ਪ੍ਰਥਮਰਹਿਤਯਹਿਜਾਨਖੰਡੇਕੀਪਾਹੁਲਛਕੇ॥ ਸੋਈਸਿੰਘਪ੍ਰਧਾਨਅਵਰਨਪਾਹੁਲਜੋਲਏ॥

Akal Purakh Kee Rachha Hamnai, SarbLoh Dee Racchia Hamanai


    View Post Listing    |    Search    



Articles on the 1978 Vaisakhi Shaheedee Saakaa
Posted by: tapoban (IP Logged)
Date: June 01, 2010 09:57AM

1978 Vaisakhi Massacre
Taken from Jasvant Singh Kanval's "Khoon Kay Sohilay Gaaveeaih Nanak"
Translated by Admin, www.tapoban.org

[*note* This is a translation of Jasvant Singh's work. It is an interesting
account but Admin does not claim this is the authoritative sequence of events.]


http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/2774/1978p.jpg



On Vaisakhi Day, the Nirankaris held their yearly smaagam at Sree Amritsar. In the open grounds in front of GobindGaRh fort, they erected a large tent and virtually erected a new Nirankari town. First the Nirankaris took out a procession through the town. In the procession, they shouted out their own slogans like "Today's Nanak has arrived! The saving-one has arrived!". Some Singhs who heard these slogans went and informed Sant Jarnail Singh jee at Manjee Saahib. He was the leader of Damdamee Taksaal. Sant jee was very saddened to hear about all these happenings. He could not tolerate anyone claiming equal status with Guru Nanak and sacrilegious comments about GurbaaNee. He immediately appealed to the Sangat to stop this sloganeering. At the same time, The AKJ Singhs were having their yearly smaagam in Ajeet Nagar, singing uninterrupted and pure keertan. This attachment to keertan was the gift of the great patriot Bhai Sahib Bhai Randheer Singh jee. Because colonialism was eating away at the Sikhs, Bhai Saahib wanted to bring people back to the pristine path of Gurmat and follow it in high spirits. To stop all kurehits, he relied primarily on keertan of GurbaaNee. So, Sant Jarnail Singh sent a Singh to Ajeet Nagar to inform those Singhs.

The messenger too was a Tat-Khalsa and he went and told the stage announcer:
"Singh jee, Sant Jarnail Singh has sent me. In the Nirankari procession, such slogans were shouted against Gurus and GurbaaNee that they cannot be tolerated and are challenging the honour of all Singhs. Come, let us all stop this procession!" He then repeated the disgusting slogans.

"Such horrible slogans!" the announcer said in passion. He immediately, without seeking any advice, said to the gathering "Beloved Sadh Sangat jee! Sant Jarnail Singh has sent a message that the Nirankaris are shouting slogans against the Gurus in their procession. Come let us go stop this procession. It is the Khalsa's responsibility to stop the disrespect of the Gurus and stopping their slander. We have been called to Manjee Sahib."

One of the Keertanee Jatha's leading young men, Fauja Singh, was at that time in the Langar kneading flour. He heard the call on the loud speaker and immediately began to wash his hands of the dough. He said to himself upon hearing all this "there is such a situation and you are still kneading dough?"

Hearing the announcer's call, half the sangat rose up. Again a voice from the mike spoke, "Children, the elderly and our sisters will not go to stop the procession"

The Singhs did an ardaas and left with the calls of Jaikaaray. The group moved towards Manjee Saahib chanting Satnaam Vahiguru, Vahiguru, Vahiguru. Sant Jee was at this time not at Manjee Saahib but was in Guru Ram Das Saraa(n). The Singhs arrived there. Bhai Avtar Singh began,

"You are Sant Jarnail Singh jee? You had sent a message for the Akhand
Keertanee Jatha?"
"Yes" said Sant jee
"Now what are your orders?"
"The Narkdhaaree procession has passed, but we should go stop their smaagam"
"Then come, rise. Will you lead the Singhs?"
"The Sangat has forbidden me from going. I am helpless. Bhai Sahib jee, you take the lead" Sant jee said, motioning to Bhai Harinder Singh. One young man in the Sangat called out in anger "Then Bhai Fauja Singh and Bhai Harinder Singh too will not go! You are the ones that called us." Bhai Avtar Singh silenced the young man with a motion of his hand.
"No problem, don't go" Sant Jarnail Singh said to Bhai Fauja Singh and Harinder Singh.

"But I have done an ardaas before Guru Maharaj. How will the Guru forgive one who backs down after an ardaas?" Bhai Sahib showed his steadfastness.

Some talk took place and then a group from both Jathas moved towards GobindGaRh. Some men had long sticks. The Taksalis had two .303 rifles, which served no use at the time of the confrontation. One rifle was defective and did not fire and the person who held the other backed away from the fight. In other words, these weapons did nothing in the fight.
While repeating Satnam Vahiguru, the procession reached the Railway Crossing where they were stopped by a Police Inspector. The Police had been informed that a group of 250 Singhs was coming towards the Nirankari smaagam.

"Where are you going?" the Inspector asked, shaking his stick. Bhai Avtar Singh took the discussion into his own hands.
"We are going to request the Nirankaris to stop speaking ill of GurbaaNee and the Gurus. You too are a Sikh, tolerating the slander of the Gurus is very hard."
"You want to do something illegal? You're going to disrupt a religious smaagam?"
"No sir, we are going to preserve religious sentiments. To disrupt is to insult religion, and that is what the Nirankaris are doing. You did not hear what kinds of slogans they were yelling in that procession. Our hearts are hurt by those awful slogans. We are going to express our outrage at their words."

"You stop here, I'll go stop them myself"
"We have to stop their smaagam" Bhai Fauja Singh said.

Seeing the enflamed passions of the group, the Inspector took a softer approach.

"Ok young man, I'll try my best" and the Inspector began to walk towards the smaagam.

The Sangat sat down on the road and began to repeat "Vahiguru". The meditation continued, while waiting for the Inspector to return. Fauja Singh was sure that the Inspector would do nothing. This was like rubbing salt on an open wound. "They are trying to cool our passion. He probably is gone to warn the Nirankaris."

Both Jathas understood the government was behind the Nirankaris, supporting them. The Inspector returned,

"Bhai Sahib! This is not in my control, but you too shouldn't go"

"We had listened to you so that no one would think that we were being extreme" said Bhai Avtar Singh calmly, "But no Sikh can tolerate the slander of BaNee or the Gurus."

"You stand aside, only that will happen now, that the Guru wills" said Bhai Fauja Singh moving past the Inspector. He drew a line on the road with his kirpan. "Whichever Singh wants martyrdom can cross this line. Whoever values his life should go back."

About 125 Singhs crossed the line: 150 stood there like statues. Some amongst them were gawkers as well. The Police could not calm the Singhs passion. The Singhs moved forwards shouting Jaikaras. The Inspector sent an urgent message for reinforcements.

Around the smaagam, countless trucks and cars were parked. When the Singhs neared the smaagam, many Nirankari youth dressed in police-like uniforms came out. They were all armed. They called to the Singhs: "Turn back! Go back! You have no work here!"

"We have come to speak to your leader. Why are you slandering the Gurus?" Bhai Avtar Singh replied.

The Nirankaris opened fire. In the first burst, three or four Singhs fell. The Singhs too unsheathed their swords. The Singhs advanced and began to cut at the Nirankari guards. But what match is there between guns and swords? The Nirankaris had started their smaagam with full preparation. They had arranged for weapons and fighters.

The Singhs had not thought they would have to play Holi of blood with the Nirankaris. Such was the clamour and confusion that all lost their senses. A lot of Nirankaris left the tent. The Singhs had bricks, arrows, stones and bullets rain upon them. But the Singhs did not lose heart and continued to move forward. Some Singhs, afraid of death, began to run back. Bhai Fauja Singh called them, "No one will call you Singhs of Guru Gobind Singh! Come back and fight!" But they did not stop.

"At least give us the two rifles??!!"
But they did not hear any of this and ran away. Bhai Fauja Singh was a Gatka fighter and using different Pentras, he was fighting the gunners. One burst of fire hit him in his eye. He fell. And then again he immediately rose and continued to attack. Two more bullets hit him the head and again he fell. At that time, Bhai Keval Singh came and lay on top of him

"Brother Fauja Singh, you can't leave all alone! You have to take me with you!"

Two bullets also struck Bhai Keval Singh and he was martyred on the spot. Bhai Avtar Singh had already passed on.

Bhai Fauja Singh was still alive and a river of blood was coming from his body. Bodies were lying all around, of which most were the wounded. The tent was emptied by those running away. The Rickshaw drivers left their cars and ran. Both sides had lost about 15-20, but the injured could not be counted.

The gun fire slowed. Two Singh children of about 12/13 years recognised Bhai Fauja Singh. They pulled him aside. Bhai Fauja Singh's body was like that of an elephant. With bravery, those boys put his body below the rickshaw seat. While one held the body, the other began to pull the rickshaw. Once they had started to move, a Police party arrived. At the Hall Gate the Police stopped the rickshaw

"Oi, this body? Where are you taking it?"

"To the Hospital. This is Bhai Fauja Singh, he's still alive." The boys said fearlessly.

"Get out of here or we'll beat the hell out of you!" said the officer swinging his staff.

The boys left the rickshaw and the police took the body to the hospital. Other bodies were also arriving there. All of Amritsar was gripped in fear. All faces were blank and could say nothing. The Nirankaris took some of their dead, loaded them on trucks and took them to some unknown location.
All the hired thugs were told to run away to avoid arrest. The Nirankari leader himself left for Jalandhar in a government car. A high official had advised him to run away. The collusion between the Hindu Press, the Police and Nirankaris was clear to all of Amritsar. It was the talk of the town, "did the Vaisakhi massacre just happen, or was it orchestrated?"

..The news of this massacre had also reached Ajeet Nagar. All of Amritsar had been shaken like a tornado. Bhai Fauja Singh's wife had insisted on accompanying the Jatha but all women were restricted from doing this. Bhai Fauja Singh's wife had said to her husband,

"I won't let you go alone. Keep me with you"
"It's not your turn yet. You have many other tasks to accomplish yet" Said Bhai Fauja Singh with a laugh. "Try picturing my dead body"

"Hai! I'll die with you!"

"No, you don't have the order for that"

"I want to follow YOUR order" she said, standing beside him.

"And that's why I'm saying you will not go with us"

Bhai Fauja Singh already had one murder case going on him and he was out on bail.

In Deena Nagar, a youth had raped a Sikh woman. Bhai Fauja Singh tried to talk with him,
"All daughters and sisters are the same. You didn't do the right thing"
"Who are you to explain anything to me?" Said the youth. "I've just come to make this request. There are bad results for acts like this" "I'll do this again. Who can stop me?" Said the increasingly argumentative youth.
"No, this isn't right. You should keep the community in mind too"
"You can use your force and do what you want. I'll keep doing this" "Fine, remember your maker then." Said the Singh as he dug his spear into the youth's chest. "keep doing what you want now". The young goon died on the spot.

Bhai Fauja Singh's wife sighed.

"One case hasn't finished, and you're ready for a second"
"All have to act according to Hukam, you will not come" Fauja Singh forbid his wife.

She stayed back in sadness.




**********************




Memories of Bh. Fauja Singh: Interview with Bibi Amarjit Kaur
Taken from So Kaheeat Hai Soora, August 2004
Translated by Admin www.tapoban.org


http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/4626/faujasingh.jpg



When a time of darkness falls upon a community and its people are in a deep sleep, then Akaal Purakh sends some blessed souls who may only spend a short time on the earth but light the way of their people for centuries. These blessed souls spread the rays of truth, remove the darkness and awaken the long sleeping people.

In 1978, the Sikh youth were in a deep sleep. Akaal Purakh at that time sent such a blessed soul, who, with the splashes of his blood, woke the Panth. That soul was Shaheed Jathedar Bhai Fauja Singh jee. The entire Sikh community was falling into the pit of Communism, Brahminism and faith in false human-gurus. The martyrdom of Bhai Fauja Singh and his companions started a new chapter for the Sikhs.

Here is an interview with that brave warrior’s wife, Bibi Amarjit Kaur.

? Respected Bibi jeeo! Will you tell us about the Khalsa Farm that was started by Bhai Sahib Fauja Singh ?

-Inside him (Bhai Fauja Singh) there was a blazing inferno to reinvigorate the Sikhs. He wanted every Sikh to be both religiously and politically aware. He wanted the community to take the Khalsa form and move towards Khalsa Raj.

Once, he (Bhai Fauja Singh) was in vairaag and he went from Amritsar to MachheevaaRaa, near the Satluj river and went into Bhai Hardial Singh and Darshan Singh’s fields to do solitary simran. Those Singhs respected him very much and when he wanted to return after spending quite a bit of time there, they would not let him leave. They were even willing to give him some land there. When I found out about this, I reminded him, “you yourself used to tell me that across the river in Gazneepur you have some land and used to suggest making a farm there to start Sikhi camps…”

He liked my suggestion. This is how Khalsa Farm was started.

In the Farm, all the Singhs woke up around 2am and did amrit vela. After that there was keertan, gatka practice, etc. that lasted the entire day. He (Bhai Fauja Singh) used to jap naam very loudly. When the camp concluded, all the Singhs would be sad to be separating and departing and would even begin to weep. They did not feel like leaving.

Fauja Singh used to say that this was the place of Shaheed Singhs from the smaller Ghalooghaaraa. Many other Singhs also felt the presence and patrol of Shaheed Singhs. The location was very peaceful. Because it was isolated, it was very good for simran, keertan and gurbaaNee.

He had immeasurable desire to see Sikhi grow and blossom but Vahiguru did not give enough time…

? While staying with Bhai Sahib, can you tell us about any unforgettable memories?

-There are so many memories. Actually, the entire time spent with him was unforgettable. I will never forget them…even now I feel his presence. He had such a personality that everyone was attracted to him. He was always surrounded by both worldly people and religious people. I too couldn’t help but be effected by him.

There was a pull towards him, but I did not even think of marriage with him. I did not tie a keskee back then, but I did do keertan. I also went to the Akhand Keertanee Jatha’s smaagams. But I had no desire to be married. In truth, I was quite afraid of household life. To take care of children and prepare food was no easy taks for me because I had very little desire to do those sort of things.

Once, he (Bhai Fauja Singh) saw me doing keertan at Bhai Bakhtaavar Singh (Chayharta)’s house and asked Bhai Bakhtaavar Singh about me. When Bhai Bakhtaavar Singh’s Singhnee asked me, I said in cry clear words that I don’t know much about cooking or other housekeeping and I’m very afraid of raising children and because of this I have decided to not get married.

He replied that he already prepares his own food and he didn’t feel any need to have children and that all Gursikh’s children were like his own and he gave them just as much love.

After this, my mother and father saw him. A year after our engagement ardaas, we had our anand kaaraj. During this time, I began to tie a dastaar. He kept both his promises: for his entire life he made his own food.

? Will you tell us about any words Bhai Fauja Singh spoke before his martyrdom about the future?

-Quite a bit before his martyrdom, he began to say that there was another battle to be fought. It was about this time that S. Gajinder Singh’s poem “Gangoo dee Rooh” (Gangoo’s spirit) was published. He would read the lines from this poem many times:

“There’s Gandhi, there’s Nehru and there’s Nehru’s daughter. They are all just Gangoo, what else is there here?”

He said they would try to bring Sikhi down with any way possible and that to stop them, every Singh would have to be shastardhaari (carry weapons). He would say to me many times, “Every time you’re left behind. And then I have to take birth again for you. This time I won’t leave you behind.”

Every day, at least ten times a day he would say to me, “Don’t cry when you see my body…this is going to happen. Accept BhaaNaa. “

One day, he came to get me from my school. My fellow teachers were with me and they also respected him a lot (this was April 11th). He said to my fellow teachers, “Bhain jee, the divine call is coming. I’m going to leave…and I’m ready.”

Once we went to meet Bhai Avtaar Singh of KhuDaa(n) Kalaa(n) and he too said, “Bibi, me and Bhai Fauja Singh are going to leave very soon. You should keep working…” At that time I didn’t understand what he meant but when it happened, only then did I understand what he was trying to say.

He used to also say, “If the Sikh Kaum became solid in BaaNee, BaaNaa, sevaa and simran, Satguru jee is willing to give them raj even today.” He used to say that as soon as the Kaum becomes pure, Khalsa Raj will come.

? What was the relationship like between Bhai Sahib and Sant Giani Kartar Singh jee Bhindravale?

-There was a very loving relationship. Sant Giani Kartar Singh jee used to have a lot of love and respect for him. He would spread his hazooriya on the ground for him (Bhai Sahib) to sit on.

It was in those days that some mischievous people disrespected Sree Guru Granth Sahib jee in Gurdwara Guru Kay Mehal and he (Bhai Sahib) had arrived there along with his companions. The incensed mob threw rocks and bottles of acid at the Singhs. Their clothes burnt off but their bodies were alright. After this incident, we along with the Bhindravala Jatha took out a march through Amritsar and at this time Sant jee gave his full support.

It was also at this time that we would go to Mehta Chownk to do Akhand Keertan. Sant Giani Kartar Singh was very opposed to human Gurudoms and because of this, he (Bhai Sahib) had a lot of love for him. To stop the Narakhdari attacks, we started a common front.

And in addition, he also had a lot of love for Sant Baba Harnam Singh Rampur Khaeray vaalay. One time Sant jee came from Khaera Sahib to Sree Amritsar and his avasthaa was very vairagi. I met him in Guru Ram Das Saraa(n) and I asked him to come to our home. Sant jee had not eaten for four days.

He (Bhai Sahib) said to Baba jee, “Baba jee, please give my message to Guru Gobind Singh jee” Baba jee replied, “Alright son, I’ll give it.” What that message was, I didn’t know nor did he ask.

The next day Sant jee said, “Son, I gave your message to Guru Sahib. Guru Sahib has said, “So Sikh sakhaa bandhap hai bhai jo gur kay bhaanay vich aavai…”

At that time I didn’t understand what Guru Sahib’s bhaaNaa was. When he became shaheed though, I understood everything about what bhaaNaa Sant jee was talking about.

? At the time of Bhai Sahib’s martyrdom, what do you think Sant Giani Jarnail Singh jee Bhindranvale’s mental state was?


-I felt that because of his (Bhai Sahib’s) shaheedee along with the shaheedee of his companions, Sant jee was feeling a lot of pain. The pain in his heart was visible on his face. He used to say that he was indebted to these Singhs who had spilled their blood for Shabad Guru. “I will pay off this debt by spilling my own blood. The whole world will be left watching…”

? Usually in the media and in the religious-political groups, you are presented as having been opposed to Sant jee. How much truth is there in this?

-There is no truth in this at all. I truly respected Sant Giani Jarnail Singh jee from my heart and will continue to do so. He used to have a lot of respect for me as well. I remember that when we used to meet in the Parkarma, he would say Fateh first and would say over and over, “Well Bibi jee, are you well? Is there any seva…if you need anything let me know. My head bows before you and because you are the wife of a Shaheed, I respect you from my heart.”

? This year is the 20th anniversary of the Blue Star Operation. Will you share your experiences with the Sangat?

-During Operation Blue Star, I was here inside (Sree Darbaar Sahib). On June 4th, at amrit vela, the bombardment began. On June 5th, I was successful in reaching Darbar Sahib to matha taek. There, I met Ragi Amrik Singh who was blind. I said to him, “Bhai sahib jee, keertan should not stop in Guru Ram Das jee’s home.” He agreed and even though there was bombardment, he kept doing keertan. In the end, he was martyred after being hit by a bullet near the Lachi Baer. We all became used to the sounds of bullets. We came and went to Darbar Sahib in a hail of bullets. My younger sister Paramjit Kaur was also here. She did the seva of tending to injured Singhs. She gave water to the fighting Singhs and in the end she was martyred by the chhabeel (water station). One Singh came from the Babbar’s side and took me to the Saraa(n). I didn’t want to go but he forcibly took me.

One thing is for sure, everything that happened (all the planning and fortifications) can be attributed to Gen. Shabegh Singh’s mind. That amazing warrior-General did something that the whole world will remember. I bow my head before the bravery and daring of Sant Jarnail Singh and his companion Singhs. They ended up being great shaheeds of the Kaum.

? What would you like to say about the Sant-vaad growing under the name of Sikhism in Punjab today?

- In truth, “Sant” is not the name of some type of special dress, it is the name for the nature of a Gurmukh who has lived his life according to GurbaaNee. Today there are a lot of Sant Babas in the Kaum who talk about the Guru. They attach the sangat to the Guru Ghar and they are to be congratulated. But if someone attaches others to himself, then he is dangerous. The Kaum today needs Mahapurakhs. If they are like Baba Harnam Singh Khaeray vaalay, they are welcom. But if they are frauds and hypocrites, then the Sikhs must begin to think, because it is they themselves that give bundles of money to the Sants.

? Will you tell us something about Bhai Fauja Singh Trust?

-That is our home. We don’t charge any child. We enroll four types of children: 1) Those effected by the Punjab problem including the children of Kharkoos and the children of those killed by kharkoos. We don’t discriminate. No matter what side that child came from, he can be enrolled. 2) Orphan children with no mother or father. 3) Widow families and the children of women who have been widowed for whatever reason. 4) Those children from poor families who want to study and are smart.

We don’t take help from any government agency. I want that this house becomes the children’s own and orphaned children consider it their own home.

? In the end, do you have any message for the Panth’s youth?

-This is a difficult question. They are themselves wise. I just have one request, “Man maeray satgur kai bhaaNai chal. Nij ghar vaseh(n) amrit peeveh(n) taa(n) such laheh(n) mahul.”



***********************************



Bhai Fauja Singhs Letter


Respected Amarjeet Kaur jeeo,

Vaahiguru jee ka khasa vaahiguru jee kee fateh!

I have accepted your advice and have forgotten that Singh. He can do whatever he wants. What is it to us?

Otherwise, I have a request I want to make of you. We have finished our worldly lives and taken birth in the Guru’s house and even more than that, we have enlisted in the Guru’s army. It is the responsibility of every Sikh born in the Guru’s house that he does some seva, and we have as of yet not been able to do this seva with our own hands. But we certainly should do some seva. You should consider the case you are fighting as seva of Gursikhi and do so in a heartfelt, happy and thankful spirit, knowing that Satguru jee is teaching something and something good will come out of this lesson.

If you stay laughing and happy, then know that his will is sweet. There is almost no Sikh spirit left in Singhs now. If you stay laughing and happy, then forget just Fauja Singh, know that you will break the jail of the entire world. If you lose this battle or feel scared/worried, and if you go sit alone in regret, then know that the livng example of Sikhi has begun to falter. Become like how Singhs and Singhnees are supposed to be. Make your life embody those principles. That hot air (hard time) you are in now, should become cool after touching your body. Those jungles that you must go through should remain laughing by your spirit for years to come. Those oceans which you must cross, their deepness and terror should always be reduced. Those paths that you are going to walk on, should forever bear your marks. That life which rises above cowardice becomes like a spring of love. It becomes a tower of sacrifice. Those people who call sacrifice “being destroyed”, let them say it. This is what suits them. Those people who enjoy sleeping on their comfortable beds, and call this “life”, let them talk. This is their delusion.

Those who see jail and the noose as manmat, let them rest. They cannot resolve any affair of the Kaum. Those who become terrified by the crackle of the gun, let them jap naam so their cowardice can be eliminated.

Those who cannot protect their own life, faith and daughters and sisters, let them act smart because they cannot do kurbani (sacrifice). Those who are attached to their daughters, sons and property, let them remain intoxicated in that. They know a lot of excuses and they cannot bear any hardships due to their nature.

Do not feel bad about those who use the excuse of bhagti and do not pay attention to the work of the Kaum. This is their karma.

Don’t speak to the frog of the well about the ocean. Understanding the ocean is not something it is capable of doing. Those Kaums who smoke cigarettes and use tobacco are rising to new heights. The Singh children of Dasam Guru, the free Kaums, are crying for their saviour.

Sat Sri Akaal to the Sarbat Khalsa.

Fauja Singh






******************************





Part I

Finally, the Fake Gurus Rested Only After Drinking the Blood of the Sikh…
By Giani Gurdit Singh in Singh Sabha Patrika, May 1978



The indifferent attitude of the Sikh Kaum, the daily increase in fake Gurus and the careless attitude adopted towards these frauds has finally produced a very bitter fruit which the Sikh Kaum has now been forced to taste like hot iron. On the day of the creation of the Khalsa, Vaisakhi, the fake Nirankaris made a daring decision to challenge the Sikh people in Amritsar and did so in a very grand fashion. In Amritsar, where before only the Sikhs and Hindus took out separate processions, saw the fake Nirankaris on Vaisakhi day, take out a procession with hundreds of thousands of followers. They dared the Sikh community by gathering all their followers using full-page advertisements in anti-Sikh newspapers. All the walls in Punjab were plastered with their advertisements.

The Nirankari Mahant sat his wife beside him and on the main street of Amritsar took out a procession fit for an emperor. To hurt the sentiments of the Sikhs they shouted insulting slogans, one of which is reported to have been, “On this day Guru Gobind Singh chose the Punj Pyaaray. I will pick the Sat Sitaaray (seven stars).”

It should be remembered that to annoy the Sikhs, these people had earlier called themselves equal to Guru Nanak and had appointed a woman cult-member as “Bibi Nanaki” and some men were appointed to the positions of “Bhai Mardana”, “Bhai Bala”, “Bhai Gurdas” and “Baba Buddha” along with other historical Sikh personalities. Just like a neighbour names his dog after his enemy, the Nirankaris have used the same method.

It is a rumour in Amritsar that Sant Jarnail Singh Mehta (Bhindranvalay) and his Jatha had arrived in the city to stop the false propaganda of the Nirankaris, as they had done in some earlier much talked about instances. On Vaisakhi day, after arriving at Manji Sahib Divan Hall, Sant jee expressed his grievance to Jathedar Jeevan Singh Umranangal (Punjab Minister), who was present to give a speech. Jathedar jee, as it has been told to us, told Sant jee, “Whatever was going to happen has happened. Their final congregation is going on and their procession has ended. The government cannot act at this point.”

Umranangal also said that the Chief Minister could stop the Nirankari congregation only. After this, the Minister and Sant jee had a hot exchange of words and Sant jee left by saying “whatever is going to happen now, we’ll do ourselves”.

Sant jee arrived in Guru Ram Das Saraa(n) and it was decided that they would go to the Nirankari Divan and tell them that they should not hurt Sikh sentiments any further. Sant Jarnail Singh is also reported to have announced, “We are leaving. Whatever is going to happen can happen.” This news was received in Manji Sahib Divan Hall and also Ajit Nagar where a Smagam in honour of Bhai Randhir Singh’s 100 year birth anniversary was being held. Bhai Hazara Singh DSP (Rt.) announced that a message from Sant Jarnail Singh had come and those Singhs who wanted to come could come, but women and the elderly should stay behind. No disturbance should be caused.


Singhs Receiving Word

The Akhand Kirtani Jatha’s Singhs were enjoying the bliss of keertan when a person sent by Baba Jarnail Singh Mehta came and delivered the message that Sant jee, after doing an ardaas, had decided to go towards the Nirankari gathering to tell their leaders not to hurt the sentiments of the Sikhs.

This information came through Bhai Joginder Singh jee that Baba Jarnail Singh Mehta had sent a message that his Jatha would go towards the Nirankari gathering to tell the “Nirankari Baba” not to insult the Sikh Gurus. “Whatever Singhs want to go may also come but everyone should stay peaceful.” In our opinion, this decision was reached in haste without taking into account what preparations the other side had made.

After this announcement, about 100 Singhs rose from the congregation and after bowing to Guru Granth Sahib, made their departure................

 



Re: Articles on the 1978 Vaisakhi Shaheedee Saakaa
Posted by: admin (IP Logged)
Date: June 02, 2010 08:11AM

Bump

 





© 2007-2024 Gurdwara Tapoban Sahib