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This new page in Sikh History was created in Amritsar, on Vaisakhi day, April 13, 1978.
Over 1 million Sikh pilgrims had assembled at Amritsar on the
Vaisakhi day of 1978. At the same time, the Nirankari-called
Sect of bohemians from Delhi and other parts of the Indian
sub-continent held a procession and a conference at Amritsar.
During their Conference the speakers made venomous attacks on
Sikhism, Sikh Gurus, Sikh scriptures, etc. A few Sikhs, under
the command of Bhai Fauja Singh, marched from the Darbar Sahib to
protest against this fake Nirankari procession in which Gurbachan
Singh Nirankari had seated himself on a higher position than
Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the prevalent Guru
of GurSikhs, is always respectfully seated at the highest platform
in any congregation. Anyone seated on a platform higher than that
of Sri Guru Granth Sahib is considered disrespectful and sacrilegious
among Guru Khalsa Panth.
Further, the Nirankaris were hurling grave and
malicious insults against the GurSikhism religion, beliefs, and
sentiments. Oblivious to the GurSikhs, the Nirankaris had other
plans, including a para-military platoon armed with lethal
weapons, guns, revolvers, acid-filled bottles and mechanical
propellants for shooting poison-tipped arrows, all well positioned
behind a row of trucks. The GurSikh protestors were persuaded
by the police officers on duty into believing that steps were being
taken to stop further provocations of GurSikhism sentiments.
Then the voice of Gurbachan Singh, Nirankari chief, was heard
over the sound system, saying "these sikhs think they can stop us
from freely carrying out our program. Let them know today, how
mistaken they are. Time has come to be active for those, who
have come here for this job". Suddenly the para-military platoon
briskly advanced toward the GurSikh protestors. The police on
duty hurled tear-gas bombs against the unarmed GurSikhs,
converting them into sitting ducks for their hunters. Even some
Hindu police officials like O.D. Joshi joined the Nirankaris'
attacks on the protesting GurSikhs. When it was all over 13 lay
dead and over 50 were seriously injured. The batch of protesting
GurSikhs were from Akhand Kirtani Jatha and Bhindranwala Jatha, led
by Bhai Fauja Singh, included the following 13 who layed their
lives:
Bhai Amrik Singh
Bhai Avtar Singh
Bhai Darshan Singh
Bhai Dharamvir Singh
Bhai Fauja Singh
Bhai Gurcharan Singh
Bhai Gurdial Singh
Bhai Harbhajan Singh
Bhai Hari Singh
Bhai Kewal Singh
Bhai Piara Singh
Bhai Raghbir Singh
Bhai Ranbir Singh
The irony of the Sikh situation was this that Punjab was being
ruled by a so-called Sikh Party; Amritsar was one of the holiest
cities of the Sikhs; one minister, Mr Jiwan Singh was also present
in the city; the city was the headquarters of the Akali Party and
the Sikh Parliament (SGPC) and the Nirankaris had long been
attacking the Sikh religion and this was known in the Government.
Furthermore all the killers of the Sikhs escaped from the Punjab
safely, even with the help of officials of the Punjab Government
(including Niranjan Singh, an official of the Punjab and,
allegedly, the Chief Minister of the Punjab).
Throughout the world the Sikhs exhibited their fury. However,
the Akali ministers of Punjab province bowed before the Central
(Hindu) Government and refused to ban the activities of this
gang of bohemians. Meanwhile these ministers addressed various
Sikh congregations and spoke against the Nirankaris so that the
Sikh masses should not become furious against them for their
indifferent (or pro-Nirankari) attitude.
Thus this became the starting point of the new phase
of the struggle of the Sikh nation. The lead was given by
the Sikh Youth under the guidance of the Sikh intelligentsia.
They had to fight various platforms: the Hindus, the Communists
and some of the pseudo-Akalis, who loved their office more than
their nation.
This amritsar massacre was one of the most significant incidents
of this century for GurSikhs. It led to the murder of Lala Jagat
Narain, the rise of the Khalistan demand, attack on the Golden Temple
and Sri Akal Takhat, and enormous destruction of lives and
properties in Punjab, Delhi, and other locals of GurSikh
population. It should be noted that although Gurbachan Singh's
movement call themselves Nirankaris, they do not have anything
in common with the original Nirankari movement that made
enormous sacrifices and significant contributions for GurPanth's
reform.
On October 6, 1978, a Hukumnama bearing the seal of Sri Akal
Takhat (by the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat, Amritsar) was issued,
calling upon GurSikhs all over the world to socially boycott
these fake "Nirankaris" and not allow their faith and creed to
grow or flourish in the society. This Hukumnama was prepared
by a committee comprising of the following:
Giani Gurdit Singh
Giani Lal Singh
Giani Partap Singh
Giani Sadhu Singh Bhaura
Sardar Kapur Singh
Sardar Parkash Singh
Sardar Satbir Singh
Through this Hukumnama, all GurSikhs were asked to stop "roti
beti di sanjh", food and marital relations, with the fake
Nirankaris. Gurbachan Singh was subsequently killed by the
GurSikhs on Apr. 24, 1980. However, the repercussion of the
initial event continue to persist.
[Courtesy : Bhai Baldev Singh Ji]
[Also See] 1978 Saka by Burning Punjab
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