On This Day

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

October 22nd

1710 Baba Gurbakhash Singh (Banda Bahadur), escaped Bahadhur Shah's forces.

1718 Jassa Singh Ahluwalia was born.

1893 Maharaja Dalip Singh, the last prince of Maharaja Ranjit Singh passed away in exile.

1909 The Anand Marriage Act was passed.

1983 Classes for Khalsa College started as a middle school in a house near Hall gate in the city of Amritsar.

1981 Akali leaders met Narsimha Rao, representing the Prime Minister.

1987 Sarbat Khalsa stopped by the Indian Government.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

October 23rd

1506 Janam Utsav, Baba Budha Ji. Baba Budha Ji was born at Kathunangal, Amritsar.

==> BABA BUDHA JI: born on 7 katak sanmat 1563 at Kathunangal (Dist. Amritsar) to father Sudhae and mother Gora. Parents named the child as Budda. In sanmat 1574, Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited Kathunangal village. While grazing cattle, Budda met Guru Nanak and served milk in sewa. During their conversation, Guru Nanak declared that though young in age, he was "Budha" in terms of understanding and wisdom. Since then he came to known as Budha.

Budha adopted Sikh faith and lived an exemplary GurSikh living. As a result he came to respectfully known as "Baba Budha" and righteously earned some of the highest Gurughar honors. In sanmat 1661, he was bestowed the honor of being the first Granthi (head priest) of the holy Harminder Sahib after installation of the holy Guru Granth Sahib there for the first time. He had the privilege to serve, enjoy the company, and receive blessing of first six Gurus. Guru Har Gobind Sahib learned gurmukhi from Baba Budha. Since Guru Angad Dev Ji period and until Guru Har Gobind Sahib, Baba Budha was responsible for tilak during the gur gadhi ceremonies.

Finally on 18 Maghar Sanmat 1688, Baba Budha Ji passed away in village Ramdas (Dist. Amritsar). Guru Har Gobind personally conducted the cremation and last rituals. At the place of cremation, a beautiful Mandir named "SachKhand", was established.

Since Sujan Singh Ji did not have any children, Baba Budha's Gadhi came under the control of Udasi Pracharaks, which is as follows:

Charandas,

Brahamprakas

Ramprasaad

Thajurdas

Raghudas, who became Raghubir Singh after partaking Amrit. Raghubir Singh was the last Mahant after whom the control was passed onto the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandak Committee.

Present generations from Baba Buddha's brothers still flourish in Badhae Ramdaspurae.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

October 24th

1605 Jahagir was throned the Mughal emporer.

1781 Khalsa Dal attacked Anup-Shehar (UP) and arrested the British Commander, Lt. Col. Stuart as a prisoner of war.

1953 Punjabi Suba Convention at Amritsar inaugurated by Dr. Lanka Sundram.

1974 The "Khalsa Council" was established.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

October 25th

1708 Jotti Jot, Tenth Patshah, Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

==> GURU GOBIND SINGH JI (1666-1708), tenth Patshah of the Sikh faith, was born on Saturday, Dec. 22, 1666 at Patna Sahib to father Guru Tegh Bahadhur Patshah and Matta Gujri. On, Nov. 11, 1675, he assumed Guruship at Anandpur Sahib.

"Rahao Gur Gobind" Salok Mahala 9

Since early childhood, Guru Sahib was keen on weapons and their use. It is for this reason, that Guru Sahib became a scholar on weapons and mastered their usage, at a very early age. Guru Sahib continually emphasized scholarly works throughout his life. As a results, scholars around the world traveled long distances to participate and receive honors in his courts. He was always surrounded by renowned scholars. One of Guru Sahib's objective was to translate all scholarly works in Gurmukhi and commissioned several such translations. His vision of Sikh Kaum included a communion of scholars. In an attempt to turn Anandpur Sahib as the center of knowledge, Guru Sahib actively encouraged and sent Sikhs to study at various renowned institutions in the world.

To uplift the suppressed people, Guru Sahib instituted the tradition of Amrit during Vaisakhi diwan of sunmat 1756 at KeshGadh Sahib. Further he established a communion of Amritdharis (who received Amrit) and called it "Khalsa". Guru Sahib, himself was the sixth member of the Khalsa order. Witnessing the false practices and prevalent injustices, Guru Sahib propagated the message of Guru Nanak so vigorously that the neighboring hill rulers felt threatened. Without understanding either his message or appreciating his objectives, these rulers suddenly turned enemies and attacked on several occasions. Each time Guru Sahib had to fight for his defense.

In sunmat 1761, the Turk forces sought Guru Sahib to leave Anandpur Sahib under promises that were proven false through subsequent events. Once Guru Sahib was out of Anandpur Sahib, he was attacked and suffered heavy losses. The hard work of 52 poets, accumulated over the years, along with several commissioned translations was burned by the enemies of knowledge. However, Guru Sahib patiently but bravely faced the enemy and escaped into the neighboring forest. Here with his influence, Guru Sahib turned this ghost land into Saint land and the forest into civilized Malwa. With his message of patience and valor, Guru Sahib preached the importance of sacrifice and true knowledge.

He had four sons from Mata Jeeto and Sundari, namely, Baba Ajit Singh, Baba Zujar Singh, Baba Zorawar Singh, and Baba Fateh Singh Ji. All four sacrificed their lives to protect and further the growth of the institutional plant sown by Guru Sahib.

After bestowing Guruship to Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Sahib left this earth on Oct. 7, 1708, near the banks of Godawari river in Nanded, Guru Gobind Singh bravely fulfilled the responsibilities of Guruship and guided the Sikh Panth for 32 years, 10 months, and 26 days. He spent a total of 41 years, 9 months, and 15 days during his visit to this earth.

-Ref. Mahan Kosh

1710 Bahadur Shah received news, of Khalsa army's advances, at Sonepat.

1922 Babbar Amar Singh of Dhaliwal, Kapurthala, led the first Jatha of military pensioners furing Guru Ka Bagh morcha. He was arrested on July 22, 1923 and tried for his connection with Babbar Akali movement but was acquitted on Feb. 28, 1925.

1923 Dhanna Singh Behbalpuri, a Babbar Akali revolutionary, exploded a bomb and died while fighting the police at Mannanhana.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

October 26th

1619 Guru Hargobind was released along with 52 rajas from the Gwalior fort. Naik Hari Ram, Daroga, son of Naik Harbans Lal, Chandsbansi Jadav, Barhtian Kanawat, did deep mala (lighting small lamps all over the house) in honour of release of "bandi chhor" Guru Hargobind from imprisonment, on the date of Diwali. The term "bandi chhor", deliverer from prison, was first used for Guru Hargobind immediately after the release of 52 Rajput princes by Naik Hari Ram, Daroga of Gawalior fort, who had the first hand knowledge of the goings on leading to their release.

==> Guru HAR GOBIND PATSHAH (1595-1644) was born on Hadh 21 sunmat 1652 (June 14, 1595) to father Sri Guru Arjan Dev Patshah and mother Matta Ganga Ji, in village Vadhali. He received his religious education from Baba Budha Ji. Guru Sahib married three time:

1. Damodari Ji, daughter of Dalha resident Narayan Das on Bhadho 12 sunmat 1661;

2. Nanaki Ji, daughter of Bakala resident Hari Chand on Vaisakh 8 sunmat 1670;

3. Mahadevi Ji, daughter of Mandiyala resident Daya Ram on Sawan 11 sunmat 1672.

Guru Sahib had five sons (Baba Gurditta Ji, Suraj Mal, Aani Rai, Atal Rai, and Guru Teg Bahadhur Ji) and one daughter (Bhiro). On Jaeth 29 sunmat 1663 (May 25 1606), while ascended to Guru Gadhi, Guru Har Gobind Patshah changed the previous tradition of wearing "Saeli toppi" (cap) and replaced it with wearing "Kalgi". At the same time, he started the tradition of wearing two swords of "Miri Piri". Observing the prevalent conditions of the nation at that time, Guru Sahib started teaching self-protection skills along with the religious preaching.

Guru Sahib,

* in sunmat 1665, constructed the Takhat "Akal Bungha", in front of Sri Harmindar Sahib,

* in sunmat 1669, established Sri Guru Arjan Dev Sahib's Dehra in Lahore,

* from sunmat 1670-71 flourished the forest region of Daroli, etc. by residing there,

* in sunmat 1624, helped Mohan and Kalae in establishing Maehraj in Malwa,

* in sunmat 1624, constructed the Kolsar sarowar in Amritsar,

* in 1685, constructed "Bibaek Sar" for Bibaekae Sikhs.

When the Akbar's policy of assimilation changed to Jahagir's propaganda against the Sikhs, resulting in the martyrdom of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Patshah, Guru Har Gobind Patshah urged his followers to pick up weapons for their self-protection. He preached self-protection along with his religious message. Upon hearing this, Jahagir arrested and jailed Guru Sahib in Gawalior fort. However, instead of losing popularity, as expected by Jahagir, this action immensely increased the popularity and following of Guru Sahib. Many renowned muslims issued a call for Guru Sahib's release. As a result, Jahagir not only released Guru Sahib but actively sought to establish some level of friendship. However, when Shahjahan came to power in sunmat 1685, the government policy went strongly against the Sikhs. As a result, Guru Sahib fought the following four wars with the Mughal forces:

1. Amritsar war with General Sukhlis Khan in sunmat 1685.

2. Sri Gobindpur war with the ruler of Jallandar in sunmat 1687.

3. War of Gurusar near Maehraj with General KamarBaeg in sunmat 1688. After this war, Guru Sahib blessed Phul with sovereign rule that subsequently emerged as the Patiala rule.

4. Kartarpur war with Kalae Khan, Pandhae Khan, etc. in 1691. Subsequent to this war, Guru Sahib moved his resident to Kiratpur. However, Guru Sahib continued with his active propagation of Sikh faith. He traveled to Kashmir, PiliBheet, Baar, and Malwa and enlightened thousands on to the correct path. As a result many muslims came under the fold of Sikhs. He also encouraged Udasis to travel throughout the world to propagate Guru Nanak's message.

Guru Sahib left this materialistic world for heavenly abode on Chaet 7 sunmat 1701 (March 3, 1644) after serving as the sixth Guru of GurSikhism for a total of 37 years, 10 months, and 7 days. Guru Sahib's entire journey through this planet amounted to 48 years, 8 months, and 15 days. Guru Har Rai Patshah ascended to Guru Gadhi after Guru Har Gobind.

"Arjan Har Gobind Nu Simaro Sri Har Rai" (Chandhi 3)

-Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 265)

1831 Maharaja Dalip Singh met Lord William Benedict in Ropadh.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

October 27th

1676 A GurSikh flung two bricks at Aurangzeb. This was one of first acts of militancy at people's level after Guru Tegh Bahadhur's martyrdom. The attmpts by common man to punish the imperious ruler of Delhi blazed a new trail of committment to an open struggle against organised operession of the state.

1761 Sikhs gathered ion Amritsar for Diwali celebration and decided to attack Lahore. Khawaja Abed Khan was the then Governor of Lahore.

-Ref. "Amritsar Ji Dae Darshan Eshnan Utay 500 <banned word filter activated> Di Ethasak Directory," Satnam Singh Khalsa Advocate, pp 83

1969 Sardar Darshan Singh Pheruman died after fasting for 74 days. The objective of his fast was to seek Chandigarh for Punjab. Even after his death and numerous other sacrifices Punjab has not been given her capital city, Chandigarh which was explicitly constructed for her. During all these years a deliberate discrimination campaign against the Sikhs has been the cause of several agitations which resulted in destruction of the holiest of the holy shrine Sri Akal Takhat Sahib and the desecration of the holy Harmandir Sahib, besides the massacre of thousands of Sikhs in Punjab and elsewhere throughout India. This fast was undertaken to tell the world that a Sikh never falters after he has once taken a vow to accomplish a deed. Sant Fateh Singh and Master Tara Singh before him, had broken their vows.

1972 Sant Fateh Singh Ji passed away.

1995 Human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra was killed around 8 pm at the Chhabal police station of Amritsar district, India and his body was thrown into the Harike canal. This was disclosed by Kuldip Singh, special police officer and prime witness in the sensational Khalra disappearance case. The entire operation at the Chhabal police station where Khalra had been kept after being kidnapped by the police under orders from SSP Ajit Singh Sandhu, was supervised by Deputy Superintendent of Police Jaspal Singh. Ajit Singh Sandhu had later committed suicide. Jaswant Singh Khalra had been collecting information on extra-judicial killings by the poilce. He was kidnapped and kept under illegal police custody despite order to the contrary by the Spreme Court of India. Kuldip Singh narrated the scene before Khalra was killed. "He was made to stand, thrashed and pushed onto the ground. His legs were stretched apart, more than 180 degrees. Seven policemen kicked him in the abdomen and chest. Save me. Please give me some water, he cried. As I was about to fetch some water, I heard two shots. I ran back into the room and found him bleeding profusely. He had stopped breathing."

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

October 28th

1627 Jahangir died.

1688 Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji visited Jagadhri near Delhi.

1708 Emporer Bahadhur Shah confers a "khillat", robe of honour, on Guru Gobind Singh's family. Surprisingly, he had bestowed the same honor upon Jamshed Khan, Guru Gobind Singh's assassin, only two days earlier. By treating the assailant and the victim at par, Bahadhur Shah lend credence to the theory that he, apart from the Subedar of Sirhind, was involved in the surreptitious attack on Guru Sahib.

1978 The 18th All India Akali Dal Conference was held in Ludhiana. At this conference, the Anandpur Sahib resolution was adopted by the Akali Dal.

1979 Gurdwara at Merrut was sealed.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

October 29th

**** Janam Baba Nand Singh Ji Kalaera walae

1921 SGPC asked the Sarbrah of the Golden Temple to hand over the keys to its President. Instead, the Deputy commissioner of Amritsar seized them to forestall the SGPC's decision. This led to the popular agitation known as the "Key's affair".

1922 GurSikhs arrested during Guru Kae Bagh morcha were moved from Amritsar to Attock jail.

==> GURU KA BAGH gurudwara was under the control of Mahant Sundar Dass. He had agreed to serve under a committee of eleven members appointed by the SGPC on August 23, 1921, but the land remained under his possession. The Sikhs used to hew wood from the land for common kitchen and Mahant, under instigation from others, lodged a complaint against the Akalis. The government was on the outlook for opportunities to retrieve its prestige, lost in the Key's affait. On Aug. 9, 1922, five Akali Sewadars were arrested for cutting wood for Guru Ka Langar from Guru Ka Bagh. Subsequently a morcha was launched to seek the release of the five GurSikhs.

From Aug. 23 until Sept. 13, the government sided with the Mahant and ruthelessly lathi-charged the visiting Jathas. The violent use of force on the non-violent Akalis had great impact in and outside the Punjab. The Government brutality was condemned. The police beat the Akalis with iron-tipped rods and batons, till blodd began to flow and the brave GurSikhs fell unconcious. The insults heaped up on the Akalis were unbearable. They were given inhuman punishments and their religious symbols were desecrated and hair pulled out. The effect of all this on thousands of GurSikhs was tremendous, resulting in deep seated hatred against the British rulers and the Sikhs lost all faith in non-violence. The Babbar Akali movement took its final shape during this Morcha. The courage and persistent of Sikhs became world renouned during this period. From Sept. 13 until Nov. 17, Sikhs courted arrests. Finally, the government gave in and on Nov. 17, 1922, all Sikh demands were accepted and the agitation was successfully concluded. During this agitation 5605 Sikhs courted arrest including 35 members of the SGPC, over a dozen Sikhs accepted shahidi and thousands were injured.

-Ref. "Babbar Akali Movement, A Historical Survey," by Gurcharan Singh, Aman Publications, 1993.

1977 Prof. Sahib Singh, an eminent scholar of GurSikhism passed away.

==> Prof. SAHIB SINGH, a Sikh savant, teacher, writer, and interpreter of Guru Granth Sahib was born on 16 February, 1892 at village Fatewalli (now disctrict Sialkot in Pakistan) in a poor Hindu family. His name at birth was Nathu Ram. His father's name was Mr. Hira Nand who was a small shopkeeper in the village. At the age of four and a half years, his father sent him to Mr. Mian Hayat Shah to receive his early education. Mian Hayat Shah was the son of Hashim Shah, a well known Punjabi poet who was also the court poet of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Later the boy Nathu Shah went to the priamry school. He was an excellent student. He won scholarship when he finished middle school. He got married when he was hardly 13. He became a baptised Sikh under the influence of his relative and became Sahib Singh in September 1906. He finished his high school in 1909. After finishing his high school, he taught in a middle school for some time and later he worked for the post office. A little later he joined college and got his B.A. degree in 1915. He became a professor of Sanskrit and Gurbani at Guru Nanak Khalsa College Gujranwalla. Later he became a professor of Gurbani at Khalsa College Amritsar where he taught for more than 20 years.

Prof. Sahib Singh became a deputy secretary of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and was arrested in 1922 during Guru Ka Bagh Morcha. He was again arrested in 1923 during the Jaito Morcha.

In 1939, he rejoined Guru Nanak Khalsa College Gujranwalla. After retirement from that college, he rejoined Khalsa College Amritsar where he taught Punjabi and Gurbani. He got retirement from that college in 1952. He was appointed Principal of Shahid Sikh Missionary Collge, Amritsar. Later he also taught at Gurmat College Patiala.

In January 1971 he was awarded D. Litt. degree by Punjabi University Patiala.

Professor Sahib Singh had eight children: six sons and two daughters. One of his sons Sardar Daljeet Singh is a world famous eye surgeon. It is interesting to note that five of his six sons got married to five real sisters of a family in Jammu.

Prof. Sahib Singh developed Parkinson disease soon after he finished the last volume of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Darpan. He started writing that Darpan (Steek) on January 1, 1957 and finished the last volume in 1961. He approached SGPC and asked them to get Sri Guru Granth Sahib printed because he had no money. His request was denied. That project was picked up by Mr. Sohan Lal Khanna of Raj Publishers, Jalandhar and has been in great demand ever since. His Steek of Guru Granth Sahib is widely read and appreciated today by the Sikh scholars, preachers, and students of gurbani. It is a monumental work and considered one of the most authoritative interpretation of Gurbani. It explains many complex concepts and terms of Gurbani in simple Punjabi.

His other very important book "Gurbani Viakarn" (Gurbani Grammar) is also a milestone in explaining the language of Guru Granth Sahib.

Professor Sahib Singh wrote 30 books. Almost all of them are in Punjabi. A couple of them have been translated into English and Hindi. He died on October 29, 1977. It was the day of 400th anniversary of the city of Amritsar. He was a very simple man who saw utmost poverty in his early life. He was a Sikh scholar of the highest order.

He wrote the following books:

1. Gurbani Viakarn

2. Simran Dian Barkata(n)

3. Aad Bir Bare

4. Sadacharak Lekh

5. Sarbat Da Bhala

6. Dharam Te Sadachar

7. Burayee Da Takra

8. Sikh(u) Sidak Na Hare

9. Gurbani De Itihas Bare

10. Babania(n) Kahani(an)

11. Jiwan Birtant Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji

12. Guru Itihas Patshahi 2 to(n) 10

13. Jiwan Birtant Guru Gobind Singh Ji

14. Japuji Sahib Steek

15. Assa Di Vaar Steek

16. Sukhmani Sahib Steek

17. Jap(u) Sahib, Savvaye, Chuapyee Steek

18. Nitnem Steek

19. Ramkali Sad Steek

20. Bhatta(n) De Savvaye Steek

21. Satte Balwand Di // Steek

22. Sidh Gost(i) Steek

23. Salok Guru Angad Sahib Steek

24. Salok Te Shabad Farid Ji Steek

25. Salok Kabir Ji Steek

26. Bhagat-Bani Steek (Five Volumes)

27. Barahmah Tukhari te Majh Steek

28. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Darpan (Ten Volumes)

29. Meri Jiwan Kahani (Autobiography)

30. Japuji Sahib Steek (Hindi)

-Ref. "Meri Jiwan Kahani" by Prof. Sahib Singh

1982 The occasion of the anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak Sahib, a Sikh procession at Jullundur was attacked with a grenade by Hindus. The bomb wounded 10 Sikhs, four of them seriously. At that time there were 40 battalions of the C.R.P. but no action was taken because those who were accused were Hindus.

-Ref. THE SIKHS' STRUGGLE FOR SOVEREIGNTY, An Historical Perspective By Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer and Dr. Awatar Singh Sekhon By: A.T. Kerr Page 110-119

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

October 30th

1748 Meer Manu and Adina Begh seized Amritsar fort Ram Rehni on the observence day of Diwali, with 2,000 Sikh inside. The seize went on for 4 months. All the Sikhs inside died of hunger. Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgharia, compelled by the situation, killed his daughter.

-Ref. "Amritsar Ji Dae Darshan Eshnan Utay 500 <banned word filter activated> Di Ethasak Directory," Satnam Singh Khalsa Advocate, pp 80

1751 On the observance of Diwali, Diwan Kodha Mal got the kar-sewa of Amrisar Sarowar performed. After cleansing the structure, he got wells dug and equiped with well-gear to fill the sarowar with water.

-Ref. "Amritsar Ji Dae Darshan Eshnan Utay 500 <banned word filter activated> Di Ethasak Directory," Satnam Singh Khalsa Advocate, pp 80

1902 Chief Khalsa Diwan was established at Amritsar, with Bhai Sahib Arjan Singh, Chief of Bagarian, as President and Sunder Singh Majithia as Secretary. Its aims and objects were as follows:

1. Uplift of the Sikhs in all spheres - political, social, moral, and economic.

2. Propagation of the Guru's Divine World, carrying of his teachings to the farthest hamlet, and the spread of the fragrance of nam all around.

3. Removal of illiteracy and the spread of education among all, irrespective of caste and creed.

4. Protection of the political rights of the Sikhs and the redressal of their grivevances through constitutional means.

It paved the way for national revival by its impact on society, education, and religion. Though it toed the line of the rulers, yet it always tried to bring Sikh grievances to their notice. The contribution of the Chief Khalsa Diwan cannot be under estimated. It spearheaded the movement to open colleges and schools throughout the State. The Sikh Education Conference was its annual feature since 1908 and it was able to add every year one High School.

1902 Chief Khalsa Diwan launched at Lahore

1922 The Panja Sahib incident took place. During the "Restitution Movement" for restoring the Sikh Gurudwaras to the Khalsa Panth, several GurSikhs sacrificed their lives and many were arrested. Sikh Sangat learned of a train carrying some of the arrested GurSikhs. Several petitions were made to appropriate authority for permission to serve "Guru Ka Langar" to the passengers. However, all requests were turned down. Therefore, on this day, Karam Singh and Paratap Singh lay over the railway tracks at Hassan Abdal (Panja Sahib). They were subsequently run over. However, the train stopped and the GurSikh agitators who were being taken to the Attock Jail were served meals. This incident marks a unique example of sacrifice for the sake of faith in the twentieth century.

1928 Simon Commission visited Lahore.

1972 Fateh Singh could not brave the insult of isolation and died.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

October 31st

1752 Numerous atrocities committed against Sikh women and childern under orders of Meer Manu. However, the Sikhs weren't frightened. They kept saying

"Mannu Sadi Datari Asi Manu Day Soay

Jio Jio Sanu Wadahda Asi Dun Sawae Hoay"

Sardar Chattar Singh, Sardar Jay Singh got the Sikh women freed from the Lahore jails. Sikhs were always in chardikala.

-Ref. "Amritsar Ji Dae Darshan Eshnan Utay 500 <banned word filter activated> Di Ethasak Directory," Satnam Singh Khalsa Advocate, pp 81

1758 Sikhs gathered for Diwali observance at Amrisar and bathed in the Sarowar

"Moh Marnae Ka Chau Hae Marao Ta Har Kae Duyar ||"

Only the Sikhs of Punjab faced the treacherous Mughal rulers, rescue Hindu women and free them from the cluthes of the Mughals. However, no Hindu-Pandir sacrificed his/her life either for their nation, caste, idol, temple, or their women's honor.

-Ref. "Amritsar Ji Dae Darshan Eshnan Utay 500 <banned word filter activated> Di Ethasak Directory," Satnam Singh Khalsa Advocate, pp 82

1922 The Babbar Akalis attend "Charan Ki Chhinj" at Achalpur.

1984 Sardar Beant Singh and Satwant Singh gunned down Indira Gandhi.

Sardar Beant Singh gunned down Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, to avenge the destruction of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib and desecration of holy Harmandir Sahib, the holy Sarowar, and for burning rare records and buildings of the complex. Indian Army was sent by her to attack the holy complex. However, Sardar Beant Singh was gunned down on the spot. Sardar Satwant Singh and Sardar Kehar Singh were co-accused with Sardar Beant Singh for gunning down Indira Gandhi. They were hanged until death on Jan. 6, 1989. Sikh Panth holds Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India, responsible for the desecration of Harmandir Sahib in 1984's operation Bluestar. While the Sikh Nation is in debt to these great Martyr who laid his life for a great cause and honor of Khalsa Panth.

1984 Black November-1984 started (1984).

Oct 31 through Nov 7 thousands of Sikhs were killed in butchery by the Hindus with the help of ministers, police, and army. The international leadership witnessed the savagery from a few hundred meters. "Who are Guilty" named 16 senior Congress Party leaders, 13 Police officials and 198 others among the major killers of the Sikhs. Rajiv Gandhi himself was behind the carnage. Later he justified by saying: whenever a big tree falls the earth is shaken" (later, Rajiv himself met the fate suitable to a terrorist).

-Ref. THE SIKHS' STRUGGLE FOR SOVEREIGNTY, An Historical Perspective By Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer and Dr. Awatar Singh Sekhon By: A.T. Kerr Page 110-119

WITCHES NIGHT: October 31 by Khushwant Singh

A strange coincidence that had not occurred to me before did while I was turning over the pages of an illustrated book, Feasts and Festivals of England.

I found that October 31 is known to the western world as Halloween - the night of the witches. Witches, ghosts and goblins are free to infest the darkness, reads the text.

My mind goes back eleven years to the October 31 of 1984. By a tragic coincidence, we too had our witches night following the assassination of Mrs. Gandhi. Not ghosts, not goblins were about to infest the darkness, but beasts in human form took the lives of thousands of innocent people to avenge one dastardly murder.

In Europe and America, they light bonfires to scare evil spirits. In Delhi and other cities of northern India, evil men made a bonfire of the living by dousing them with kerosene and setting them aflame. For us, Halloween was also like the massacre of St. Bartholomews Eve, when thousands of Protestants were murdered in cold blood by Catholics.

What happened to the perpetrators of our Halloween massacre? - Nothing. It took over a year for a very reluctant government to appoint a commission of inquiry. The presiding judge knew his job: he made some pious statements and appointed two other commissions. They also knew their jobs. They made a few noised, ordered action against a few individuals who were foolish enough to let themselves be photographed while leading mobs on their murderous missions. We can now assume that nothing will be done to the murderers - least of all by the Congress party government because most of the killers belonged to this party.

I have often written - and write again- that crime unpunished breed criminals. I have little doubt in my mind that the chief cause of the sporadic senseless violence in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh is due to the governments criminal inability to punish the perpetrators of the pogrom of October - November 1984.

And why, one may ask, are men charged with serious crimes like an attempt to kill the Prime Minister and hijack a plane not brought to trial after so many years in detention? Is this the way to run the government of a country like India?