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CH: 1
EMERGENCE OF SANT JARNAIL SINGH
It was a providential
coincidence that Jarnail Singh was born in 1947 with the
advent of independence of India in the Brar Sikh family of
Baba Joginder Singh in village Rode, situated near
Mukatsar, the heart land of Punjab. Mukatsar is a historic
town where Guru Gobind Singh had successfully fought the
last battle with the mughal army. This was the region of
the brave Brar Sidhu sikh tribes whom Guru Gobind Singh
had paid tributes for their bravery. Village Rode is not
very far away from another historic village, Dina, where
Guru Gobind Singh stayed for some time and wrote famous
Zafar Nama to Aurangzeb challenging him to fight him there
if he dared and cursed him for his treachery and
atrocities committed on the Khalsa.
Baba Joginder Singh, a
follower of Dam Dami Taksal, was blessed with seven sons,
the youngest being Jarnail Singh whose actual date of
birth is not known.
Jarnail Singh studied up to
fifth grade in the Government Primary School, Rode and was
admitted in the Guru Tegh Bhadur Khalsa High School in the
same village in the sixth grade but he gave up, scholastic
studies because of his immense leanings towards religion
and therefore he engaged himself in meditation and
farming. Sant Gurbachan Singh, Jathedar of Dam Dami Taksal,
used to visit Rode off and on. One day he caught sight of
young boy, Jarnail Singh, who he perceived had possessed
extraordinary spiritual and martial qualities. He was so
much impressed with Jarnail Singh’s captivating
personality that he asked Baba Joginder Singh to place his
son’s services at the disposal of Dam Dami Taksal. The
baba, who himself was a devout Singh, readily agreed and
Sant Gurbachan Singh took Jarnail Singh to village Bhinder
Khaln in Ferozpur district-which was the headquarters of
Dam Dami Taksal there he was initiated and administered
Pahul (baptised) by Sant Gurbachan Singh. Jarnail Singh
since then became Amritdhari and Shasterdhari, a disciple
and an immortal soldier of Guru Gobind Singh. Even before
initiation, Jarnail Singh used to recite Nit-Nem (daily
prayers) and Japuji Sahib besides carrying out his
agricultural activities. After his initiation he learnt by
hearth both Japuji and Guru Granth Sahib.
Jarnail Singh was barely 19,
when he was married to Bibi Pritam Kaur, daughter of Sucha
Singh of village of Balaspur, not very far away from
village Rode. He was blessed with two sons, Ishar Singh
and Inderjit Singh.
When Sant Kartar Singh, head
of Dam Dami Taksal, met with a fatal accident near
Ludhiana city and ultimately passed away in August 1977,
Jarnail Singh in spite of opposition of Akali Dal and
Akali government was anointed as Jathedar of Taksal.
Jarnai Singh at htat time was hardly 30 years but he had
possessed all the qualities of a visionary leader and a
guide. However the Akali leadership and the Akali
government underestimated his latent qualities and
inexhaustible hidden energy. They considered him merely a
novice in the mired and manipulative field of religio-political
affairs. They conveniently forgot that great leaders are
born and not made. And sant Jarnail Singh was a born
leader.
The Akali leadership in state
of self delusion did not take even a casual notice of the
struggle launced by Sant Jarnail Singh against the
onslaught of the Nirankaris maligning the sikh religion
and the sikh gurus nor did they try to counter that
offensive. On the contrary they created several hurdles in
his movement and tried to side line him. They even failed
to take notice of the Union government’s covert support
given to the Nirankari chief for his anti-Sikh and
slanderous activities. In spite of all these hostile
forces working against him sant Jarnail Singh stuck to his
guns and remained a lone figheter against the offensive of
the Nirankaris and valiantly defended the faith of Nanak.
The Indian government led by
Brahmancial Hindus knew well that the Sikhs were the only
martial race in India which has inexhaustible energy,
determination and courage to fight for their just rights.
The hindu polity also knew that the Sikhs can not be
subdued by force for ever. Therefore, the government
cleverly planned to subvert the Sikh relifion and deplete
its numbercal strength by emplying “Kutil Niti” (wicked
strategy) enunciated by Kautilya in the Arth Shastra. To
achieve their ill-conceived objectives the Indian
government inter ilia, patronized, encouraged and aided
Gurbachan Singh, Chirf of Nirankari Mandal, to launch
onslaught against Sikh religion and their Gurus. The
Nirankari chief, a surrogate of the Indian government,
readily acted upon this ill conceived plan in order ot
fulfil the wishes of the government as well as to seek
self aggrandizement by expanding his sphere of influence
among the susceptible Sikhs.
Thus pampered and prompted by
the government he stepped up pernicious activities against
Sikh religion with the main thrust in Punjab it being the
home land of the Sikhs. Gurbachan Singh purposely held
convention of his followers at Hoshiarpur on 13th
April, 1973 and passed extrely derogatory remarkes against
Sikh Gurus and their religion. No Sikh organization or the
Akali Dal and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee
took any notice of this slanderous outburst. This callous
attitude of the Akali Dal and Shiromani Gurdwara
Prabandhak Committee further encouraged Gurbachan Singh to
carry on his tirade against Sikhism.
Mustering courage the
Nirankari chief gathered his crowd at Chowk Mehta on 13th
September, 1973 right under the nose of the newly built
headquarters of Dam Dami Taksal and delivered a highly
provocate speech maligning the Sikhs and denigrating their
Gurus. This was big challenge thrown by the Birankaris as
the very citadel of Sikhism was attacked. Sant Kartar
Singh, predecessor Jarnail Singh, took serious note of
this provocative offensive. He, therefore, organized a
massive demonstration against the lewd Nirankaris and
their irreligious activities. Hundreds of devout Sikhs
were arrested under the inequitable orders of a wily Sikh
Chief Miniset, Giani Zail Singh who was a stooge of Indira
Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India. But Sant Kartar Singh
continued his struggle fearlessly which resulted in
several violent clashes between the Sikhs and the
Nirankaris. Due to the callousness of the government these
clashes culminated in a traumatic incident that took place
at Amritsar on 13th April, 1978 which is the
day celebrated by the Sikhs in commemoration of raising of
the Khalsa. And this tragic incident proved a turning
point in the history of the Sikhs.
The baisakhi day is
celebrated by the Sikhs every year with great zeal in
commemoration of founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind
Singh. The Nirankaris, in a calculated move decided to
hold their annual convention at Amritsar on 13th
April, 1978 which coincided with the Baisakhi day
celebrations. Sant jarnail Singh opposed their ill-coceived
plan and lodged protest with the Akali government led by
Parkash Singh Badal asking it not to allow Nirankaris to
hold convention at Amritsar on the Baisakhi day, but Badal
partially under the pressure of Morar Ji Desai, a Gujrati
Brahman, Prime Minister, and partially to please the Jan
Sangh, a political party of fundamentalist Hindus, allowed
Nirankaris to hold their proposed gathering. A self styled
sikh and mischievous Akali minister Jeewan Singh
Umranangal, was directed to be present at Amritsar on 13th
April, 1978. Sant Jarnail Singh personally requested him
to ban the Nirankari gathering to avoid controntation with
the devout Sikhs but he put off the Sant with a lame
excuse that the District Magistrate had already granted
permission to the Nirankaris to hold convention. Had the
Akali government wished it could have very well directed
the District Magistrate to withdraw the permission but
that was not to happen as the government was hostile to
the Sant. Therefore it intentionally played this mischief
so as to let down Sant Jarnail Singh.
Feeling disgused at the
dubious ole of the Akali government Sant Jarnail Singh
consulted his followers and supporters and decided to send
a Jatha(squad) of devout Sikhs to the venue of the
Nirankari convention to lodge a peaceful protest against
their anti-Sikhs activities and utterances. No sooner did
the small Jatha reached near the venue than the blood
thirsty Nirankaris opened fire on the Jatha killing 13
Sikhs and injuring about two score. When this unprovoked
firing took place, Hardev Singh Chhina, the chief
secretary, and Niranjan Singh as I.A.S officer were
present at the Nirankari stage. Both these officers are
diehard Nirankaris. It is a matter of shame that the Akali
government did not take any action against both these
officers for their ignoble complicity in the ghastly
crime. Surprisingly the police had witnessed the brutal
occurrence as a silent spectator. The presence of
Umranangal at Amritsar and that of Hardev Singh Chhina at
the Nirankari stage, proves beyond slightest doubt that
these hostile forces had conspired to lower down the image
of Sant Jarnail Singh as well as of Dam Dami Taksal
un-mindful of the fact that Sikhsim was under attack and
that it would entail serious and disastrous consequences.
When the tragic news of
ghastly murder of defence-less Sikhs reached Sant Jarnail
Singh, He was anguished and vowed that he would not allow
the blood of 13 devout Sikhs go waste. To assuage the
injured feelings of agitated Sikhs the Akali government
registered a criminal case of murder and other offences
against the Nirankari cr5iminals including Gurbachan
Singh, their chief. But none of the accused was attested.
Sant Jarnail Singh's anguish and anger did not cool down.
He condemned the passive action of the Akali government
and invigorated the Morcha against the Nirankaris. When
the Morcha gathered momentum the Akali Dal and Shiromani
Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee were ultimately compelled to
persuade Jathedar f Akali Takht. Gurdial Singh Anjoha, to
issue a Hukamnama (edict) against hte Nirankaris. The Akal
Takht issued Hukamnama on 10th June 1978, which was the
martyrdom day of Guru Arja Dev and was read out by the
Jathedar to the Sikh congregation from Manji Sahib and
Akal Takht. The Hukamnama in brief declared, "That the
Nirankaris headed by Gurbachan Singh have launched a
pernicious offensive against the Sikhs and their Gurus."
It is aimed at denigrating the Sihs religion. The
Nirankari chief who poses himself as Avtar. , has
massacreed 13 Sikhs on the Baisakhi day. This had posed a
serious challenge to the survival of the SIkh religion.
Therefore every Sikh is required to oppose by all means
the vicious Sect of the Nirankaris which is the enemy of
the Sikh faith. Every Sikh is further directed to severe
all relations with the Nirankaris and with those Sikhs who
have joined or still supported the immoral sect of
Nirankaris.
Issuance of this
Hukamnama was a big victory for Sant Jarnail Singh but he
was not yet fully satisfied. He demanded closure of all
Nirankari Bhanwans, which according to him are the evil
dens spewing venom against Sikhism in Punjab. To achieve
this aim, he continued his agitation till the Akali
government was compelled to close down all Nirankari
Bhawans in Punjab with effect from 20th August 1978. the
Sikhs felt jubilant but their rejoice was short lived as
Akali government again yielded to the pressure exerted by
the Brahman Prime Minister Morar Ji Desai and the Jan
Sangh and allowed the Nirankaris to open Bhawans on 27th
August, 1978, just after a week. But the Sant resisted
this move saying that he will not allow to open the
Nirankaris Bhawans.
In retaliation to
the statement of Sant Bhindranwale that he will not allow
to open the Nirankari Bhawans. Harbans lal khanna a leader
of jan Sangh Party’s amritsar unit declared that he would
lead the hindus and Nirankaris to reopen the Nirankaris
Bhawans on 27th august. This was an open challenge to the
Sikhs in general and Bhindranwale taksal in particular.
Apprehending confrontation between these waring groups
Badal requested Talwandi and Tohra respectively.
Presisdents of Akali Dal and Shiromani Gurdwara
Pranbandhak Committee, to persuade Sant Bhindranwale that
he should drop the plan to go to Amritsar on that day.
Both the Akali leaders accordingly pleaded with him to
drop his plan and they succeeded in their mission only on
the assurance that they shall not allow reopening of the
Nirankari Bhawans on 27th August. Nevertheless the Bhawans
were unlocked and reopened with the help of the security
forces. Talwandi and Tohra later apologized to Sant
Jarnail Singh accusing Badal that he did not agree to keep
the Bhawans locked. The sant was thus betrayed and duped.
When he was let down by the government Sant Bhindranwale
intensified anti-Nirankari movement which yielded fruit.
Now Badal himself declared that he would close down the
Nirankari Bhawans. He also gave assurance that the
objectionable portions from “Avtar Bani” and “Yug Purush”
both Nirankari’s heretic books, shall be deleted. But
actually no steps were taken to fulfill this promise. As a
result anti-Nirankari movement continued unabated.
Meanwhile Gurbachan
Singh, encouraged by the Hindus and the Indian government,
carried on his activities not in Punjab but in other parts
of the country. He announced to hold Nirankari convention
in Allahabad on 25th September 1978 but the devout Sikhs
chased him out of the city. He then gathered his followers
in Nirankari Bhawans, Kanpur, on 26th September and under
the shadow of the Security forces held another convention
there. The devout Sikhs again converged there in large
numbers but the Nirankaris attacked them with the support
of the Hindu police. The police resorted to lathi charge
and also opened fire on Sikhs. The brutal use of police
force left a trail of blood. Twelve Sikhs were killed and
nearly eighty were seriously injured. This time ghastly
crime was committed by the Hindu police in connivance with
the Nirakaris and the government. The Kanpur tragedy
clearly showed that the Hindus were openly siding the the
Nirankaris and were poised against the Sikhs.
However undaunted by
the unholy alliance of the hindus and the Nirankaris sant
Bhindranwale continued his struggle for restoring lost
glory of the Khalsa. Whenever and wherever Akali leaders
deviated from the path of Sikhism he demonstrated them
publicly and advised them to mend their ways. Most
important instance of deviation by the Akali Dal from
tenets of Sikh religion was the historic Akali conference
held at Ludhiana from 26th October to 28th October 1978.
Sant Bhindranwale
was a genius and a born leader unlike spineless Harchand
Singh Longowal upon whom leadership was thrust. Longowasl
looked pigmy not only in physical stature but also
intellectually compared with Sant Bhindranwale. Sant
Bhindranwale has had far greater vision and foresight. He
had a remarkable inquisitive insight and intuitive power.
He was a symbol of indomitable courage, valour and
spiritual power. His more than six-feet tall, stature
piercing and fiery eyes, animated the dormant energy of
Sikh peasantry, Sikh intellectuals and the Sikh youths.
These extraordinary qualities raised him from the state of
an ordinary farmer preacher to thee status of a great
leader and a gallant defender of the Sikh faith. He could
be treated little short of a prophet or a messiah. Is
there any other leader born in the Sikhs history in the
twentieth century who has infused such a new life into the
Khalsa Panth the word over and galvanized it into un-defeatable
and unbreakable body. It was due to his charismatic and
captivating personality that he had risen like the sun and
eclipsed all other Akali leaders in a short span of a few
years. Such a leader is born once a while. Therefore to
compare him with Longowal is to compare him with a candle.
A candle could be blown out by a whistle but it is
senseless to think of blowing the sun out. A candle gives
light when it is ignited but the sun shines eternally of
its own energy and gives light wherever it goes. Sant
Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale would continue to shine in the
annals of history of the Sikhs.
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