Sikh Panth, Sikh Prisoners, And Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa

[InderjitS]

bari afsos dhi gal hai ke koi vi jathedar, jathebandhi, sant samaj, jaan leader nahi Bhai Sahib noo nahi milan gey. ihnaa naalo taa Harbhajan Maan change nikle. Sikhhaa di zameer hai ja nahi?

ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਬਖਸ਼ ਸਿੰਘ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਨੂੰ ਡਾਕਟਰਾਂ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਜੇਕਰ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਕੁੱਝ ਨਾ ਖਾਧਾ ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਕੁੱਝ ਦਿਨ ਹੀ ਹੋਰ ਜਿੰਦਾ ਰਹਿ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ ਇੱਕ ਸਿੱਖ ਹੋਣ ਦੇ ਨਾਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਕਿ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਪੂਰੀ ਹੋਵੇ ਪਰ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਪੰਥਕ ਜਜਬਾ ਅਤੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਤਾ ਦੇਖ ਕੇ ਦਿਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਆ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਇੱਕ ਸਧਾਰਨ ਸਿੱਖ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਕਿ ਭਾਵੁਕ ਹੈ ਰਾਜਨੀਤੀ ਦੀ ਭੇਂਟ ਚੜ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ ਮੈਂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਅੱਗੇ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਕਰਦਾਂ ਕਿ ਮੇਰੀ ਉਮਰ ਵੀ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਲੱਗ ਜਾਵੇ ।

ਜੱਥੇਦਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਤਿਆਰ ਰਹਿਣ ਕੌਮ ਨੂੰ ਜਵਾਬ ਦੇਣ ਲਈ

ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਜੰਤਰ ਮੰਤਰ ਤੋਂ ਉਠਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਹੁਣ ਵਿਸ਼ਨੂੰ ਗਾਰਡਨ ਦਿੱਲੀ ਸਥਿੱਤ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਭਾਈ ਲਾਲੋ ਜੀ ਤੋਂ ਵੀ ਕੱਢਿਆ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ ਕਿਉਂ ਕਿ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਕਮੇਟੀ ਨੇ ਯੂ ਟਰਨ ਲੈ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ ਰਾਤ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਲਿਖਤੀ ਰੂਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਇੱਥੇ ਬੈਠ ਕੇ ਸਾਂਤਮਈ ਸੰਘਰਸ਼ ਜਾਰੀ ਰੱਖ ਸਕਦੇ ਹੋ ਪਰ ਹੁਣ ਕਹਿ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ 7. ਫਰਵਰੀ ਨੂੰ ਵੋਟਾਂ ਹਨ ਜਿਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਧਾਰਾ 144. ਲਗਾਈ ਗਈ ਹੈ ਪਰ ਇੱਥੇ ਸੰਘਰਸ਼ ਗੁਰੂ ਘਰ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਹੈ ਦੱਸੋ ਗੁਰੂ ਘਰ ਅੰਦਰ ਕਿਹੜੀ 144 ਲੱਗਦੀ ਹੈ ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਾਸਨ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਵੀ ਇਹ ਜਗ੍ਹਾ ਖਾਲੀ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਕਿਹਾ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ
ਖਾਲਸਾ ਜੀ ਇਸ ਸਥਿੱਤੀ ਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਦਿਉ ਕਿਉਂ ਕਿ ਜੇਕਰ ਅਸੀਂ ਇਹ ਜਗ੍ਹਾ ਖਾਲੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦੇ ਤਾਂ ਗਿਰਫਤਾਰੀ ਦੇਣੀ ਪਵੇਗੀ ਪਰ ਜੇਕਰ ਗਿਰਫਤਾਰ ਹੋਏ ਤਾਂ ਸੰਘਰਸ਼ ਠੰਡਾ ਪੈ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ ਅਤੇ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਬਖਸ਼ ਸਿੰਘ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਨੂੰ ਹਸਪਤਾਲ ਤੋਂ ਕਢਵਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਵੀ ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਾਸਨ ਤੇ ਦਬਾਅ ਨਹੀਂ ਪਾ ਸਕਾਂਗੇ

by ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਗੁਰੀ ਹਾਂਸ (9781610329)

[InderjitS]

first Delhi sarkar used Obama's visit at the end of Jan as an excuse to remove the Singhs from jantar mantar saying they posed a security risk now they are using the voting on 7 Feb as a lame justification. obviously the other protesters at jantar mantar were not Sikh so were untouched and still remain.

[Singh, Mahan]

Human Rights -Activist’s Supporters Evicted from Protest Site in New Delhi

Source: https://medium.com/@gurmeetkaur/61-days-hungry-for-human-rights-activists-supporters-evicted-from-protest-site-in-new-delhi-afec033cd3f0

61 Days Hungry for Human Rights -Activist’s Supporters Evicted from Protest Site in New Delhi

by Gurmeet Kaur

As the hospitalized human rights activist, Gurbaksh Singh began his 61st day of hunger to free the unjustly detained prisoners in India, his supporters have taken the protest to New Delhi after being forced out from their 60 day camp in the northern state of Haryana.

A few hours after they submitted their paperwork necessary to hold the protest at Jantar Mantar, the official New Delhi venue designated to hold protests and accommodate up to 5000 people, the Delhi Police detained all of (less than a dozen) Gurbaksh Singh’s supporters at a Police Station.

After hours of detention they were asked to leave the protest site or face arrests. They were told that they will not be allowed to camp anywhere in New Delhi in the wake of the U.S. President’s scheduled visit to India on Jan 26th. One of the supporters was on the hunger strike for the third day as this happened.

Desperate for a venue, the team asked for Sikh organizations throughout the city to help. Late in the night they were invited to move their camp to a local Gurdwara in West Delhi.

However, less than 24 hours later they are being asked to leave, now from their new home. The team was told that all Sikh organizations in New Delhi are being pressured to not support them.

The team spokesperson Gurpreet Singh questioned, “As a minority in India, we have no rights, not even to a peaceful protest. We have not been allowed to protest at designated protest sites, we have been forced out of our religious places, in all three states, where do we go?”

In the meanwhile protests around the world continue. Yesterday, hundreds of Australian activists gathered in front of the Canberra Indian Embassy. Ottawa Sikhs completed day 22 of chain hunger strike outside Indian embassy in solidarity with Gurbaksh Singh and his movement. Support marches throughout the Indian state of Punjab are being carried out every day.

Gurbaksh Singh is demanding the release of political prisoners who have been held for many years beyond the completion of their minimum sentences. You can read more about his movement here.

(Read about Delhi Police’s advertisement to invite people to protest at Jantar Mantar here.)

Please subscribe to get daily updates from this movement: https://medium.com/@gurmeetkaur

[hsingh8963]

There are many attempts to stop the morcha. How do you guys feel about essentially a second Dharm Yudh Morcha. Taking to the streets of dehli and Punjab. Whatever city really. Giving court arrests. Us people out side of india can give support of Maya... Stuff like that. I'm talking big scale. Our jathedar are obviously badals chamcha so it will certainly be tough. I will post the se kineya chapters when sant Harman Singh had the court arrests.

[lsingh]

We need a firm commitment from the Sikh Jathebandhis that they will support Sikh causes practically.In the past Sikh leaders took oaths at the Akal Takht to support Morchas, it is difficult but not impossible to do this under Indian control. Even the British allowed meetings at the Akal Takht on Sikh issues!

At the moment they seem obsessed only with the calander.

[InderjitS]

Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa is under ''medical detention'' of Government, and Police/Commandos guard the Hospital premises. Bhai Sahib's medical condition is normal as per reports, but due to NO INTAKE of food, his health is going to deteroirate in coming days.

One of our singhs today again got a chance to receive his message.
It is -
'' I am under custody of Government. I am a virtual prisoner at the moment, but my Hunger Strike continues. Personally all i can do is continue ...my Hungerstrike. I REQUEST Sangat to realize their responsibility and do whatever they can do for this Sangharsh. Gurbaksh Singh is under detention, but you all are free. Do not let this Morcha end. ''

Now it is upto us, those who are free outside, who claim to be part of this Sangharsh, who claim to feel Pain of Bandi Singhs, it is upto us to decide future course of action. Guru Sahib is our Leader.
It is not just responsibility of Bhai Gurbaksh Singh to struggle for Bandi Singhs. It is ours too. Or are we here just to raise slogans when Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa sits on fast?

Government wants the Morcha to end.
Agents of Government are active on Social media to tarnish Bhai Sahib's Image and confuse, divide and break Sangat.
Panthaks, who claim to lead the Panth are waiting for Gurbaksh Singh's downfall so that they continue their routine Jaikaare-Naare.

We need to wake up and do something , before this final hungerstrike morcha ends in defeat of Panth.

Sangat Ji, looking at the situation in Delhi, Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa Ji has once again done a benti to sangat that

'' I am under detention, but Sangat Ji You are free, realize your responsibility and take forward this morcha ''

...

ਸੰਗਤ ਜੀ, ਗੁਰਬਖਸ਼ ਸਿੰਘ ਕੈਦ ਵਿਚ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਤਾਂ ਆਜ਼ਾਦ ਹੋ। ਆਪਣਾ ਫਰਜ਼ ਪਛਾਣੋ ਅਤੇ ਸੰਘਰਸ਼ ਨੂੰ ਅੱਗੇ ਤੋਰੋ।

On one side Government's puppets have started slandering Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa Ji and his struggle on the social media to divide the sangat and finish the morcha, whereas on the other side, Government itself using its Police power is not letting Singhs start a peacful morcha anywhere.

When morcha was at Lakhnaur sahib, people said come to Delhi, more people will support the morcha being in the capital city. When singhs reached Delhi, no one was able to even provide them a place to start the morcha. Now, people are saying come to Punjab to start the morcha, sangat will support the singhs and the morcha... Sangat Ji, by this time, it should be clear to all of us that unless thousands of sikhs do not come on the roads to support this morcha, the morcha will not be able to survive for long... all it needs is a Huge Support from the Sangat, hence its all in the Hands of the Sangat. Changing places and running around will not help at all.

If Police arrests Singhs today, they will try and continue the morcha in Jail, but in jail anything can happen. Please take care of Singhs, yourself and the morcha. This Hard time will end soon...

If you feel the pain of the Bandi Singhs, if you care for Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa Ji, if you care for those singhs struggling in Delhi to keep the morcha alive, Please stand with them and raise your voice.

Latest Update
Our Singhs have got away from the police in Delhi and have reached at Sri Takht Sahib
Location and further more details to follow shortly

Photo we posted yesterday was probably was the last photo of Bhai Gurbaksh Singh to come out in near future, as Police has banned taking Phones while going to meet Bhai Sahib.
Also, a special permission from SHO is needed to meet Bhai Sahib else no one can meet him. He is now under virtual arrest

We Support Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa Team

[InderjitS]

I wrote to my local MP in the UK before Christmas and chased yesterday, still not received any response. Maybe GOI have everyone wrapped around their evil finger!!

[Pakandi baba]

I wrote to my local MP in the UK before Christmas and chased yesterday, still not received any response. Maybe GOI have everyone wrapped around their evil finger!!

Excuse my ignorance but the Singh who's taken over the hunger strike, is he still proceeding in Laknaur Sahib or?

[hsingh8963]

The Decision To Court Arrest In The Religious Crusade

On October 2

nd

1982 when Baba Ji had a little free time from his

daily nitnem and simran, he called me (Sant Seva Singh) to his room

and said, “We have decided to court arrest in this crusade. So, please

go to Sri Amritsar and obtain a date on which to court arrest.”

444

I was astonished at Baba Ji’s decision because, all of a sudden he

decided to court arrest, when until now he had not mentioned this at all.

Now I was to go to Amritsar to obtain details regarding the arrest dates.

So I requested of Baba Ji, “Sir today we will gather all the near and

dear Singh’s and consult them, then we should proceed as you order.”

Baba Ji said, “You may consult anybody you like, I have taken my

decision.”

By the evening, seven or eight Singh’s were called and informed

about Baba Ji’s programme. All were surprised to learn of Baba Ji’s

decision. After a long discussion, we collectively requested Baba Ji,

“Sir, your health is not well enough to go to jail. We will go in a jatha on

your behalf.”

Baba Ji said, “I have surrendered myself completely: mind, body,

soul and wealth to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Now the panth of our Guru

needs my body, so it will be entrusted to the Khalsa panth. Whosoever

wants to come, can accompany me.” Nobody dared to answer in the

face of his firm determination.

The Date Of The Arrest

The next day S. Sarwan Singh and I reached Sri Amritsar Sahib

along with three other Singh’s at about 10 am. We bathed in the holy

lake, bowed at Sri Harmandir Sahib. Then we went to Guru Nanak

Niwas to meet Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale who was lodged

there, conveying Baba Ji’s message to him. Hearing Baba Ji’s

programme, he fell silent and then said, “You should have told the great

Saint to send a jatha on his behalf, as his age is advanced. In his

advanced age, he will suffer physically in jail. His blessings are more

than sufficient.”

We told Khalsa Ji how Baba Ji was adamant to participate in the

crusade. Hearing this he asked to see Sant Longowal Ji in order to

obtain a date for arrest. Khalsa Ji asked us to convey his request to

Baba Ji so as not to go to jail due his advanced old age.

Khalsa Ji sent his personal assistant Bhai Rachpal Singh and Bhai

Ram Singh with us to see Sant Harchand Singh Longowal. He too was

surprised to hear all this. He said, “On our behalf, please request the

great Saint with folded hands, that he send a jatha with his blessings but

not to go himself. This is very urgent.”

We replied, “Baba Ji has taken a firm decision to court arrest but

we will still convey your concerns to him.” October 19

th

1982 was the

445

date that was fixed when Baba Ji and the jatha could court arrest.

After obtaining a due date, we arrived back at Gurdwara Rampur Khera

in the evening and told Baba Ji in detail the concerns expressed by

Khalsa Ji and Sant Longowal Ji. Baba Ji however, remained adamant

and firm in his resolve.

Within a few days, a programme was chalked out. The sangat

was informed through newspapers and pamphlets that on 18 October

1982, a jatha under the leadership of Baba Ji would set off to court

arrest in the religious crusade. The sangat of the area was contacted

by any means possible. There was great zeal in the sangat to participate

under the leadership of Baba Ji and court arrest.

On the political side, the Chief Minster of Punjab at that time was

S Darbara Singh. He was a follower of Baba Ji and he came twice

with his wife to Gurdwara Rampur Khera in order to convince Baba Ji

not to participate in the religious crusade. Baba Ji did not agree and

replied, “Instead of trying to stop us, it would be better if you tell the

Delhi government about the genuine and just demands of the Singh’s

and compel the government to accept those demands. We still have ten

days before our arrest date. If your government accedes to these

demands, the whole of the country will benefit. If the talks fail we are

firm in our decision.”

The local Akali leader S Jasjit Singh Thiara of Ahran village,

Hoshiarpur was also the general secretary of the Akali Dal. He was

due to court arrest on the 18 October. He sought permission from Sant

Longowal and decided to court arrest the following day as part of Baba

Ji’s jatha.

Departure Of Jatha From The Gurdwara

By 17

th

October 1982, all preparations were complete. Baba Ji

withdrew whatever money was in the bank, which came to about RS

25,000. He wanted to donate this money to the crusade. By the evening,

the sangat started to congregate in the gurdwara. By the morning,

almost 50 trucks, 5 buses, 15 cars and jeeps had assembled. On October

18

th

at about 10 am, an Ardas was said by Baba Ji and sangat in front of

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji seeking the blessings of the almighty. Baba Ji

led this huge procession to Sri Amritsar Sahib. As devotees came to

know of the procession route, they had erected beautiful arches and

gates along the way to greet the procession. Many devotees made

donations along the way for the holy cause.

446

Tea stalls, refreshments and food was arranged on the way for

the sangat. Baba Ji had such grace and radiance on his face that it

cannot be described in words. Those who saw can only know of it.

Exactly six years earlier, on October 17

th

Baba Ji, in the company of

Sant Kartar Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale, passed on this very route, in

connection with processions arranged at that time to awaken the masses

to the sacrifices of Great Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Then the slogan,

“Religion cannot survive without the sacrifice of one’s head” resounded

in the air and the same atmosphere took shape. The air resounded with

the same slogan and now Baba Ji was practically showing the masses

by giving his mind, body and wealth in sacrifice for the sanctity of the

Khalsa panth. After having stopped at many places, the procession

reached Gurdwara Central town, Jalandhar, at about 2pm. The sangat

was served langar and tea with great esteem and fondness. In the

evening, this procession reached Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar and

rested the night in the feet of Sri Guru Ramdas Sahib Ji. The love and

affection with which the jatha was received by the sangat on the way

was beyond description. Besides the donations collected from the

villages, passers by who witnessed the procession, gave all the money

they had with joyous but tearful eyes, to attendants of the procession so

that their money could be used in helping the crusade.

Baba Ji was lodged for the night at Akal rest house. The attendants

counted donations, which amounted to about Rs 50,000. Together with

the Rs 25,000 Baba Ji had withdrawn from the bank, the sum of Rs

75,000 was tied up in a bundle ready to be donated to the religious

crusade.

On 19

th

October, early in the morning, the sangat bathed in the

sarovar at Sri Harmandir Sahib Ji. After some light refreshments, the

sangat then congregated at Teja Singh Samundri hall. Baba Ji had

aching knees because of his advanced age, so he sat downstairs in a

rest room. As soon as Sant Longowal Ji heard about Baba Ji’s arrival,

he came down and requested, “Baba Ji your age is advanced and it

does not allow you to go to jail. So, it would be better for you to send

the jatha on your behalf.”

Baba Ji listened patiently and replied, “With Guru’s inspiration we

have done Ardas and decided to court arrest in the crusade. It is now

better if you do Ardas at the feet of the Great Guru to bless the panth

with speedy victory in this mission.” Taking leave from him, Baba Ji

went to Guru Nanak Niwas. When Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa

447

Bhindranwale heard of his arrival, he too came down to greet him. He

wished Gur-Fateh respectfully and choked with emotion said, “Baba Ji

it does not look nice that the son is sitting on the side and the father is

going to jail.” Baba Ji embraced Khalsa Ji and said, “You are entrusted

with some other duty, and you must complete that.” After these words,

a short while later, he came out of Akal rest house. At noon, Baba Ji

had langar and after resting a while he offered parshad at Sri Harmandir

Sahib. He was then bestowed with a Siropao (highest honour in the

sikh religion) from sri Akal Takhat Sahib, where a huge congregation

had gathered. Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa and Sant Longowal Ji had

already arrived there with their jathas already. At the end of the session,

Ardas was performed. The jatha consisted of 1500 men and women.

Jathedar Harcharan Singh Mohalon (Singh Sahib of Takhat Keshgarh

Sahib) had arrived especially to see Baba Ji off. After lectures from

many eminent Sikh personalities and politicians, Baba Ji stood up, thanked

the sangat and offered the bag of Rs 75,000 to Sant Longowal and Sant

Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa.

The jatha then started its march in a unique way to court arrest.

No other slogan was raised on this day except “Bole so Nihal, Sat Sri

Akal” and only Jaap of “Satnam, Waheguru” was heard from the jatha

as it headed off towards the police station. People stood along the

roads and on their rooftops to witness the unique procession, marching

under the patronage of Sant Baba Harnam Singh Ji. People watched

with curiosity the great Saint, who was heading this huge procession

without any political slogans or affiliations. Only the resounding chant

of “Satnam, Waheguru” echoed in the air. At this spectacle, those who

had come to see off the jatha got ready to court arrest too. They forgot

to go back to their houses. As Guru Ji says...

Long and yearn for the next world

And turn not your face backward

aagaahaa koo

taraa

gh pi

chhaa fayr na muhad

rhaa.

(Dakhnay 5

th

Guru, page 1096)

They thought, if Baba Ji can court arrest in his old age and with

feeble health, why can’t we younger and stronger ones do so too?

The jatha reached the police station in the evening. The government

employees began to prepare warrants for everyone. At about 9 pm the

Singh’s took langar inside the police station, which had been brought

over from the langar of Sri Guru Ram Das Ji. The jatha was in the

police station whilst Baba Ji was in a small room with four or five otherSingh’s, where he recited

Rehras

and took langar. The whole process

of arrest was completed by 10pm. The jathedar’s (main attendants) of

the procession told Baba Ji that all details would be completed soon and

the jatha will leave for Bathinda jail. Baba Ji replied, “They can take us

wherever they like, please ask the sangat to board the buses, continue

to recite Benati Chaupai and simran of Satnam - Waheguru en route to

Bathinda jail. No one should indulge in idle gossiping.”

Baba Ji’s message was conveyed to the sangat. The sangat

boarded the buses and sat reciting “Satnam Waheguru.” Baba Ji and I

took a seat on the buses as well. As it was hot, I was using a hand held

fan to cool Baba Ji down. At this time, S Jasjit Singh Thiara and

Bageecha Singh Tanooli came up and asked Baba Ji to change to another

bus, because they had just seen the bus driver mixing opium with some

tobacco and chewing it. They were worried the driver might cause an

accident. Baba Ji replied, “Do not delay and lets set off so that we may

reach our destination before morning nitnem. Secondly, do not worry

about the driver; his benefit is to drive this bus for us.”

Amidst thunderous chants of “Bole so Nihal Sat Sri Akal” the

sangat started from Amritsar passing via Taran Taran, Hari ke Pattan,

Moga and arriving at the town of Bhai Bhagta. Here, the procession

stopped at a roadblock with oil drums and wooden logs. Everywhere

one looked, you could only see policemen of CRPF (Central Reserve

Police Force). Baba Ji asked the reason for this stoppage. I told him

we did not know the reason for the stoppage but said we were besieged

by a swarm of police. Baba Ji asked me to enquire as to what they

wanted. By this time, some Singh’s, accompanied by police officers,

came up to Baba Ji and said, “We have no place in the jail to

accommodate you, so we cannot take you in for arrest. If you want to

go back then these buses will take you wherever you want to, but if you

do not return then vacate them immediately.”

Baba Ji listened to everything carefully and said, “We have done

Ardas before the Great Guru in the presence of the entire sangat, so

we will not vacate these buses until you take us to jail. This is our firm

decision.” Those officers went back. Baba Ji deputed some Singh’s,

telling them not to vacate the buses and asked the sangat to continue

simran of Satnam - Waheguru. Some of the Singh’s climbed on top of

the buses and shouted slogans loudly.

Tension

By now, because of the delay, it was nearly 4am. The sangat

unanimously decided not to vacate the buses, even if the police used

force. News spread like wild fire in neighbouring villages that the jatha

that had set off from Amritsar to court arrest and on march to Bathinda

jail, had been stopped by the police and tension was mounting at the

checkpoint. The echo of slogans being chanted was audible in the

surrounding villages.

Utmost Devotion Of The People Of That Area

As the area of Malwa is generally known for its Sikh minded

people, the Great Guru inspired them in such a way, that they descended

upon the parked buses, with containers of milk and tea for the sangat.

Some Singh’s brought bread from Kesar Singh Walla (nearby town) to

serve the sangat of the jatha. Even the milkmen, who were on their

milk round taking milk into cities, stopped and poured their milk load into

that of the langar. By 5.30am, the entire sangat had had their fill of

bread, tea and milk.

Middle School Ground Turns Into A Bus Stand

As the day was dawning, Baba Ji called some leading Singh’s to

enquire about and assess the situation. The Singh’s told Baba Ji that

the officers were stubborn and adamant that the buses be vacated or

everyone had to go back. After a short consultation, it was decided

collectively (this decision making is called gurmata) that all the buses be

taken off the road and parked in the premises of the middle school

nearby. Whilst the buses were in the sangat’s possession, kirtan and

katha diwan would be laid out for the sangat. After this gurmata, the

drivers of the front buses were informed of Baba Ji’s decision and the

rest of the bus drivers were asked to follow the convoy into the grounds

of the school. The police suddenly stood alert since the jatha was on

the march again. Instead, they saw the reverse. The Singh’s chanting

slogans began to park the buses one by one in the school campus. The

police tried to halt them but the triple wall of Singh’s of the sangat firmly

blocked their way.

Prominent Personalities Of The Area Come To Baba Ji

By this time, a large number of local people joined the jatha in the

school compound. Prominent local dignitaries came to see Baba Ji and

affirmed, “Baba Ji do not worry. The whole area and the sangat are

behind you. Whatever you order, we shall fulfil your demands in a short

time. Langar will be cooked in the nearby villages, brought here and

served to the sangat within a couple of hours. Just give the order if you

need anything and we will do our best to get it.”

Baba Ji, in consultation with jathedar’s of the procession, decided

that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji should be brought from a neighbouring

village. An Akhand path would be started, as soon as possible, in one of

the school classrooms, after it was cleaned thoroughly. In the school

ground, a stage was to be erected from which katha, kirtan and speeches

could be made to those who had gathered. In this way, Baba Ji thought

that gurmat preaching would be disseminated and prevent idle chitchat

or gossip. Baba Ji asked the local dignitaries to furnish the school

classrooms with necessary articles to commence the Akhand path. The

sangat was informed of this plan as well. Hearing the plan, the

congregation and local dignitaries were overjoyed and thought

themselves lucky to be of service to the jatha. Some of the Singh’s

went to the village to bring Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, whilst others started

to clear and decorate the classrooms. In one corner of the school,

where the caretaker lived, was used to allow Baba Ji to rest.

Beginning Of Akhand Path

Some of the sangat got involved in cleaning and decorating the

school. In due time some other devotees from the neighbouring villages

arrived with Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji; The sangat welcomed Guru Ji

amid chants of “Bole so Nihal” and slogans. The sangat arranged for

loud speakers and amplifiers to broadcast the kirtan and recital of

prayers. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was enthroned in the large classroom

and the sangat was informed of the programme. The Ardas to begin

the recital of Akhand path was performed at 10.30 am. When the

names of volunteers to recite prayers were collected, it was found that

there were far more volunteers than were required. Baba Ji was

informed of the extra people who wished to recite prayers and he advised

an adjoining room to be opened up, where, continuous recitation of Benati

Chaupai and Mool mantar could be started. In a short while, another

room was cleaned up and decorated for the purpose of prayer recital.

The sangat from neighbouring villages began to arrive, bringing

langar, chapattis, vegetables and pulses. Containers of milk were brought

in plenty. Other devotees brought trailer loads of dry firewood for fuel,

large cauldrons, pans, and utensils for cooking, along with any other

items required for the langar. Milk was heated up in these cauldrons

and served to the sangat. It would not be an exaggeration to say that so

plentiful was the milk that to quench their thirst milk instead of water

was consumed.

The children started to arrive at the school by now, only to find

that their school had been transformed overnight. Their classrooms

were being used for an Akhand path, whilst their playground was full of

rows of sangat. The children were wonderstruck at how the appearance

of their school had been transformed during the night. They were

overjoyed of course, that they had a holiday from school quite

unexpectedly.

The cooking materials, food and utensils brought by the villagers

were now stored in a separate room because all commodities were in

surplus. For five days at a stretch, no langar needed to be cooked

because local people had brought enough langar already. Witness how

the true Guru had caused different foods and unseen help to arrive

from all directions to help the sangat.

Divan Held In Playground

At noon, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was enthroned in the playground,

under a canopy. Many dhadi Singh’s (bards) and kirtan groups came

and performed their hymns, giving discourses from the stage that had

been erected. Straw was placed on the floor so that the sangat could

sit comfortably. Everyone was amazed to witness at how nice the

arrangement of food, shelter and help was. What was more amazing

was the fact that it had all materialised without effort, by some unseen

divine force. Every task or job was completed without hitch or flaw.

The jatha stayed here for six days, few if any drank water, mostly

people drank milk. The more milk the sangat consumed, the more

freely it flowed from outside. At night, security persons, formed from

local men and boys, armed with sticks, swords and kirpans, guarded the

jatha. Thus Singh’s of the jatha, rested carefree at night.After the Akhand path had started, the sangat went to nearby tube wells to bathe. Baba Ji retired to a separate room to rest for a

while. Some of the devotees were attending the diwan (assembly for

prayer) whilst others were resting on the soft straw that was laid out on

the floor. I took my towel and clothes and headed to the tube well to

have a bath. I was nearing the tube well when I glimpsed the driver of

the bus who had taken opium earlier. He was about to wash his clothes

when, he got up, walked over, and said, ”Dear brother, I want to ask

you something, would you agree to my request?” I replied, “Speak

freely dear brother. What is it we can do for you”? The driver replied,

”I want to get baptised! I asked you separately because the other bus

drivers know my life style and will only mock my decision. There is not

a drug or intoxicant that I have not tried. I am a drunkard and class A

drug abuser. My family is fed up with my addiction and me. They have

tried all means to try to stop me from my addiction to alcohol and opium.

I am now helpless. I don’t know what has happened to me but in the

company of this great Saint, my mind has changed and now I loathe

intoxicants.”

I was silent and listened to the driver, wonderstruck. It was hard

to believe what he was saying. Seeing me silent he said, ”I must become

a baptised Singh. Please write my name down. I’m Surinder Singh. I

am from village Dharde near Baba Bakala (Amritsar). “

When he made his request a second time, I replied, ”You know

that the government has stopped our buses in this unknown area. We

do not know anyone in the area. How can we arrange a baptismal

ceremony?”

The driver replied, ”I know an Akhand path has been initiated and

that there are two days before the prayer recital will finish. You are

very close to Baba Ji, please convey my request to him at least.”

I replied,” I will pass on your request to Baba Ji. Whatever he

says, I will inform you of his decision this evening.” Hearing this response,

Surinder Singh went to take a bath.

This is what Im thinking!

[hsingh8963]

Singhs in Canada are being offered bribes To stop supporting the morcha.