Shaheed Bhai Jugraj Singh Toofan

[lowest of the low singhni]

vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ki fateh

Shaheed Bhai Jugraj Singh Toofan

Shaheed Bhai Jugraj Singh Jee was born at village Cheema Kudi, District Batala, Punjab - in the house of a virtuous and hardworking Singh, Sardar Mohinder Singh and his mother was Mata Harbans Kaur jee, he was born in 1971. Bhai Jugraj Singh jee was an only son and had 5 sisters. He was only 6 years old when he took Amrit and he regularly meditated, prayed and read about Sikh History from this young age. He was softly spoken and well-mannered.

Jugraj Singh was 14-15 years of age in when Indira Gandhi ordered the army attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib in 1984. The destruction of Sri Harmandir Sahib left Jugraj Singh saddened and his religious emotions came to the boiling point, he decided to fight against the injustice being carried out against Sikh's in their own country and he dedicated his life to the Sikh cause from 1984 to April 1990. Bhai Jugraj Singh used his weapons to protect people and punish those who implicated atrocites on Sikh faith. At a young age he spent some time in Nabha security jail with Shaheed Bhai Manbir Singh Chaheru and Shaheed Major Baldev Singh Ghuman. Singh's in jail would tell Jugraj Singh that he is too young and as the only son of their parents he should stay at home and take care of the family instead of jumping in the Sikh fight against the state. Howeve, Bhai Sahib always said that he wanted to serve the Sikh panth and he did not care if that cost him his life. He once in Nabha jail also narrated a incident about how he used his index finger under his shirt to mimic a pistol and receive a ride, as no one was stopping on the road side to pick him up, to reach a important meeting with other Singhs. All the Singhs in Nabha jail were impressed by Bhai Sahib's dedication to panth.

In 1987 Jugraj Singh came in contact with Chief of Khalistan Libration Force, Bhai Avatar Singh Bramha and participated in Sikh struggle under his command. Jugraj Singh participated in planning and carrying out the assasination of butcher police officer Gobind Ram in Jalandhar, at Punjab Armed Police Headquarters (PAP). After this incident Punjab Police was franticlly looking to eliminate Bhai Sahib. (I will post more about the punishment of Gobind Ram in the next few days.)

Sikh nation is a nation of martyrs. Guru Gobind Singh Ji created the Khalsa army out of Shaheeds and only those are Shaheeds whose Shaheedi is accepted by the Guru himself. Bhai Jugraj Singh Ji never raised his weapon on innocent members of the public and he never participated in looting innocent people. He fought for the nation with a clear conscious and he gave his life for Sikh nation and attained Shaheedi in accordance to his Guru.

Bhai Sahib was a great man of valor who was not only loved by Sikh population but also by Hindus. Many Hindu villagers left their homes to safety during militancy days, but in the area where Bhai Jugraj Singh was active, many Hindu families decided to return to their native homes as they felt safe and secure in presence of Jugraj Singh who was fair and protective of all men belonging to different religions. This is an example in itself and a show of high character of a true Sikh.

On early morning of 8th April 1990, at village Mari Butchian near Sri Hargobindpur police and border security forces surrounded the house where Bhai Sahib was staying for the night and the encounter started. On this day Bhai Sahib was sick and a trusted person went to the city to fetch some medicine for him. When Jugraj Singh started to use his AK 94 gun, he found out that the pin of his gun is missing. At that time Bhai Sahib realized that the person who went to city for medicine was a traitor and he took out the pin form gun and then sent the police on him. All five Singhs got out of the home to save the innocent lives and ran into the field of sugarcane. Three Singh's went to one side while Jugraj Singh and Bakshish Singh went the other way. During this gun battle Jugraj Singh got hit by a bullet in his leg and was unable to move, so he asked Bakshish Singh to leave him but Bakshish Singh refused to leave him alone. Bhai Bakshish Singh lifted Jugraj Singh on his shoulders and tried to escape on a tractor but tractor got stuck in the field and they were both hit by police bullets. Jugraj Singh died on the tractor while Bakshish Singh hid behind some houses and kept fighting and later died of bullet injuries. Other three Singh's including Bhai Baljit Singh and Bhai Piara Singh were able to escape from the gun battle.

Almost one thousand Sikhs and Hindus surrounded the police station at Sri Hargobindpur to receive Bhai Sahib's dead body. On the day of his cremation it is estimated that almost four lakh (400,000) people were gathered to pay him the last tribute which is again an example of itself in the Sikh history. Baba Takhur Singh of Damdami Taksal, Major Baldev Singh Ghuman, Simranjit Singh Mann, Bibi Rajinder Kaur Bulara, Bibi Bimal Kaur Khalsa, Justice Ajit Singh Bains paid homage to the great heroes during the antim ardas of Bhai Sahib. On this day the president of Sri Hargobindpur's BJP party Mr. Darshan Lal Chopra said that Jugraj Singh was their shield and protected the Hindus and today we feel alone after he is gone.

There are three awards that are given out for Sikh brave men. Surbir Yodha Award, Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Award and Shri Dashmesh Chakar Award. Bhai Fauja Singh of Akhand Kirtan Jatha received Surbir Yodha award on Vaisakhi of 1978, on 4th June 1984 Sant Bhindranwale, Bhai Amrik Singh, and General Shubeg Singh received Baba Banda Singh Bahadar award, on 31st October 1984 Bhai Beant Singh Ji received Baba Banda Singh Bahadar award and Satwant Singh received Surbir Yodha award. On 8th April 1990 for the first time Bhai Jugraj Singh Ji received Sri Dashmesh Chakar award, which is the highest award given to a Sikh martyr.

vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ki fateh

[lowest of the low singhni]

vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ki fateh

Blessed by God Almighty

Everyone knows that the age of 14-15 years, is one of minimal experiences/knowledge and great teenage passions. For a teenage boy who is a born in an average family to have the great thoughts of Panthic Seva and Shaheedi, can only occur with the great grace of God. Aside from the families of the Gurus for one moment, we will find very few examples of such an honourable and exemplary Shaheed. Bhai Sahib's love for Sikhi, selflessness and steadfastness can only be referred to as the blessings of the Almighty. Bhai Sahib is an exemplary role model of the modern era, whom fought and died in the battlefield fighting for the freedoms of all and everyone, his life gives us much inspiration and the power to persevere. Bhai Sahib was referred to as 'Baba jee' by people of his locality due to him being of high morality and a truthful character. Bhai Sahib was very benevolent and merciful, he personally used to fund the weddings of the poor and spend thousand of Rupees on their weddings.

Bhai Sahib's Contribution to the Panth

Bhai Sahib's Shaheedi teaches all Sikh youth - to follow his exemplary traits, if we put the success of the movement first and make those who steal, murder or harass the innocent our targets, and if we stay within the limits of Sikhi when doing this, then all people of the world will support the Sikh cause. The dislike of the Khalistan movement will be eradicated and we will gain success in a shorter and quicker period.

Sikhs are only to fight against tyranny and oppressors, no Sikh warrior should instigate fear into anyone. Sikhs are to make themselves successful by earning the respect and love of all, they should be shining examples of 'Akaal Purkh Kee Fauj' as was Bhai Jugraj Singh jee.

vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ki fateh