Shaheedi of Bhai Satwant Singh and Bhai Kehar Singh
/On January 6th we honour the Shaheedi of Bhai Satwant Singh and Bhai Kehar Singh.
Often indian mainstream propaganda is perpetuated in Sikh circles, which simplifies the story of these Mahaan Shaheed (great martyrs) and robs their jeevani (life story) of its richness. Bhai Beant Singh and Bhai Satwant Singh are painted as having acted spontaneously, in a reactionary fit of rage, in assassinating the then indian prime minister, Indira Gandhi.
In reality having decided upon the action several months before, they spent their time developing a relationship with Guru, building up their rehit (Sikh discipline), through daily darshan (connection) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, until they felt ready to take Amrit. They even took the risk of travelling to Panjab, to visit Sri Darbar Sahib, and do an Ardas in front of the Akaal Takhat for agaya (permission) and strength at the feet of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji for their mission.
The mainstreamed narrative states that Bhai Kehar Singh was not involved in the assassination plan and was simply executed for being related to Bhai Beant Singh. However Shaheed Bhai Kehar Singh was the one who not only inspired Bhai Beant Singh and Bhai Satwant Singh to take this revolutionary action, but it was under his guidance and tutelage that these police officers and soldiers were prepared and transformed into the two lions of Guru Gobind Singh we eulogise today. Bhai Kehar Singh perhaps knew most profoundly what this journey would entail, and this spirit is reflected throughout his imprisonment and refusal to comply with the indian authorities or be bent to their will. In his last meeting with his wife Bhai Kehar Singh told Bibi Jasbir Kaur that he’s ready for death: “he said it is God's will and he was ready for death, that Sikhs have sacrificed in the past. This is a continuation of our past.
In his last visit with his family Bhai Satwant Singh’s mother says: “he touched my feet and said “I am ready for martyrdom, I will die with my head held high, I will never let down my community,'' Mata Pyar Kaur said after meeting for 15 minutes with her son.
Shaheed Kehar Singh and Bibi Jasbir Kaur (akal chalana 7th oct 2017)
A huge disservice is done in the memory of these Qaumi Shaheeds, where their Kurbaani (sacrifice) is not seen in the correct context, and they are portrayed as being disconnected from the uprising in Panjab, and unconnected with the Khalistan Sangarsh. Not only are they Shaheeds of the Khalistan Sangarsh, but their actions paved the way for the current armed struggle. While the June 1984 Battle of Amritsar, laid the foundations for Khalistan, on 31st October 1984, Shaheed Bhai Beant Singh and Shaheed Bhai Satwant Singh launched the first Vaar (strike), on behalf of the Sikh Qaum.
It must be remembered that it was not until April 1986 that the January 1986 Sarbat Khalsa announcement of Khalistan was ratified and officially declared by the Khalsa Panth. The Sarbat Khalsa recognised the Kurbaani of Shaheed Bhai Beant Singh (who was Shaheed on 31st October 1984 whereas Bhai Satwant Singh and Bhai Kehar Singh attained Shaheedi on 6th January 1989) and gave him the honour of being a Qaumi Shaheed. While India had been waging an undeclared war on Panjab and the Sikhs since the partition of Panjab, resulting in countless Shaheedia, the three Shaheed are remembered fondly because in their first action, they eliminated the head of enemy. The irony of having taken out their Queen in our first move, is more so given that those who call themselves “indian” pride themselves of having invented Chaturanga (Chess).
A few details in their Jeevan illustrate the deeper meaning and depth to their actions.
The actions taken by these Shaheed were not personal, they were acting as the Khalsa on behalf of the entire Sikh Qaum, and were very conscious of their actions, and how it would reflect on the Qaum. They acted for example according to the rules of engagement of the Khalsa, not attacking anyone else other than the enemy, they refused to escape even when the security forces had fled from the scene in fear. They wanted to make a political statement, their actions were considered, and they wanted to take full responsibility, give a full account, lest the assassination be swept up in conspiracy theory and myth.
Being stationed at the Prime Minister’s residence, they had plenty of opportunities to complete their mission any day of the week. However, their mission was not simply to assassinate the Prime Minister, it was a huge step for the Chardi Kala of the Sikh Qaum, and hence they wanted to have the blessing of the Guru. Taking extra time to prepare themselves as Gursikhs, meant that they would remain steadfast before and after, in the face of torture and the inevitable hardships on their families. They would not falter and maintain the dignity of the Sikh Qaum until the last breath.
ਕਿਆ ਜਾਣਾ ਕਿਵ ਮਰਹਗੇ ਕੈਸਾ ਮਰਣਾ ਹੋਇ ॥
Who can know how they will die, what death will be like.
ਜੇ ਕਰਿ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਮਨਹੁ ਨ ਵੀਸਰੈ ਤਾ ਸਹਿਲਾ ਮਰਣਾ ਹੋਇ ॥
If I do not forget the Sovereign Creator from my mind, then my death will be easy.
ਮਰਣੈ ਤੇ ਜਗਤੁ ਡਰੈ ਜੀਵਿਆ ਲੋੜੈ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਇ ॥
The world is terrified of death; everyone longs to live.
ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਜੀਵਤੁ ਮਰੈ ਹੁਕਮੈ ਬੂਝੈ ਸੋਇ ॥
By Guru's Grace, one who dies while yet alive, understands.
ਨਾਨਕ ਐਸੀ ਮਰਨੀ ਜੋ ਮਰੈ ਤਾ ਸਦ ਜੀਵਣੁ ਹੋਇ ॥੨॥
O Nanak, one who dies such a death, lives forever. ||2||
Bhai Satwant Singh was shot several times, he was tortured, and imprisoned for over 4 years in solitary confinement. In contrast to the dignity the Shaheed carried themselves with, the indian state purposefully left a bullet lodged in Bhai Satwant Singh’s spine to cause him anguish. In Chardi Kala, Bhai Satwant Singh used the difficulty sleeping caused by the bullet, to immerse himself deeper into Gurbani. Tyaar Bar Tyaar, as he was, he consumed several kilos of almonds a week (his only request to his family), his jailers were shocked to see someone on death row doing hundreds of press ups and squats while reciting Gurbani.
He mentioned the bullet was the only thing causing him pain to his father during a prison visit, and Bapu Trilok Singh, casually responded “Oh son, this is out of my hands, only your Dasam Pitha can help you”. To the family’s astonishment, Bhai Satwant Singh took this literally and upon Ardaas to Guru Gobind Singh miraculously the bullet dislodged from his spine, and he was able to cut it out of his back himself.
Justice R. S. Sodhi, then an advocate, represented Bhai Satwant Singh and will never forget their last meeting, on the day of the execution. A sombre Sodhi asked Bhai Satwant Singh how he was feeling, Shaheed Bhai Satwant Singhs who by now was completely merged with Gurbani, fittingly recited this Shabad as his last words:
ਕਬੀਰ ਮੇਰਾ ਮੁਝ ਮਹਿ ਕਿਛੁ ਨਹੀ ਜੋ ਕਿਛੁ ਹੈ ਸੋ ਤੇਰਾ ॥
Says Kabeer, nothing is mine within myself. Whatever there is, is Yours, O Creator.
ਤੇਰਾ ਤੁਝ ਕਉ ਸਉਪਤੇ ਕਿਆ ਲਾਗੈ ਮੇਰਾ ॥੨੦੩॥
If I surrender to You what is already Yours, what does it cost me? ||203||
Seeing that the Indian State and its entire machinery was unable to break this beloved pair from the Guru, seeing such Gursikh walking in Chardi Kala towards their Shaheedi, gave their families immense strength. Led by Bapu Trilok Singh the family welcomed the Shaheedi of their beloved, standing outside Tihar Jail defiantly doing Jakaaray.
An unfortunate reality of this entire episode of our golden history is that even those these two Soorme (brave Sikh warriors) were imprisoned for 4 years before they were hanged very little is known about their time in prison. This has been a subject of research for NSYF for a number of years and with the agaya of the Guru and the Ardaasa of the Sangat we will be able to present a comprehensive account in the near future. If you have any primary source information that you would like to share please email info@nsyf.org.uk
