bibi Darshan Kaur Ji's father was Sardar Partap Singh and she married into a family from village Rajat Dist. Campbellpore in 1947.Bibi Ji had a deep love with the Guru Ghar and would always serve Gursikhs who would come to her home. People were all awe struck at the humble service she would give. Bibi Darshan Kaur would never eat without first completing her nitnem.During the 1960s Punjabi Suba Agitation, she, along with her 3-year-old daughter courted arrest and spent six months in jail.In the Kanpur massacre, Bibi Ji was accompanying the march with fervour and fearlessness. The Nirankaris' bullets struck her once in the chest and twice in the legs but she did not step back. In her age of 50 years, she was martyred and gave the entire Sikh community renewed vitality. Bibi Ji had two sons and two daughters, of which one son and one daughter remained to be married.

Shaheed Kaka Balwant Singh Ji

Of all the Kanpur Shaheeds, Balwant Singh was the youngest, at the tender age of only 15. This child was born in Kanpur while his father, Sardar Maha Singh had moved from village Khoreean Dist. Gujarat. This child was only five months old when he was orphaned by the passing of his father. The Shaheed had one sister and three brothers. Their mother, Mata Sumitra Kaur worked in peoples homes and with great effort raised the entire family. This child had received his early education at Guru Nanak School Kanpul and after passing the eight grade began to sell goods from a cart so that the family's expenses could be met.This family had a deep love with the Guru Ghar. The Shaheed's grandfather, Sardar Gian Singh and Great Grandfather Sardar Sukha Singh all served the Panth in the Gurdwara Reform Movement.Shaheed Balwant Singh used to tell his mother "get me the blessings of Sant ji so that my body too can serve the panth." Four bullets struck the Shaheed's body and a sword had cut his jaw. Bhai Gurcharan Singh, Balwant Singh's older brother was also hospitalised with a bullet in the right side of his torso.

1978 Kanpur Massacre

After the Vaisakhi Massacre of 1978, a peaceful agitation was started against the Nirankaris. Wherever they held their meetings, Gursikhs would go and strongly protest. Thus Gurbachan Singh was unable to address the meetings held at Varanasi, Azamgarh and Allahbad. On 25th September 1978, Gurbachan Singh reached Kanpur at 9.30pm flanked by police officers ordered to provide protection.The news soon leaked out and Sikhs started a protest march from Gurdwara Gobindpuri Sahib Ji, which is three kilometres away from the Nirankari Bhawan in Kanpur. Women and children were also amongst the protesters. The Nirankari chief had again made full preparations for the Sikhs.When the Sikh protesters reached the Nirankari Bhawan, the Nirankaris attacked them with brickbats and shotguns. An armed volunteer of the Nirankaris attacked Jathedar Kishan Singh with a spear, piercing his stomach. A fight ensued, and it was then that the police officers started to shoot at the Sikh protesters. As a result, thirteen Sikhs were martyred while a further seventy-four were injured.This incident further increased Sikh resentment against Nirankaris and the Indian government. On 28th September, the bodies of those killed at Kanpur were carried in huge procession. The day before, the Sikhs of Amritsar, Delhi, Bombay, Lucknow, Kanpur and many other places observed a one-day protest strike.The names of some of these Shaheeds are: Bibi Darshan Kaur, Bhai Jagjit Singh, Bhai Harcharan Singh, Jathedar Karam Singh, Jathedar Kishan Singh, Baba Kashmira Singh, Bhai Manmohan Singh, Bhai Gurbir Singh, Bhai Balwant Singh and Bhai Gurjit Singh.As tempers ran high, the Punjab Government decided to ban the Nirankari Chief from entering Punjab for six months. Gurbachan Singh challenged this in the Supreme Court and the ban was lifted.On the 30th September 1978, the Sikhs of Delhi organised a protest march and presented a memorandum to the Government of India, which demanded that all Nirankari 'Smagams' be banned. On 4th November 1978, the Nirankaris sent out a procession in Delhi to mark their annual conference. The Sikhs retaliated with a counter protest march that ended in bloodshed. The President of the Delhi Akali Dal, Avtar Singh Kohli, was hit on the head by a police-fired tear gas shell and was killed. Aside from him, Bhai Darshan Singh and thirteen-year old Maninder Singh were also Shaheed. Nine other Sikhs received injuries.During the 5th and 6th November 1978, disturbances broke out in parts of Delhi and a curfew was imposed. Jan Sangh (BJP) workers provided a protection force, enabling the Nirankaris to continue their functions despite disturbances throughout the city. Many Arya Samaj leaders, including Lala Jagat Narain, gave speeches supporting the Nirankaris. This gave a new direction to the anti-Nirankari agitation. The Sikhs now strongly felt that the majority Hindu community in India was in support of the Nirankaris and their activities.The Sikhs decided to take matters into their own hands following the failure of peaceful means.This time they were to obey Guru Gobind Singh Ji's instruction:"When all means of redressing a wrong have failed, it is both just and righteous to unsheath the sword".Bhai Ranjit Singh, a member of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha along with two other Gursikhs assassinated the Nirankari chief at his home on April 24th 1980. Bhai Ranjit Singh had managed to find employment at the Nirankari headquarters in Delhi, posing as a carpenter. Later that evening, he waited with an automatic rifle in a room within their guesthouse. One of the windows gave a clear view of the driveway.At about 11pm, he shot Gurbachan Singh from his position just as he returned home from a public function. Bhai Ranjit Singh managed to escape by jumping down onto a compound wall.Bhai Sukhdev Singh Babbar, Jathedar of Babbar Khalsa, was a very close friend of Bhai Fauja Singh. He heard the news of Bhai Fauja Singh's martyrdom while his Anand Karaj ceremony was being performed. He left his newly wed wife and rushed directly to Amritsar. He played a major part in eliminating the Nirankaris, including the assassination of the Nirankaris 'Sat Sitaare'. Later he went underground from where he led the Khalistan movement for fourteen years, before attaining martyrdom on 9th August 1992.Baba Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala emerged after the Amritsar Massacre as the pivotal figure spearheading the Sikh response to the Indian government of Indira Gandhi. The situation deteriorated as the government continued its policy of undermining the Sikh nation. This included the extensive murder, rape and humiliation of Sikhs, particularly Sikh youth. Baba Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala educated the Sikh masses about the central government's anti-Sikh policies and discriminations and brought many onto the path of Sikhi through his teachings.Frustration grew amongst the Sikh masses against the government and the Hindu media barons, such as Lala Jagat Narain, who deliberately and consistently depicted Sikhs as 'terrorists'. Baba Jarnail Singh's popularity became a threat to the government that had by then began to plan Operation Bluestar to bring the Sikh Panth to heel by attacking their temporal and spiritual sovereignty.

Shaheed Bhai Inderjeet Singh Jammu

Shaheed Bhai Inderjeet Singh Jammu was born on the 26th of January 1967 into the house of Bhai Gurcharan Singh Fauji and Bibi Amarjeet Kaur. Bhai Sahib's family hailed from the village Batot, Guhar in the hill areas of Jammu & Kashmir. Bhai Sahib was the eldest of 6 brothers and sisters.Bhai Inderjeet Singh became attached to Gurbani at a very young age and at the tender age of 10 was often on the Gurdwara Sahib stages reciting poems of Jujharoo Singh's and talking of Panthic issues.Bhai Sahib studied till 10th class at Government Secondary school before taking admission in ITI Electronics. Whilst completing his studies Bhai Sahib became very active in Gurmat Smagams. Bhai Sahib heard news of the unsettling situation of Panjab and decided to go to Amritsar. Upon reaching Amritsar Bhai Sahib met Singhs from Ajnala who took him to the residence of Sant Dyal Singh Lachmansar, however Bhai Sahib felt uncomfortable here and one day left to have a glimpse of Sri Darbar Sahib.Bhai Sahib had desired to meet Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale as he had heard from many people that Sant Ji was a majestic saint. Upon meeting with Sant Jarnail Singh, Bhai Sahib expressed his wish to stay with Sant Jarnail Singh and the Jatha; Sant Jarnail Singh obliged and introduced Bhai Sahib to the rest of the Singhs. Sant Dyal Singh tried to stop Bhai Inderjeet Singh, but Bhai Sahib nevertheless went on to join Sant Ji and the Jatha. Bhai Sahib's family yearned to meet him, but he told them that he was now only dedicated to his service for the Kaum. A few days prior to the Indian Army attack on Sri Darbar Sahib, Bhai Sahib wrote a final letter to his parents, in which he mentioned the Army taking up positions around Sri Darbar Sahib.During the Indian Army’s attack on Sri Darbar Sahib, Bhai Inderjeet Singh was positioned at the water tanks by General Shabeg Singh Ji. From this position Bhai Sahib eliminated any officers advancing towards Darbar Sahib in a quick hail of bullets. Bhai Sahib used the advantages of being on the water tank very wisely; from here he had gained a height advantage and could locate the positions of the Indian Army and began eliminating those within firing range. Bhai Sahib fulfilled the duty assigned to him to the highest extent and caused major casualties within the Indian Army ranks thus stopping them from making any progress.On the 3rd of June 1984, Bhai Sahib's duty was changed; he was now assigned to the top floor of the Sham Singh Dera Building. This building is located on the Amritsar flour market side. From this positioning Bhai Sahib had a clear view of the Indian Army’s positions and was able to fire at them with ease. The brave warrior once again fulfilled the duty assigned to him by General Shabeg Singh Ji and continued causing heavy casualties and chaos amongst the Indian Army ranks.On the morning of the 7th June, at 11am the Indian Army focused its attention on the Sham Singh Dera Building, the position was attacked with heavy force in which many Singh’s attained Shaheedi. The remaining Singh’s, including Bhai Inderjeet Singh, were now out of ammunition, they had no food supplies and had been hungry for days they had become very weak due to this. The Indian Army entered the building and arrested these Singh’s. These Singh’s were not spared by the brutal Indian Army Forces. Bhai Inderjeet Singh along with 21 other Singh’s were simultaneously fired upon, thus attaining Shaheedi.The news of Bhai Sahib's Shaheedi reached his family via Baba Dyal Singh.The brave warrior son of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (aged only 17 years and 5 months) did not only leave his name in the history books but left the world with the title all warriors pray for: Martyrdom.After the Shaheedi of Bhai Inderjeet Singh Jammu, Sardar Gurcharan Singh Fauji and Mata Amarjeet Kaur felt no sorrow, but instead Mata Amarjeet Kaur said in her Ardaas
"Hey Sache Patshah! Main Apnay Putra’cho Apna Dasvand Day Ditta"Oh My Beloved True Lord I paid my debt of dasvand (10%) in the form of my son.Bhai Sahib's family today still remember and keep the loving spirit of there brave son alive.

Shaheed Bhai Varinder Singh Dakha

The village Dakha of District Ludhiana is usually associated with Army Colonels & Generals, Literature scholars and highly educated people. But in the height of the Sikh Movement for Liberation, dozens of Jujharoos (Freedom Fighters) from this village attained Shaheedi (Martyrdom), one such brave warrior was Varinder Singh Dakha, who had dedicated his life for the cause from the very beginning.Bhai Sahib was born on the 22nd of September, 1965 into the house of Mata Harbans Kaur and Sardar Bachittar Singh. After studying till the 10th class in Dakha, Varinder Singh passed his Prep at Jagraon, after which he enrolled at Guru Tegh Bahadur College in Dakha. Bhai Sahib was a top kabbadi and hockey player.After the Indian Army attack on Sri Darbar Sahib, Bhai Sahib, like many other youngsters, entered the Sikh Liberation Movement. Bhai Varinder Singh had previously courted arrest in the Dharam Yudh Morcha's peaceful agitations. Here he had met Shaheed Bhai Jarnail Singh Halwara and Bhai Charanjit Singh Channi (Talwandi Rai) under whose guidance Bhai Sahib was convinced to join the movement. After the assassination of Harchand Singh Longowal, and mention of Bhai Sahib's name, Bhai Varinder Singh Dakha became a wanted man, thus he operated under the new name of Vikram Singh. In Ludhiana district Bhai Sahib's name became attached to Bhai Jarnail Singh Halwara, and stories of his bravery began to circulate.Varinder Singh Dakha was as strong and pure on the inside as he was on the outside. This was one reason Shaheed General Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala kept him close to his heart, he was not only a great warrior under his command but also a great friend. Bhai Varinder Singh Dakha and Gurjant Singh Budhsingwala had promised each other that if one was to attain Shaheedi the other would not perform his final ardas until he had eliminated his killers.On the 9th of September 1987 Bhai Varinder Singh Dakha was killed in a fake police encounter near the Sirhind canal by Patiala police. Bhai Gurjant Singh keeping true to his word and promise to his close friend did not perform the final rites of Bhai Varinder Singh Dakha until he had eliminated the main culprits of Bhai Sahib's death. It took almost a year for Bhai Gurjant Singh to fulfil his promise, and after he had eliminated 2 of the police officers responsible, Bhai Gurjant Singh accepting full responsibility for the action, announced Bhai Varinder Singh's bhog on the front pages of the newspapers. This showed that whatever the brave warriors wanted to accomplish they could do so.Bhai Sahib's Shaheedi was a big shock to all his loved ones. One of whom was his mother. Mata Ji knew the path that Bhai Sahib had chosen would result in his Shaheedi, but a mother will always be a mother and after Bhai Sahib's Shaheedi, mata Ji was left heart broken, a few years later Mata Ji also left the world. Bhai Sahib's father had become disabled a few years earlier and was for this reason was unable to work. Bhai Sahib’s family was constantly harassed by the Punjab Police, but the endless endurance of brutality and oppression at the hands of the Punjab Police was not able to break the spirit of the brothers and sisters of Bhai Varinder Singh. Accepting it all as God’s will the family did not lose morale and continued with life as best they could.

Shaheed Master Sukhwinder Singh Babbar

Shaheed Master Sukhwinder Singh Babbar was born on April 8, 1955 in village Daabaa(n)vala, Batala, District Gurdaspur. His father was Sardar Bakhshish Singh and mother Bibi Jageer Kaur. Master Ji had 4 brothers and one sister. Master Ji first studied in village Aliwal and then went to Bering College Batala where he graduated and then went on to study at CPID Mohali. After graduating he took a job as a teacher in Kadeeaa(n). He began to be called "Master" after this point.Master Ji, along with his worldly studies also read a lot of Gurbani. He began to do the sangat of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale and after finishing his work at the school, used to go do sangat with Sant Ji. While teaching at the school, he also began to participate in the Dharam Yudh Morcha.The events of June 1984 broke Master Ji's heart. He was so badly hurt that he resigned from his job and began to fight to protect the glory of the Sikhs and he never looked back again.The police began to daily make raids at Master Ji's home but he was never captured. Master Ji went underground and joined Babbar Khalsa and became an active member. Master Ji was of a very sweet nature and took pleasure in helping the needy and helpless. He would constantly be repeating Gurbani. He was very wise and knowledgeable as well. Master Ji was soon appointed the Jathedar of the Majha area. Master Ji used to encourage all those in the movement to certainly take their dasvandh out. After every six months Master Ji would go home a nd take the dasvandh from the crops his family had grown. Master Ji's younger brother Rajvinder Singh once said, "our Dasvandh is already taken out because we're almost homeless and can not even plant our crops on time." Master Ji replied, "If Vaheguru did not even give us this much, what would we have done? Taking out dasvandh helps in profit, not harms."Master Ji was firm on his principles and was a true soldier. He told everyone in the Jathebandi to take out their dasvandh and consider it their duty.Once, Master Ji went on a long trip on his bike to get RS100 in dasvandh from a Singh. A Singh in the Jatha asked Master Ji why he took such pains to go get such a small amount. Master Ji replied, "it was that Singh's faith that he wanted to do seva and so his RS 100 is to me like a hundred thousand. On top of that, that Singh will be more attached to us now and if he was giving the dasvandh with such happiness, how could we refuse?" Master Ji served the Jathebandi with full commitment and soon he was chosen to be in the seven member High Command of Babbar Khalsa.On the night of March 21, 1987, Master Ji came home at 12AM and was given some fruit to eat. He looked at the watch and said that it was 12 and thus Amrit vela and he would not eat now. He got up to leave again but called the entire family together first. He said that he had a very important request he sad, "A Singh can be captured or a Singh can also be martyred. If a Singh is captured, don't go after him and if he is martyred, don't weep. Just read as much bani as you can. Finally, when a Singh is martyred, people often give their families money to honour them. I don't want you to even touch any money."After saying this, he left for his destination. No family member could say anything further to him and the entire night they wondered what the meaning was of all this.On March 23, 1987, two days later, the family received news that Master Sukhwinder Singh Babbar had been captured. After countless tries, the family could not get any further information. The police simply said they had not caught him. Soon after, the Jathebandi commemorated his Shaheedi.

Shaheed Bhai Sukhdev Singh Sakheera

Shaheed Bhai Sukhdev Singh Sakheera was born in the house of Sardar Budh Singh and Mata Surjit Kaur. Bhai Sahib had an elder brother, Balbir Singh who became Shaheed in police custody, an elder sister, Dalbir Kaur (whom was married to elder brother of Bhai Anokh Singh Babbar) , a younger sister, Sukhbir Kaur. who was also married, and a younger brother, Waryam Singh who was a farmer.Bhai Sukhdev Singh studied to level 8. In 1980, Bhai Sahib met Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale , and later took Amrit at Damdami Taksal. He became a close companion of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji. He spent time learning Santhia from the Taksal, and even did seva in the Punj Pyare during Amrit Sanchaars. Bhai Sahib was a man of his word, Whatever he said, he made sure he did. Bhai Sahib would give his head for Sikhi and when necessary would also take heads for Sikhi.Bhai Sukhdev Singh Sakheera was very close to Bhai Anokh Singh Babbar. After the horrific events of Amritsar 1978, where Bhai Fauja Singh Ji and 12 Gursikhs were Shaheed, the Babbar Khalsa began a process of elimination of the Nirankari leadership. Bhai sahib's name is also mentioned in some of these plans. His elder sister, being the sister-in-law of Bhai Anokh Singh Babbar led to them being related, and developing a great love for each other and always staying together. Elder bibian who witnessed the two together, one Bhai Sukhdev Singh in Taksali bana, and the other Bhai Anokh Singh Babbar from Akhand Kirtani Jatha, wearing nihang bana, and a dumalla with khanda, and many shasters in his arms. These elder mothers would bow before them and bless them stating, "never let anyones bad sight (maree nazzar) fall upon the two."When the issue of marriage arose, Bhai sahib would state he is already engaged, death is my marriage, the Government has already arranged my wedding day, when the day comes, I will accept the marriage.After the horrific events of Operation Blue Star, nobody imagined that Sikhs would again be a force and capable of standing up to the Indian Government. However Bhai Sahib in his heart was determined. After 1984, he tried to gather the Singhs still alive to create a movement. He worked tirelessly day and night, and wanted to show the world that Singhs are never intimidated and even if death stands in their way, they will never back down. Singhs can be Shaheed, but they will never give up.Bhai Sahib worked intimately within the Sikh Resistance Movement. When Bhai Sahib did katha his charisma shone, and he influenced many people to take Amrit and share the burden of the Sikh Resistance Movement. After the Shaheedi of Baba Jarnail Singh Bhindrawala, Bhai Sahib was the first to openly speak on stage asking youth to take Amrit and fight the Government, as such he became very dangerous to the authorities, who made his elimination a high priority.The Punjab Police put a reward up for the head of Bhai Sukhdev Singh Ji. So Bhai Sahib went underground and joined the ranks of Baba Manochahal, Jathedar Sukhdev Singh Babbar, Bhai Anokh Singh Babbar, Shaheed Bhai Manbeer Singh Chaheru, Bhai Tarsem Singh Kuhar, Bhai Dhaana Singh, Bhai Avtar Singh Brahma, Bhai Durga Singh Arfuke, Bhai Kuldip Singh Muchal, Bhai Gurdev Singh Usmanwale and many other Singhs who now operated underground, working for the establishment of the Free Sikh Raj.The Politics of the time were dominated by Longowal, Badal, Tohra, Talwandi, and Barnala. They all were all of a very dubious nature, and only played self-interest politics. The youth desperate to get rid of these characters set up a new Akali Dal. Simranjit Singh Mann was selected as its first President, and its acting Presidentship was given to Bapu Joginder Singh, father of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale. Senior Sikh leaders pledged support for this new party including Jathedar Ujjagar Singh Sekwon, Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Jathedar Soorat Singh, Charanjit Singh Walia, Jagjit Singh Rode, Jathedar Jagdev Singh Koodian (Shaheed MP) and Sikh Students President Manjit Singh and General Secretary Harminder Singh Sandhu, who was in Jodhpur Jail at that time. Parcharaks such as Amrik Singh Mukhtsar joined them and Bapu Joginder Singh started doing large conferences in Punjab with Amrit Sanchaars, and speeches about the Sikh Movement. The person who brought all of these people together and organised it was Sukhdev Singh Sakheera.After Operation Blue Star, a Shaheedi smagam was held at Chowk Mehta, where the families of Shaheeds were honoured. After listening to the speeches, a five-member Panthic Committee was selected. The vision of Sardar Dalbir Singh, the wisdom of Sardar Kapur Singh, and influence of Dr Sohan Singh led to this happening. Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal was announced as Jathedar of Akal Takhat Sahib. This led to old traditions being brought forward such as the Sarbat Khalsa. Bhai Sahib was staying with Baba Manochahal in village Manochahal, where both escaped from after being surrounded by Police. To attend the Sarbat Khalsa both had to escape from many Police encounters.Sikhs started to get confidence again and awareness spread. At this time, a controversial subject in the Panth became the erection of the Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, which was devastated by tanks and a helicopter gunship in 1984. Indira Gandhi and her stooge Santa Singh Nihang, using cheap labour from Bihar, and government money erected the building. However the Sikh sangat wished to tear it down and rebuild it by Sikh hands, paid for by Sikh money. The SGPC were not giving them permission to do this. The Sikh Students Federation, Damdami Taksal, Babbar Khalsa, Khalistan Liberation Force and other Jathebandi's were all in favour of even giving sacrifices to ensure that Indira Gandhi and Santa Nihang`s building is rejected and Sikh sponsored Kar Seva began.Bhai Sukhdev Singh was also in favour of this and wanted to resolve the issue in the proper manner. The Damdami Taksal and Sikh Student Federation announced they had received letters from the Worldwide Sangat on this matter, and on 26th January 1986 a Sarbat Khalsa was held to start the Kar Seva for a new Sri Akal Takhat Sahib. Masses of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's followers attended the event. The SGPC were stuck, on one side was slapped down by Delhi Government, and on the other side Sikh youth were determined to get their way.Seeing the enthusiasm in the Sikh Sangat for demolishing the Indira Gandhi/Santa Nihang erection, the Head Granthi of Sri Harmandar Sahib arranged a secret meeting between the SGPC and the Damdami Taksal and other Jujarhroo youth at Gurdwara Bir Baba Buddha Sahib. Baba Kharak Singh Kar Seva Wale also attended with Bhai Sukhdev Singh Sakheera and his companions. Both sides gave their viewpoints, and Baba Kharak Singh sided with Bhai Sukhdev Singh. Bhai Sahib's voice was highly influential and the Kar Seva began demolishing the Indian Government erected building with the Resolution passed in the 26th January 1986 Sarbat Khalsa.At that time, there was a Nihang called Kahn Singh Baggi, who had taken over Gurdwara Khadur Sahib. He was associated with the Tarna Dal group of Baba Bishan Singh from Baba Bakala. He treated Sikhs very arrogantly, and many Sikh sangat were very unhappy with his anti-Sikh activities at the historic Gurdwara. As a result, the attendance at the Gurdwara dropped, resulting in less churava (golak money) for him. At a large meeting of Sikhs, Nihang Kahn Singh vehemently and abusively spoke against Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale. Bhai Sukhdev Singh could not tolerate this, and said "your men are gangsters and doing wrong, and you have the nerve to blame Mahapursh Sant Jarnail Singh for you dwindling sangat. You should think before you speak!" However Kahn Singh was influenced by no-one, and said whatever came to his mouth without thinking. Bhai Sahib knew now was not the time, and he could not do anything. However some time later, outside Punjab at Hola Mohalla celebrations, Nihang Kahn Singh was shot dead, by a Singh who escaped shouting "Sant Jarnail Singh Jindabad!" Bhai Sukhdev Singh Sakheera is credited with this action.In May 1986, a meeting happened between Bhai Sukhdev Singh and Baba Amrik Singh at Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Deep Singh, Amritsar. After the meeting, as they left the Gurdwara, two men in Sikhi disguise approached. As one bowed to say "Fateh" to Bhai sahib, the other shot Bhai Sahib at point blank range, then both jumped in a jeep and sped off.The news of Bhai Sahibs Shaheedi spread throughout the Panth like wild-fire. Every Sikh felt that their son Sakheera had passed away before his time. Another talented young Sikh had been lost in the typhoon of the Sikh Movement. When Bapu Joginder Singh, father of Sant Jarnail Singh ji, heard the news, he went silent, and then said "my General Sakheera has left us." Then tears dropped from his eyes. Bapu Joginder Singh had lost 6 sons and grandsons in Operation Bluestar, but never cried. But when Bhai Sukhdev Singh was Shaheed, he cried.Bapu Joginder Singh was doing a series of Amrit Sanchaars smagams, but straight away left with his Singhs for Amritsar. Baba Thakur Singh, head of Damdami Taksal also reached Amritsar after hearing the news. So did Bhai Sahib's father, Bapu Budh Singh and many of his village folk. Plus many Jujharoo Singhs who were underground also attended Amritsar.Bhai Sahib's body was taken to village Sakheera. The village Sarpanch Sardar Karaj Singh, said "Bhai Sukhdev Singh met me a few days ago. He said I will be a Shaheed soon. Take my body for cremation to Gurdwara MaaeDass. Sit in the Gurdwara and enjoy the bliss of Gurbani." Bhai Sahib's cremation happened at Gurdwara MaaeDass. As well as Bapu Joginder Singh, Baba Thakur Singh, thousands of Sikhs attended the cremation in 1986, and shared the loss of a diamond of the Sikh Nation.

Shaheed Bhai Satwant Singh

When we grew up we have often seen pictures of Shaheed Bhai Satwant Singh Agwaan, Shaheed Bhai Beant Singh Malowan and Shaheed Bhai Kehar Singh Mustafabad. These were the Jujharoo Babbar Sher (Freedom Fighting Mighty Lions) who kept the integrity, pride and Khalsa tradition in our History. History dictates that whoever looked at Amritsar, with an evil eye to destroy it, such as Massa Rangar, Ahmad Shah Abdali, General Dyer and Indira Gandhi, they themselves are destroyed.Shaheed Bhai Satwant Singh was born in 1962 in the house of Sardar Tarlok Singh and Sardarni Pyaar Kaur, in the village Agwaan Kurd, district Gurdaspur. Village Agwaan Kurd is only 3km from the India – Pakistan border. Bhai Sahib had 2 elder brothers, Gurnam Singh and Waryam Singh, and a younger brother and sister, Swaran Singh and Ranjit Kaur. Bhai Sahib was educated to a higher secondary level at Dera Baba Nanak School.In 1981, Bhai Satwant Singh moved from Burail jail in Uttar Pradesh to a new posting with the Delhi Armed Police. He was a very handsome young man, and an excellent sharp shooter. As a result he was later posted to the personal protection force of the Prime Minister. From the period of 1981 to 1984, he was the personal bodyguard of Indira Gandhi.In 1983, Sarabjit Kaur, the wife of his elder brother Waryam Singh, asked her Massi (maternal aunt) for the hand in marriage of her daughter, Surinder Kaur, for Satwant Singh. Soon both of them were engaged. Both families had scheduled the wedding in 1984, but due to the fact that Satwant Singh could not get holidays, it was delayed.In June 1984, the Sikh Nation witnessed the power-drunk Brahmin Indira Gandhi send the Indian Army, on the sacred day of the Shaheedi-purb of Sahib Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, to attack Sri Darbar Sahib, Sri Akal Takht Sahib, and 40 more historical Gurdwaras. They used many battalions of Army and tanks, and attacked the thousands of innocent pilgrims who came to pay respects of the Shaheedi of Guru Ji, and many, many Sikh Sangat, Singhs, Singhnian, children and elders became Shaheed. Sri Akal Thakht Sahib was desecrated by tanks. This army action by Indira Gandhi burned in the heart of every Sikh. It was like a great challenge had been placed before the Sikh Nation.The Sikh Nation was extremely angry at the action. As well as the genocide, Sri Harmandar Sahib had been dishonoured, Sri Akal Thakht Sahib had been desecrated. The times of Massa Rangar had returned, and the Sikh Nation required a Bhai Sukha Singh and Bhai Mehtab Singh.Bhai Beant Singh Malowan went to see some of his relatives. His uncle (Phuffer ji) was called Kehar Singh and was very knowledgable of Sikh philosophy. Beant Singh was in a state of shame, mixed with anger and depression. He asked, "Phuffer ji, will Waheguru send a Sukha Singh and Mehtab Singh to avenge this sin of desecration of Sri Darbar Sahib?" While handing him a book on Sant Jarnail Singh Bindranwale, his uncle replied, "do not grieve, if you have love with Sikhi, then learn that giving your head, and taking a head for Sikhi are equal. After all, someone has to be the sons of Sukha Singh and Mehtab Singh. They took Khande de Pahul Amrit from Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh, and then went and took the head of Massa Rangar to stop the desecration of Sri Darbar Sahib and became legends in Sikh History. We need to remember them, and become like them."These words from his uncle were like a spear in his heart. Now Bhai Beant Singh was looking for a companion who would sacrifice all to avenge the action on Sri Darbar Sahib. Eventually Beant Singh's eye fell on Satwant Singh, who was in Indira Gandhi's protection force with him. When he carefully approached Satwant Singh, the young Singh responded "Elder brother, for this sacred task, not only this life, but even if I have to sacrifice several lives, I would to kill a brutal murderer like Indira Gandhi!"First Beant Singh and Satwant Singh wanted to see with their own eyes what Indira Gandhi had done in Punjab, and at Amritsar. The three Singhs shocked at the scene at Sri Akal Thakht Sahib, made their minds up and went to Sri Darbar Sahib and did Ardaas, "Oh Akaal Purkh, give us strength!"After seeing the state of Sri Darbar Sahib, both Satwant Singh and Beant Singh returned to Delhi back to their duty. On 24th October 1984, Beant Singh and Satwant Singh took Amrit at a Gurdwara in Delhi. Neither were particularly knowledgeable on Gurbani, but Operation Blue Star and the legend of Sukha Singh and Mehtab Singh were foremost in their mind. This is what led them to take the blessing of Amrit.Satwant Singh always had the late shift, and Beant Singh always had the early shift. They had to work out a way to both be on duty together. On 31st October, Satwant Singh faked a stomach bug, and swapped duties with another guard. Now they had to decide how to do the task. They decided the best time was when Indira Gandhi was doing her walkabout. On the morning of 31st October, 1984 at 9am as Indira Gandhi walked from her house to her office at Safardajung Road. Bhai Beant Singh shot her 5 times with his service revolver. Bhai Satwant Singh at the same time lifted his Thompson Staingun and shot 28 bullets. Seeing Indira Gandhi fall, all of her PA's and ministers ran for their lives. The Indo-Tibetian Border Police commandos, who also guarded the grounds would not come close. Both Singhs shouted "Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akaal!!".The Singhs shouted, "We have done what we needed to, now you can do what you have to." Then both placed their weapons on the floor. Only then did the other guards come and arrest them. Both Singhs were taken to a room, while they waited for a senior officer to interrogate them. While waiting the commandos started swearing at the Singhs. Not tolerating this, Bhai Satwant Singh slapped the commando, and a struggle ensued, in which Satwant singh grabbed the commandos handgun. The other commandos started shooting at the Singhs. Bhai Beant Singh died there from gunshot wounds. Bhai Satwant Singh was seriously injured.On arrival of a senior officer, Bhai Satwant Singh was taken to hospital. The officers wanted to know who else was part of the conspiracy. They did not know that these Singhs were acting alone because of the attack on Sri Darbar Sahib, Sri Akal Thakht Sahib, and the 40 Gurdwaras, the Sikh genocide of Singhs, Singhnias, children and elders, and the legend of 6th June 1740, when Sukha Singh and Mehtab Singh took revenge on Massa Rangar. The Government had saved Bhai Satwant Singh's life, but intentionally did not remove one bullet which was lodged near his spine continuously causing him great pain. Despite this and other interrogation torture, Satwant Singh always maintained that there was no conspiracy, and the two were acting alone. He said, "This is our Khalsa tradition to avenge those who try to desecrate our holy places. We were happy to take this task. The Sikh Nation will be proud of us."The Government did not accept this, and took two innocent Sikhs, Kehar Singh and Balbir Singh and framed them with the assassination case aswell. They were jailed.

Shaheed Bhai Satwant Singh

When we grew up we have often seen pictures of Shaheed Bhai Satwant Singh Agwaan, Shaheed Bhai Beant Singh Malowan and Shaheed Bhai Kehar Singh Mustafabad. These were the Jujharoo Babbar Sher (Freedom Fighting Mighty Lions) who kept the integrity, pride and Khalsa tradition in our History. History dictates that whoever looked at Amritsar, with an evil eye to destroy it, such as Massa Rangar, Ahmad Shah Abdali, General Dyer and Indira Gandhi, they themselves are destroyed.Shaheed Bhai Satwant Singh was born in 1962 in the house of Sardar Tarlok Singh and Sardarni Pyaar Kaur, in the village Agwaan Kurd, district Gurdaspur. Village Agwaan Kurd is only 3km from the India – Pakistan border. Bhai Sahib had 2 elder brothers, Gurnam Singh and Waryam Singh, and a younger brother and sister, Swaran Singh and Ranjit Kaur. Bhai Sahib was educated to a higher secondary level at Dera Baba Nanak School.In 1981, Bhai Satwant Singh moved from Burail jail in Uttar Pradesh to a new posting with the Delhi Armed Police. He was a very handsome young man, and an excellent sharp shooter. As a result he was later posted to the personal protection force of the Prime Minister. From the period of 1981 to 1984, he was the personal bodyguard of Indira Gandhi.In 1983, Sarabjit Kaur, the wife of his elder brother Waryam Singh, asked her Massi (maternal aunt) for the hand in marriage of her daughter, Surinder Kaur, for Satwant Singh. Soon both of them were engaged. Both families had scheduled the wedding in 1984, but due to the fact that Satwant Singh could not get holidays, it was delayed.In June 1984, the Sikh Nation witnessed the power-drunk Brahmin Indira Gandhi send the Indian Army, on the sacred day of the Shaheedi-purb of Sahib Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, to attack Sri Darbar Sahib, Sri Akal Takht Sahib, and 40 more historical Gurdwaras. They used many battalions of Army and tanks, and attacked the thousands of innocent pilgrims who came to pay respects of the Shaheedi of Guru Ji, and many, many Sikh Sangat, Singhs, Singhnian, children and elders became Shaheed. Sri Akal Thakht Sahib was desecrated by tanks. This army action by Indira Gandhi burned in the heart of every Sikh. It was like a great challenge had been placed before the Sikh Nation.The Sikh Nation was extremely angry at the action. As well as the genocide, Sri Harmandar Sahib had been dishonoured, Sri Akal Thakht Sahib had been desecrated. The times of Massa Rangar had returned, and the Sikh Nation required a Bhai Sukha Singh and Bhai Mehtab Singh.Bhai Beant Singh Malowan went to see some of his relatives. His uncle (Phuffer ji) was called Kehar Singh and was very knowledgable of Sikh philosophy. Beant Singh was in a state of shame, mixed with anger and depression. He asked, "Phuffer ji, will Waheguru send a Sukha Singh and Mehtab Singh to avenge this sin of desecration of Sri Darbar Sahib?" While handing him a book on Sant Jarnail Singh Bindranwale, his uncle replied, "do not grieve, if you have love with Sikhi, then learn that giving your head, and taking a head for Sikhi are equal. After all, someone has to be the sons of Sukha Singh and Mehtab Singh. They took Khande de Pahul Amrit from Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh, and then went and took the head of Massa Rangar to stop the desecration of Sri Darbar Sahib and became legends in Sikh History. We need to remember them, and become like them."These words from his uncle were like a spear in his heart. Now Bhai Beant Singh was looking for a companion who would sacrifice all to avenge the action on Sri Darbar Sahib. Eventually Beant Singh's eye fell on Satwant Singh, who was in Indira Gandhi's protection force with him. When he carefully approached Satwant Singh, the young Singh responded "Elder brother, for this sacred task, not only this life, but even if I have to sacrifice several lives, I would to kill a brutal murderer like Indira Gandhi!"First Beant Singh and Satwant Singh wanted to see with their own eyes what Indira Gandhi had done in Punjab, and at Amritsar. The three Singhs shocked at the scene at Sri Akal Thakht Sahib, made their minds up and went to Sri Darbar Sahib and did Ardaas, "Oh Akaal Purkh, give us strength!"After seeing the state of Sri Darbar Sahib, both Satwant Singh and Beant Singh returned to Delhi back to their duty. On 24th October 1984, Beant Singh and Satwant Singh took Amrit at a Gurdwara in Delhi. Neither were particularly knowledgeable on Gurbani, but Operation Blue Star and the legend of Sukha Singh and Mehtab Singh were foremost in their mind. This is what led them to take the blessing of Amrit.Satwant Singh always had the late shift, and Beant Singh always had the early shift. They had to work out a way to both be on duty together. On 31st October, Satwant Singh faked a stomach bug, and swapped duties with another guard. Now they had to decide how to do the task. They decided the best time was when Indira Gandhi was doing her walkabout. On the morning of 31st October, 1984 at 9am as Indira Gandhi walked from her house to her office at Safardajung Road. Bhai Beant Singh shot her 5 times with his service revolver. Bhai Satwant Singh at the same time lifted his Thompson Staingun and shot 28 bullets. Seeing Indira Gandhi fall, all of her PA's and ministers ran for their lives. The Indo-Tibetian Border Police commandos, who also guarded the grounds would not come close. Both Singhs shouted "Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akaal!!".The Singhs shouted, "We have done what we needed to, now you can do what you have to." Then both placed their weapons on the floor. Only then did the other guards come and arrest them. Both Singhs were taken to a room, while they waited for a senior officer to interrogate them. While waiting the commandos started swearing at the Singhs. Not tolerating this, Bhai Satwant Singh slapped the commando, and a struggle ensued, in which Satwant singh grabbed the commandos handgun. The other commandos started shooting at the Singhs. Bhai Beant Singh died there from gunshot wounds. Bhai Satwant Singh was seriously injured.On arrival of a senior officer, Bhai Satwant Singh was taken to hospital. The officers wanted to know who else was part of the conspiracy. They did not know that these Singhs were acting alone because of the attack on Sri Darbar Sahib, Sri Akal Thakht Sahib, and the 40 Gurdwaras, the Sikh genocide of Singhs, Singhnias, children and elders, and the legend of 6th June 1740, when Sukha Singh and Mehtab Singh took revenge on Massa Rangar. The Government had saved Bhai Satwant Singh's life, but intentionally did not remove one bullet which was lodged near his spine continuously causing him great pain. Despite this and other interrogation torture, Satwant Singh always maintained that there was no conspiracy, and the two were acting alone. He said, "This is our Khalsa tradition to avenge those who try to desecrate our holy places. We were happy to take this task. The Sikh Nation will be proud of us."The Government did not accept this, and took two innocent Sikhs, Kehar Singh and Balbir Singh and framed them with the assassination case aswell. They were jailed.

Shaheed Bhai Raminderjeet Singh 'Tainee' Babbar & Bibi Manjeet Kaur

Of those thousands of warriors that were martyred in the struggle for the Sikh Nation’s freedom there was a Saint Soldier who was very firm in bani and bana by the name of Babbar Raminderjeet Singh Tainee.Bhai Sahib was born in the year of 1965 to mata Sharanjeet Kaur and Amrik Singh in the city of Jalandhar. After receiving his elementary education Bhai Sahib went on to higher studies at Ramgharia College and Sukhchain-Anah College in Phagwara. Since college, Bhai Raminderjeet Singh followed the ideology of the freedom fighters. During this time, Bhai Sahib came to have great love for Sikh freedom fighters such as Shaheed Bhai Paramjeet Singh ‘Gandasa’ (prime accused in the incident against Shiv Sena President Rama Kant Jalota).In the 1984 after Operation Blue Star Raminderjeet Singh was arrested by the police and sent to Jalandhar Jail where the Punjab Police severely tortured him and several false cases were put on him. After putting many more cases on Bhai Sahib, the Police sent him to Nabha Security Jail where he was locked up for 2 years. On being released from jail, Bhai Sahib went home but was unable to stay there as he would keep thinking about the chardi kala of the Khalsa Panth to which his soul was attached.In the city of Jalandhar, the year 1987, Bhai Sahib killed a ‘Police Cat’ (Government sponsored informants/paramilitaries who were responsible for the death of many innocents and freedom fighters). Upon completing this task, Raminderjeet Singh began bringing to justice those enemies of the Sikh Nation who were hell bent on finishing off the Sikhs. By this time, Bhai Sahib had met many famous personalities in the Sikh freedom movement such as Bhai Avtar Singh Babbar Pehlvaan, Bhai Manjeet Singh Babbar and many other eminent freedom fighters of the Babbar Khalsa organization.After some time the Jalandhar Police with a tip from a police informant arrested Bhai Sahib again. Once again, the Punjab Police showed their true character by ruthlessly torturing Bhai Sahib Ji, but he took all the police torture on his body with a calm and peaceful mind. Subsequently many cases were put on against Bhai Raminderjeet Singh Ji and he was locked up in Nabha Jail. It is here that he met Bhai Harmeet Singh Babbar Paouval, Bhai Charanjeet Singh Channi Babbar and other freedom fighters. Bhai Raminderjeet Singh Babbar and Bhai Harmeet Singh Babbar became very close to one another, their respect for one another was even greater than that of brothers, which also lasted until their last breaths.In 1989, after spending quite some time in jail, Bhai Sahib came home but spent very little time there. He left home and never looked back as doing seva for the Khalsa Panth was his main motive. During the month of July, in the year 1990, Bhai Sahib’s father was attacked by a group of ‘police cats’, during this attack his father was gravely wounded. Accepting this challenge by the Indian security forces Raminderjeet Singh Babbar went after these ‘black cats’ who were operating under the name of ‘Indian Lions’. One by one, the true lion - Raminderjeet Singh Babbar, finished off all of these phony lions.Seeing the immense seva that Bhai Sahib was doing for the Khalsa Panth, the head sevadaar of Babbar Khalsa International, Jathedar Sukhdev Singh Ji Babbar appointed Raminderjeet Singh Babbar as the chief sevadaar of the Jalandhar area. Some time later Bhai Sahib Ji made the Ropar area the center of his Panthic actions. Raminderjeet Singh Babbar along with Bhai Harmeet Singh Paouval Babbar, Bhai Balvinder Singh Babbar Jatana, Bhai Charanjeet Singh Babbar, and many other freedom fighters from the Babbar Khalsa organization began eliminating the enemies of the Khalsa Panth in the Malwa region and outside of Punjab.On the evening of February 28, 1991, Bhai Nirmal Singh Babbar Gegaymajra, Bhai Harpal Singh Babbar and Bhai Raminderjeet Singh Tainee were traveling in a Maruti van near Chandigarh when the Punjab Police due to a tip off from a police informant surrounded them. Bhai Nirmal Singh Babbar became a martyr at that moment when he swallowed a cyanide capsule but the Chandigarh Police took Ramniderjeet Singh and Harpal Singh into their custody. While locked up, Bhai Sahib was ruthlessly tortured by the S.S.P. Sumedh Saini and other heartless officers under his command. Sumedh Saini heated up iron rods until they were glowing red and used them to burn Raminderjeet Singh Babbar. Bhai Sahib had burns all over his body. Even with such a ruthless method of torture being carried out on Bhai Sahib, the police interrogators were not even able to get his real name from him.After hearing of Bhai Sahib’s arrest, the freedom fighters that were close to him kidnapped the relatives of Ludhiana’s Chief Minister Boota Sioh. This forced the police to publicly admit that they had arrested Bhai Raminderjeet Singh as otherwise the police would have killed Bhai Sahib in a false encounter. When the police admitted Bhai Sahib’s arrest, the freedom fighters released the relatives of the Chief Minister. Police Chiefs from both Jalandhar and Ludhiana came to Chandigarh so that they could torture Bhai Sahib and get some information out of him. The S.S.P. of Jalandhar devised a scheme to kill Raminderjeet Singh. He wanted to take Bhai Sahib to Jalandhar and kill him in a false encounter along the way. The Jalandhar S.S.P. wanted to carry out this plan as Raminderjeet Singh Babbar had eliminated an entire group of his ‘police cats’. Fortunately, the S.S.P. was unable to get permission from the Chandigarh Police to transfer Bhai Sahib to Jalandhar so he was unable to carry out his evil plans. Seeing all these schemes to get him eliminated, Bhai Sahib began making a scheme of his own, which was to escape from jail.On February 25, 1992, Bhai Sahib was being transported by the police to the P.G.I. for a medical checkup. Carrying out the action that was preplanned by Bhai Sahib and his fellow freedom fighters of Babbar Khalsa, the freedom fighters attacked the police group escorting Raminderjeet Singh Babbar and freed him. During this daring escape a police Sub Inspector was killed and several police officers were wounded.Upon being freed from jail, Bhai Sahib once again began fighting for the freedom of the Sikh Nation. The Punjab government was now offering a reward of 15 lakh for information leading to the arrest or death of Raminderjeet Singh Babbar.Subsequently, Bhai Sahib was married to Bibi Manjeet Kaur of Gango Radhram village. Bibi Manjeet Kaur was a true Gursikh bibi and had a very firm belief in Gurbani. Bhai Harmeet Singh Paouval Babbar performed the Anand Karaj of Bhai Raminderjeet Singh Babbar and Bibi Manjit Kaur. Even after marriage, there was no change or slow down in Bhai Sahib’s actions and determination to gain freedom for the Khalsa Panth. Bibi Manjeet Kaur began playing an equal part in the liberation movement for the Khalsa Panth, she along with her husband took part in many actions carried out by the Babbar Khalsa freedom fighters.In the Khalsa Panth, many great warriors have taken birth but unfortunately many traitors have as well. On March 5, 1993, such a traitor informed the police of the whereabouts of Bhai Raminderjeet Singh Babbar. Bhai Sahib and his Singhni were traveling by bus to Anandpur Sahib when near Khanna, the bus was stopped. The S.S.P. of Khanna had stopped and surrounded the bus with a large police force that Bhai Sahib and his wife Bibi Manjeet Kaur were traveling on. An ASI officer got on the bus and then grabed Bhai Tainee by the wrist. At this, Bibi Manjit Kaur took her pistol out of her purse and pumped three bullets into the ASI’s head. The police asked Bhai Sahib to step out of the bus, but Bhai Sahib had made up his mind to take on the police force and asked the passengers to get off the bus.After the passengers had gotten off the bus, Babbar Raminderjeet Singh began the battle with the police force as he opened fire on them with his AK-47 assault rifle. In complete support of her husband, Bibi Manjeet Kaur also entered the battle and began firing on the police force. During this battle Raminderjeet Singh Babbar and his Singhnee Bibi Manjeet Kaur showed unparalleled bravery, together they showed the police and onlookers how an actual encounter takes place between the oppressive government and the brave Khalsa of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. On taking heavy losses, the police began firing very heavily on the bus from which the brave lion and lioness were fighting. Even though they were outnumbered and taking heavy gunfire from the police, Bhai Sahib and Bibi Ji stayed steadfast in the battle. Eventually, faced with such an overwhelming force, their guns fell silent. This brave Babbar along with his Singhnee have gone to Guru Sahib’s Charan and left us. Since Bhai Sahib’s younger brother and father were locked up in jail, his mother alone performed her son’s and daughter in-law’s ‘antim sanskar’ in the presence of the Khanna Police. The Khalsa Panth will forever have the greatest respect for such martyrs.

Shaheed Bhai Ravinder Singh Babbar

It is not easy to be a Shaheed. An abhyaasi Gursikh once told me that a Shaheed does find a place in Sach Khand but only if his last moments are free from ego and he has died not for glory or out of stubbornness but for the sake of the Panth. In the final moments of the Shaheed's life, if his consciousness is absorbed in naam, Guru Sahib does kirpa and jyot vigaas occurs at that moment.The example of Bhai Ravinder Singh Babbar's life is that of a Gursikh life and glorious martyrdom.Shaheed Bhai Ravinder Singh was born in village Shatrana, Amritsar. His parents were Giani Harbhajan Singh and Mata Gurnam Kaur. He was the youngest of six brothers. From birth, Bhai Sahib was raised in a Gursikh environment. His father, Giani Harbhajan Singh Ji was a close companion of Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh Ji. Bhai Ravinder Singh was given Amrit at a very early age and also kept bibek as a child.Bhai Ravinder Singh was not an ordinary child. He from an early age had dedication and love for Gursikhi and his family recalls that his bravery and courage were unparalleled.Once when he was just four or five years old, Bhai Ravinder Singh fell off a wall and broke his arm in two places. His father, Giani Harbhajan Singh said to him as he was being taken to have his arm set, "Puraatan Singhs would be cut apart, piece by piece but they would not even make a sound. You too should be brave like them." The two reached the home of the person who set broken bones and showed him the arm. He said that because the bone was broken in two places, he would need to twist the bone back into place. Giani Ji had bought some grapes for little Ravinder Singh and told him that while his arm was being set, he could eat them. As the man twisted the boy's arm, Ravinder Singh calmly ate the grapes and did not make a sound.After the arm was set, Giani Ji asked how much he should pay. The man replied, "I will take no payment from you. I feel like I should give this boy a reward from my own pocket. I have seen big burly men scream in pain while I am setting a bone that is this badly broken. I used to wonder about the stories of Singhs in old times not crying out in pain, but if Sikh children can be like this now, what were those Singhs like?"Puraatan Singhs like Bhai Atma Singh Panjokhra, Dr. Surinder Singh Ji and Baba Surain Singh Ji used to regularly come to Giani Ji's home and Bhai Ravinder Singh had the opportunity to do their Sangat. Bhai Atma Singh used to call the little boy "Jathedar."Dr. Surinder Singh Ji was quite close with Giani Ji. On one occasion in 1978, he told Giani Ji that in the future, Darbar Sahib would be attacked and the parkarma would be bathed with blood. He also encouraged Giani Ji to move away from Shatrana and go somewhere else. So in 1979, Giani Ji took his family to Panjokhra Sahib in Haryana. Giani Ji's younger brother also moved with them. (Later, Shatrana village would be very hard hit by the Indian Security forces and many of the young boys were tortured and killed. The picture of Bhai Avtar Singh Shatrana's body (below) is one of the main exhibits of Punjab Police torture techniques and is very commonly displayed.When Bhai Ravinder Singh started school at Panjokhra Sahib, the local boys considered him and his cousins outsiders and were unfriendly. One day, a boy came to him at school and said, "Do you know what happened today? Someone slapped your cousin! He got slapped like THIS!!" and with this, he slapped Ravinder Singh across the face. Bhai Ravinder Singh pounced on the boy and began to beat him. The other local boys joined in the fight and thought there was strength in numbers. Bhai Ravinder Singh broke a branch off a nearby tree and chased the group of boys away. The Physical Education teacher was watching all this and called the young boy and patted him on the back and said he should be proud. He then called all the boys who had attacked Ravinder Singh together and punished them. He also asked them, "how is it possible that one boy chased all of you away??" After this day, everyone began to call Bhai Ravinder Singh "Jathedar", just as Bhai Atma Singh had been doing from a very early age.Once, Bhai Ravinder Singh was on his tractor at night, coming from his fields when he saw someone run towards him with a sword. Ravinder Singh was still a young boy and it would have been natural for him to be afraid and run away, but he took a crow bar from the tractor and began to run towards the man with sword. When he came near, the man yelled, "No! Don't hit me! It's me!!" It was a drunk who said that his enemies were after him and he carried the sword to protect himself and he had mistaken Ravinder for one of them. Ravinder Singh came home and everyone was amazed at the young boy's daring.Bhai Ravinder Singh studied until the tenth grade and completed it in 1987. He then worked on the family farm for a year. The Sikh Liberation Movement was growing in these days and Bhai Ravinder Singh was interested in joining. He asked his father whether he should join. Giani Ji told him that the path he was interested in was very difficult. "This is not something easy. If you are captured and falter, not only will you commit the sin of turning in others and having them killed, but you will also disgrace your family and the entire Sikh community."After this, Bhai Ravinder Singh began to keep to himself more. He increased his nitnem and naam abhyaas. Before becoming a 'Sipahi', he would first become a 'Sant'. He wanted to reach a stage where he would be confident that he could face torture and be able to withstand it. He wanted to be spiritually prepared for the battle ahead. Slowly, he made links with Singhs from Babbar Khalsa. The family home was raided in 1988 by the police and the next day, Bhai Sahib left home, never to return. His beard had still not grown in and the picture above is the final picture Bhai Sahib's family had taken.Bhai Ravinder Singh made frequent trips to training camps in Pakistan and became a trusted member of the Jathebandi. Although he was young, everyone respected him and knew that his decisions were always firmly based on Gurmat. There was once a group meeting in which many senior Singhs were in attendance. Bhai Sahib was also present. The issue being discussed was how to fund the movement. Some suggested robbing banks and other means. Ravinder Singh rose after all had had their say and asked, "May I speak?" Although permission was granted, because he was the youngest person at the meeting, some Singhs did not think a youngster like him would have anything worthwhile to say. Bhai Ravinder Singh said, "We are all fugitives here, and our properties are useless to us. Why don't we sell those first, to make money?" Everyone at the meeting was amazed at how Gurmat oriented and wise his suggestion was.In 1989, Bhai Ravinder Singh met one of his brothers. He was in chardi kala. His elder brother encouraged him to do as much naam abhyaas as possible. Bhai Sahib confided that with Guru Sahib's kirpa, now whenever he woke up in the middle of the night, he noticed that he was either reciting bani or his naam khanda was going automatically. Bhai Ravinder Singh asked his brother to take him into town on the back of his bike. His brother recalls that although there were security forces all around, Bhai Sahib kept smiling and showed no sign of fear.After some time, Bhai Ravinder Singh rose to the high command of Babbar Khalsa. He was still very young and one well known area commander complained that it didn't make sense that such a young man could be his senior. After some time however, that Singh too recognized Bhai Sahib's qualities and began to respect him.Babbar Khalsa was organized in a manner by which the High Command was isolated and separated from the workers. So an area worker would not be familiar with the senior Singhs in the Jathebandi. This was the most wise arrangement in order to maintain secrecy and security. Bhai Ravinder Singh was given the duty of being an intermediatary between the High Command and local workers. He was thus in the sensitive position of knowing both levels. He supplied and distributed arms to the Singhs.Once, Bhai Sahib and a companion were taking arms to their companions. They performed and ardaas for the success of their mission and left. They had packed the guns and ammunition in a bundle of sugarcane and placed it on the back of their motorcycle. On the way, they saw that at a distance there was a major Police checkpoint (naka). The Singh accompanying Bhai Sahib suggested they turn around. Ravinder Singh replied that they had done ardaas and they should now have faith. The police motioned for the motorcycle to slow down. Bhai Ravinder Singh slowed the motorcycle's speed, making it seem as though he was pulling over but all of a sudden he pressed the gas and drove through. The police opened fire and began to chase, but the Singhs entered the village streets and threw the police off their trail. Bhai Sahib had full faith that Guru Sahib would himself help them in their cause.On another occasion, Bhai Sahib and a companion were staying at a home in the Patiala area. It was Amrit vela and Bhai Sahib said that they should go to Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib for Darshan and listen to keertan. Bhai Sahib's companion said that it was dangerous to go out and that they could listen to keertan on the radio. Ravinder Singh replied that it was better to go to Guru Sahib's hazoori. As the two left, they saw that the village was going to be surrounded and searched by the security forces. The Singhs reached Dukh Nivaran Sahib and after paying obeisance, Bhai Ravinder Singh said he would right away return. The Singh with him asked, "first you were so eager to come, now why are you going back? You yourself saw that the village was being surrounded." Bhai Sahib replied that if the police had come for them after being tipped off, and they were not there, the family they were staying with would be harassed, and so it was better to go back. Bhai Sahib returned and since the security forces were monitoring just those leaving the village, they did not take any notice of those entering. Bhai Sahib returned to the house. The search operation never reached the house he was staying at as it was one of the last and it was decided that it was not worth searching.Those families Bhai Ravinder Singh stayed with all say that he did not come and stay as a guest or issue orders, he became like a member of the family and even helped around the house. For a period of two months, Bhai Sahib was told to stay in Gurdaspur amongst the relatives of a Singh in the Babbar high command. The families were not Gursikhs and the men were drunks and gamblers. It was because of this that the families would not be suspected and could hide Bhai Ravinder Singh. It seemed like a difficult task for a Gursikh to stay in such an environment, but Bhai Sahib did not complain. He continued with his naam and bani and his humble personality drew everyone close to him. Bhai Ravinder Singh left such an impression on those that after he left, they arrived at the next Amrit Sanchaar on the back of tractor trolleys and all went to receive the gift of Amrit. The Singh in high command laughed that he had not been able to influence his relatives all his life and Bhai Ravinder Singh had transformed them in just two months.Bhai Sahib had access to the money of the Jathebandi and distributed it to families who needed help. Ravinder Singh was visiting one of his relatives once, when the relative commented that his family's financial situation was quite stressed and that Singhs came to his home to eat and it would be nice if he too could receive some money. Bhai Sahib asked, "do you have flour?" The relative replied, "yes, of course" Bhai Sahib then said, "When Singhs come, make parshadas and serve them with salt. I can't give you this money. It is dasvandh of other Singhs and eating it is poison. How can I give my own family poison?" Even though that Singh's need was genuine, Bhai Ravinder Singh did not want anyone to think that he was giving the Jathebandi's money to his own relatives for profit.While in the freedom movement, Bhai Sahib found it almost impossible to keep bibek. He began to eat at vegetarian restaurants. Once while eating, he found a bone in his food. Despite all risks, he appeared at the next Amrit Sanchaar for a peshee. He told the Punj Pyaaray what had happened but they replied that they would not give him Amrit again as he might repeat this mistake in the future. Since he could not keep bibek living such a lifestyle, what was the point of getting peshed they asked? Bhai Sahib became very emotional and one of the Singhs doing seva tells that he replied, "Death can come at any moment on the path I am walking. I don't want to die without being forgiven. I cannot risk dying as a patit. Please forgive my mistake and I pledge that from now on, despite the difficulties, I will only eat food prepared by Amritdharis." The Punj Pyaaray were moved and gave him Amrit once again. After this, Bhai Sahib was very strict and he would go hungry for days but only eat food prepared by Amritdharis.In Bhai Sahib's final letter to his brothers, around 1991, he wrote that although he had joined the Sikh Movement for the liberation of the Panth, it was not as he had expected. He wrote that the Movement was not following Tat Gurmat and many leaders were breaking rehit. He advised his brothers that they should not follow in his footsteps unless their father gave them permission first. He continued that he was too far in to return and he was determined to be a Shaheed. He had the opportunity to escape, but he would not.Bhai Sahib's family did not hear from him for quite some time. After some months, they sent word to the Babbar High Command to ask what had happened to their son. The reply they received was that while crossing the border with Bhai Gurdeep Singh Vakeel and a member of the Panthic Committee they had been sighted and in an encounter the two Singhs had been martyred but there was no word on Bhai Ravinder Singh. They said that they were quite sure that he too had died since there had been no word for some time now and if he had been caught, the organization would have faced at least some losses.Bhai Sahib was familiar with both High Command and the workers and since neither had suffered any losses, it was likely that he had not fallen into the Security Forces' hands and had died in an encounter. They said that if he had been caught, being of such a young age, it was likely that he would have given some information since no one can bear the torture they inflict.The High Command Singhs said that Bhai Ravinder Singh was like a flower who blossomed only for a few days and though he had a short life, gave a fragrance that would never be forgotten. But, they said, he also had his faults. His family asked what faults those were, the Singhs replied, "First, we had told him that his picture had been given to the police and they could now identify him and that he should tie his beard to conceal his identity. He flatly refused to do this. Second, we asked him to carry a cyanide capsule in case he was captured but he also refused to do this. Finally, when crossing the border, he would never wait for our 'all-clear'. He used to say that life and death are in Guru Sahib's hands and when it was time for him to die, nothing could save him." Bhai Sahib's family remarked that these might be weakness for the High Command, but they were Gurmukh qualities for them.Months passed and a friend of the family who lived far away asked Giani Ji if he had heard from his son. Giani Ji remarked that the Babbars had told him that Ravinder Singh was likely Shaheed. The friend said that this was impossible since just a few weeks earlier, he had seen Ravinder Singh in police custody, being taken in a Gypsy (jeep). He said that he noticed a Singh with his face covered being taken in a vehicle and those with him were in plain clothes. The friend was also on the road and the Singh put his hands together and gave him a Fateh. He did not recognize this person at first, but caught up to the Gypsy again and motioned for the Singh to uncover his face. The Singh managed to do so and he recognized that it was Bhai Ravinder Singh. The Gypsy then sped up so it could not be followed and so the two could not see or speak to each other any further.It is now known that Bhai Ravinder Singh was wounded in the encounter at the border. He had gone to Delhi to seek treatment. Someone informed the police about his whereabouts and he was surrounded. Bhai Sahib had a pistol but when he tried to fire, it jammed. He was arrested. Bhai Sahib was severely tortured for days but did not reveal anything. If he had spoken, both the High Command and local workers would have been eliminated. After some time, the police decided to try a new tactic. They isolated him in a cell and did not bother him any further. Bhai Sahib lived like this for some time but then thought that it was not right for a Singh to live in such a manner. Either he should escape or become Shaheed while trying. He grabbed a prison guard's gun and attempted to escape but was captured once again. This time, Bhai Sahib was again tortured savagely and his soul left his body for its eternal place in SachKhand.Bhai Ravinder Singh Babbar (Bagga) had a very short life but the fragrance and light his life left behind will continue to inspire Gursikhs forever. He was a Shaheed in the truest sense of that word.

Shaheed Bhai Mengha Singh Babbar

"True Lord, may my body be a sacrifice unto your feet, Guru, father, may I not show my back in the field of battle, and may I be martyred battling the enemies of the faith. Guru, Father, have mercy on me, may the enemy's bullets not hit my back, may I take them upon my chest. Satguru, do not think of my faults, please let me embrace your feet." This was Bhai Sahib's daily prayer before the Guru.When the time comes for a Sikh to give his head for the Guru, he is overcome with eagerness. He considers it his great fortune to give his head for the Sikh faith. When it comes time to sacrifice for the faith, the Sikh doesn't seek any examples, or justifications, or bribes. No force or fear can turn him away from his goal. Living his life according the Guru's bestowed faith, he fights the enemy and gives his head for the pure faith and truth and is then called a Martyr. Such a warrior always wants that his head should be sacrificed for the cause of the Guru.On June 1st 1984, the thankless Hindu government directed it's evil eye towards the Sikh places of worship and Sackhkhand Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar. During this attack, Bhai Kulvant Singh Babbar aka. Bhai Mehnga Singh of the organisation Babbar Khalsa had the honour of being the first martyr to die fighting those who would defile the sanctity of Sri Darbar Saahib. Just as Bhai Kulvant Singh aka. Bhai Mengha Singh had the honour of being the first martyr in the Darbar Saahib attack, similarly, Bhai Kulvant Singh Babbar/Nagokay had the honour of being the first martyr of the Dharam Yudh Morcha. On June 9th, 1982, Bhai Nagokay had every one of his limbs broken and after enduring countless tortures, achieved martyrdom and by doing so, gave the shattered Panth unity to fight together. During this time Bhai Amarjeet Singh Daheru gave his martyrdom and increased the Panth's fervour to battle.Shaheed Bhai Kulwant Singh Babbar a.k.a. Bhai Mengha Singh was born in Yumnanagar Jagadhri in 1957 in the house of Sardar Partap Singh located in Vishkarma Nagar. He completed his early education in Yamunanagar. After passing the ninth grade, he entered the ITI and took a year long course in welding and then began to work.When, during the Vaisakhi of 1978, unarmed Singh's went to protest the insult of Guru Sahib being done by the fake Nirankaris, the unarmed Singh's were fired upon and 13 were martyred while countless others were injured.The spilt blood of the martyrs had a deep effect on Bhai Kulwant Singh and as a result, he began attending kirtan samagams and would long for the blessing of Amrit day and night. By the grace of the Guru during the 1979 AKJ Holla Mohalla Samagam at Anandpur Sahib, he presented himself before the Punj Pyaaray and was blessed with Amrit. Bhai Sahib would read books on Sikh history and would try to mould his life to match those of old Singhs. He would always be consulting with other Singhs on the issue of punishing those who had killed Singhs. When the fake Nirankaris held a meeting in Jagadhri, Bhai Sahib and his companions attacked with fervor and caused the Nirankaris to run away in chaos.The police lodged a murder case on these Singhs and Bhai Sahib's companions fought the case with vigor. Bhai Sahib on the other hand refused to fight the case because in his words, "we don't believe in this false government, so why should we go to courts of a government we have no faith in?" Bhai Sahib was acquitted along with the Singh's who chose to attend court proceedings.With a desire to serve the panth and punish the persecutors of the Singhs, Bhai Kulwant Singh left his home and came to Bibi Amarjeet Kaur, wife of Shaheed Bhai Fauja Singh, in Amritsar.In September 1979, the Singhs held a camp in which the Singhs, in addition to learning gurmat, also learned weaponry. Bhai Sahib took part in this camp with a desire to learn the use of weapons. During this camp, Bhai Sahib met Bhai Sukhdev Singh, Bhai Kulwant Singh Nagokay, Bhai Sulakhan Singh, Bhai Balvinder Singh, Bhai Vadhava Singh, Bhai Anokh Singh, Bhai Manmohan Singh and many other Singhs. The Singhs who taught the use of weapons loved Bhai Sahib, and they began to stay together in the form of a Jathebandi. All the Singhs had the goal of finding and punishing the killers of Singhs and those who would insult Guru Sahib. The government had no idea who conducted these actions.The government began to hunt the Singhs and as a result, the Singhs went underground. Only a few days had passed in hiding when this beloved of the Guru, Bhai Kulwant Singh, left to bathe in Sri Ramdas Sarovar and have darshan of Guru Sahib. He exclaimed "if the olden Singhs could cut through the cordon of their enemies, to have ishnaan and darshan at Darbar Sahib, so can I." Even during this time in hiding Bhai Sahib would rise at Amrit vela, bathe in the sarovar and then attend Aasaa Dee Vaar kirtan at Darbar Sahib. After this, he would attend to the seva of the Singhs langar and also The Jora Ghar in addition to arranging weapons for the Jathebandi.On June 1st 1984 at around 12pm, the CRPF and the BSF, in a government-sponsored scheme to eliminate the Sikhs, opened a rain of fire upon the Singhs at Sri Darbar Sahib, Darshani Deeorhi, Langar Building and Sri Akal Takhat Sahib. Bhai Sahib was at Baba Atal Sahib and took up a position there, killing three attacking soldiers. This warrior's confidence increased and he went up to the top most floor of Baba Atal. A sniper fired at Bhai Sahib and the bullet hit him in the forehead. Bhai Sahib fell to the ground, but when a nearby Singh asked "Mengha Singh!!! How are you??" he replied "Chardi Kala!!!" The Singh's were informed that Bhai Sahib had been hit and Bhai Manmohan Singh and others were sent to retrieve him. The Singh's with great effort in the rain of bullets brought Bhai Mengha Singh down from the top most floor of Baba Atal and carried him to Guru Nanak Nivas. There were no medical facilities or doctors, but the Singh's cleaned the wound and dressed it. Around this warrior Gurbani began to be recited and only after the completion of Sukhmani Sahib did he go and take his place at the feet of the Guru. On one hand, the Singhs were fighting the enemy and on the other, some Singhs were taking care of the Shaheed's body. Jathedar Sukhdev Singh Babbar asked the Gurbani continue to be recited.All the Jathebandis in the complex, upon hearing the news of the Shaheedi did a final ardas for Bhai Mengha Singh, and upon seeing the Shaheed for the final time, heaped praise upon his bravery. Whoever meditates upon the Guru with a pure heart, for certain, gets the reward. May we be a sacrifice unto this first Shaheed, this blessed soul. This was the first Shaheed who's body was cremated in the Darbar Sahib complex, despite the protestations of the SGPC president. Bhai Sahib was cremated close to Sri Manji Sahib.

Shaheed Bhai Manbeer Singh Chaheru

Shaheed Bhai Manbeer Singh Chaheru aka Iqbal Singh aka Hari Singh was born in 1959 at village Chaheru of Kapurthala District in Panjab. His father Sardar Mohinder Singh was a well to do farmer and had lived in the village for generations. Manbeer Singh completed his primary education at his village school and at Kala Bakra, village of his maternal aunt; he completed the 10th grade and then started to assist his father in farming along with his two brothers and continued to do so for next six years.During these six years Manbeer Singh continuously use to visit his maternal aunt, Niranjan Kaur, at Kala Bakra village and that is where he came in contact Giani Joginder Singh of Chak Raju Singh village who was a retired army officer and son-in-law of Niranjan Kaur. Giani Joginder Singh encouraged Manbeer Singh to take up the baptism, Amrit, and become a True Sikh of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Manbeer Singh was 19 years of age when the Nirankari Saka took place in which 13 Sikh's were shot and killed on April 13th, 1978. This incident left a deep mark on Manbeer Singh's thoughts; he was later married with Bibi Ranjit Kaur. In 1979 at Sodal Gurdwara in Jalandhar, Manbeer Singh along with his wife and his father's younger brother, Karnail Singh, took Amrit from Baba Nihal Singh Harian wela wale.After baptism Manbeer Singh started to attend religious classes being provided by Damdami Taksal at Gurdwara Gurdarshan Parkash, Mehta Chownk and that is where he met Bhai Mohkam Singh, Bhai Gurbant Singh, Bhai Prem Singh and Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale.In 1981 a police car followed his motorcycle as he left the grain market towards his home. The police car caught up to him, pulled him over and then the SSP of Jalandhar, GurIqbal Singh Bhular questioned Manbeer Singh on his actions and where he was going. After a heated argument Manbeer Singh was arrested but was released on bail by his uncle Karnail Singh who said that Manbeer Singh will show up at Police station tomorrow. After this incident Manbeer Singh left for Sri Harmandar Sahib and met with Sant Bhindranwale, Manbeer Singh told Sant Ji about the Police incident Sant Ji then told Manbeer Singh to stay with them were he would have a duty to serve in the Langar, after some time Manbeer Singh became Sant Ji's bodyguard. Meanwhile, the Police arrested his uncle Karnail Singh for not bringing Manbeer Singh to police station as promised.Manbeer Singh started staying in room 53 of Guru Nanak Niwas along with Giani Joginder Singh, Bhai Sant Singh, Bhai Malagar Singh and Bhai Gurtej Singh. He also came in contact with Bhai Sukhdev Singh Sukha (Gen. Labh Singh) of village Fatu Dinga, Major Singh Nagoke, Balwinder Singh Khojkipur, Joginder Singh Rode, and Kabal Singh.During the Sikh Holocaust referred to as Operation Bluestar in 1984, Bhai Manbeer Singh was not at Sri Harmandar Sahib. In 1984 he visited the Damdami Taksal headquaters located at Gurdwara Gurdarshan Parkash and met Bhai Bachan Singh, Sant Singh, Balbir Singh, Dalbir Singh and Bhai Mohkam Singh. Here he was told that Sant Ji is alive and so decided to leave for Pakistan.During this time Manbeer Singh came in contact with many other youth workers, including Bhai Harjinder Singh Jinda, like him who was hurt by the Indian Government for attacking Sri Harmandar Sahib. In 1986 Manbeer Singh and Bhai Balbir Singh Raipur planned to release General Labh Singh and Sawarnjit Singh from Police custody. Balbir Singh arranged a car and Bhai Jarnail Singh arranged a jeep as a get away vehicle. They planned to execute their plan to free both Singh's from police custody on the day when Sukhdev Singh and Sawarnjit Singh were brought to court for their monthly hearings. Manbeer Singh, Ajitpal Singh, Balbir Singh Raipur, Rashpal Singh, Jarnail Singh met outside the courts. Manbeer Singh was carrying a stein gun and all other Singh's had revolvers. When Sukhdev Singh and Sawarnjit Singh arrived under heavy police protection, Manbeer Singh signalled them to go to the washrooms and once they went Manbeer Singh and his partners opened fire on the policemen, six policemen died on the spot. They were able to free General Labh Singh, Sawarnjit Singh and Gurinder Singh Bhola.During this time Manbeer Singh also came in contact with a retired army officer, Major Baldev Singh Ghuman, at Sri Harmandar Sahib and Mehta Chowk. Major Baldev Singh Ghuman was saddened by the Operation Bluestar Massacre and wanted to do something to improve the Sikh turmoil in Panjab. Manbeer Singh and Baldev Singh Ghuman became good friends and they both respected and trusted each other. During 1986 Baldev Singh Ghuman became the middle man and united the AISSF (Ropar Group) and Khalistan Commando Force (KCF - Chaheru's group). But Sarabjit Singh Ropar, president of AISSF, who was son of a DSP, became a Police informer and called a meeting at Baldev Singh's house were Manbeer Singh was also invited and on August 8 1986, Manbeer Singh was arrested by Police at the residence of Major Baldev Singh Ghuman in Jalandhar. The Police also arrested Major Baldev Singh Ghuman, and Charanjit Singh. The raid was conducted by DSP Sawarn Singh "Ghotna", a well renowned 'butcher' police officer. After Manbeer Singh's arrest General Labh Singh took over the command of the KCF. Manbeer Singh Chaheru was kept in various jails in Panjab and later moved to a jail in Bihar. Manbeer Singh always stayed in Chardi Kala during his jail time and would continuously read Sri Japji Sahib and constantly pray that one day he would be able to give his life for the Sikh Faith. In December of 1987 Police announced that Manbeer Singh escaped from the Police custody while Police were transporting him back to Panjab from Bihar, but in fact the police had killed him and had disregarded his body into Beas River. In Chandigarh the Panjab Police Chief J.F. Rebiero told news reporters that they don't need to worry as Manbeer Singh will not come back.