I have come so far away from home, after movement that was unplanned, yet 'home', is all I think about, whilst the birds fly to the sun in the morning breeze.
But then, there is a change in the wind, and the atmosphere itself changes, as the past, what was once present vanishes and only a slight, shadowy remnant remains...
I walk these new streets in silence occupied by my own thoughts as my heart looks to the past, my mind to the present and my soul to the future...
The Past is not Dead
'It has since come to light that the purpose of Mr. Jagjit Singh CHOHAN's visit was of a political nature relating to his wish to set up an independent state in the Punjab. It will be seen from the attached report in the Wolverhampton newspaper "Express and Star" dated 6.12.71 that Mr. Jagjit Singh CHOHAN was seeking support for his policy from the Sikh community in this country; he received a cold reception from his community. According to the report he described himself as an exile from India. It is believed that he left this country on 7.12.71 for the United States of America, but doubtless he will wish to return to this country in the near future. His political interests are being reported to Box 500 by the Special Branch.' - P. Larkin (Immigration Officer) 10/12/1971
‘North of the River Sutlej. the clan Patiala Family had lost its importance, and the war of 1849, and the subsequent annexation of Panjab broke for ever the power of the last great Sidhu family of Attari, one member of which, Raja Sher Singh commanded the Sikh troops at Chillianwala' - Lepel Griffin
The dust in the battlefield of Gujrat had not yet settled when the struggle for freedom was re-launched afresh by Bhai Maharaj Singh who made a formidable bid to liberate the Sikh Domains from the iron clutches of the British. As Sardar Chattar Singh Attari & Sardar Sher Singh Attari surrendered to the British, Maharaj Singh refused to bow down, he continued his rebellion until he was caught and then sent into exile. Henry Lawrence writes that Bhai Maharaj Singh was ‘the only leader of note who did not lay down his arms to Sir Walter Gilberts at Rawalpindi’ (12/03/1849) following the surrender of the Sikh forces to the East India Company.
When all seemed lost, Maharaj Singh guarded the banner of the Sikh Nation with his life and stated ‘It would be better if you (fellow Sikh leaders) fight and obtain martyrdom rather than live a wretched life of a slave.’
'It is well known that in certain circles that the influence of this man (Bhai Maharaj Singh) is unbounded against the Sikh Chieftains and the whole population of the Panjab, and there is little doubt but that he has generally been the prime mover in all the conspiracies and revolts which have lately caused so much of the Panjab expense and led to much blood shed.' - The Times
Following the Battle of Gujrat (1849), the Sikhs lost more than just their empire, little did the Sikhs know that their physical identity, their conscience, but most importantly their economic and political power they once held would be lost for many, many years to come...
Following the Battle and the subsequent surrender of rebel Sikh forces, many of the soldiers, and especially the 'grim old Khalsa' of Ranjit's time, exclaimed as they threw their arms down upon the heap: "This day Ranjit Singh has died".
'Annexation was the final blow to Khalsa prestige, crumbling as it was through a decade of civil strife.' – Rajiv .A. Kapur (Sikh Separatism & Politics of Faith)
Maharaja Duleep Singh made the long voyage to the British Isles in 1854, to live the life of an exile. He took with him the dream of Sikh ‘interdependence’ and ‘independence’, though this thought would only avail itself following dialogue with his mother, Maharani Jind Kaur in 1861. Duleep Singh expired in 1893 having failed to reach the beloved Panjab he called home. Bhai Mohar Singh in Ropar declared the end of the British Raj and proclaimed Khalsa Raj, as a result, he along with two others were executed. Baba Ram Singh, a former member of the Khalsa Army devised a plan to ‘revive the glorious tradition of the Khalsa’ by setting up para-military organisations in order to free their homeland from the British.
The Kuka movement of which Baba Ram Singh led, left a significant stamp on the outlook of the people of the Panjab, that figures like Baba Sohan Singh Bhakna of the Gadar Party were inspired by the Kukas to continue the war for independence.
Panjab has always been the sword-arm and spear-head of many revolutionary and democratic movements, all of which seem to have been efficient and often changed the status quo.
The 1950/60s, for Sikhs, was a time of great turmoil. In 1955, the Police entered the Sri Darbar Sahib Complex in Sri Amritsar, Panjab. In this attack, all religious activities were halted, Sikhs were insulted, beaten and then arrested. Three thousand Sikhs were arrested at that time and during this same year, a ban was imposed on the raising of slogans of the Punjabi Suba at public places.
The Panjabi Suba Movement as I see it, was a request from the little brother (Panjab) to the big brother (India). This request was only fulfilled nineteen years after its inception, after a long series of struggle. When the Sikhs had realised they had been betrayed following ‘independence’ (1947), Dr Jagjit Singh Chohan, a former Finance Minister in the ‘Panjab’ State Government established the first Khalistan Government in Exile in the city of Royal Leamington Spa, England in 1972.
The Lost Doctor
When I first came across the name 'Dr Jagjit Singh Chohan,' I was researching the Anglo Sikh War period with emphasis on the personality named, General Sham Singh Ji Attari.
'Sham Singh and Ranjodh Singh led the forces. Sham Singh Attariwala clad in white silks and riding a white steed, the grey bearded hero went into the field of action, pledged to victory or death. He rallied the ranks depleted by traitorous desertions. His courage inspired the Sikhs to make a determined bid to save the day, but the odds were against them. Sham Singh fell fighting in the foremost ranks. So did his dauntless comrades.' - Joseph Davey Cunningham
R. Bosworth Smith writes that Sham Singh Attari ‘among the faithless faithfully only found clothed in white and devoting himself to death.’ And it was this symbolism of white that I linked with Dr Jagjit Singh and his ever flowing white beard.
Where as General Sham Singh was trying to prevent the downfall of the Khalsa Raj, Dr Jagjit Singh was trying to once more establish a vision/version of the rule of the Khalsa Punth through the implementation of the Republic of Khalistan.
'A proper appreciation leaves no doubt that even according to the admissions of responsible adversaries, the Sikhs defeated the British in each and every engagement.' - Sardar Gurtej Singh IAS
Gur Ratanpal Singh describes Dr Jagjit Singh's character as ‘energetic, witty, friendly' and was possessed of original ideas. Sardar Seva Singh Lalli who was assigned the role of Vice President of the Republic of Khalistan Government in Exile in 1984 describes Dr Jagjit Singh as very strange, whereby he was the friend of friends but also the enemy of enemies. John Marshall, a conservative MEP, though of Dr Chohan as simply a ‘nice old chap.’
At this crucial injunction, I knew there was something special about Dr Jagjit Singh, something I couldn’t quite fathom at the time. But after meeting with associates of the Doctor, searching archives and reading books, I was in a position to relay my findings on this forgotten man of iron.
On November 31st, 2019, I delivered a research lecture titled ‘The Political History of Dr Jagjit Singh Chohan and his role in the Sikh Homeland Movement' at the prestigious Kings College London. My research lecture consisted primarily of photographs, news clippings and speeches of Dr Jagjit Singh’s alongside my analysis of events and narrative.
During my presentation at Kings College, my presentation aroused much interest from attendees, many of whom were students who wished to know more about Dr Jagjit Singh. In the 20 minute allocated period, there was only so much I could include, but to reinforce some of my findings, I was happy to distribute two editions of the Khalistan Bulletin published by the Aston University Khalistan Society and edited by myself. Copies of this magazine were also submitted to the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Library, Southall.
The fire alarm rang twice in two intervals whilst I was delivering my lecture, and interestingly enough, the fire alarm rang in resonance when two different segments of Dr Jagjit Singh’s speech were aired.
‘Our final concept is nothing less than independent, sovereign state of Khalistan, the Republic of Khalistan’. This bold statement ringed from the lecture theatre at Kings College, and once more were the bold words of Dr Jagjit Singh heard in Central London, a place he called home for 17 years after the Indian State revoked his Passport.
At the beginning of my search for the lost Doctor, I had no idea what I would come across/be exposed to and my words will never do enough justice to his character, nor is it possible that my tongue will ever be able to praise this man enough, but here it goes...
I asked him how they were going to create Khalistan if the Indian Government refused, as is most likely to even discuss this matter. "Well we lived in the jungles for a hundred years, fighting for our freedom. Just because we're in London now, it doesn't mean we cannot do this again." - Dr Jagjit Singh (Sikh Struggle for Autonomy - D.S.Sahota)
'History continues, history is made. But history, that is not remembered, is history that perishes. Those brave hearts who give their time and precious breaths for the Chardikala of the Sikh Nation, it is our duty to remember all of those figures.' - Sardar Seva Singh Lalli ( Republic of Khalistan Government in Exile)
The Doctor
‘In 1947, I had an accident. I was in Amritsar when a group of terrorists threw a hand grenade at a mob of people. The grenade fell amongst a group of small children and a few women. I was going from my college to the hostel at the time. To save the children from this disaster I threw my bicycle to the side and jumped towards the grenade in order to diffuse or throw it away. The grenade exploded while it was in my hand. I fell unconscious and returned to consciousness some two weeks later. My hand had been blown apart, and I had suffered other injuries. I was very weak because I had lost a great deal of blood. My father took leave from the army and accompanied me back to our village where he personally administered my treatment.’ - Dr Jagjit Singh
The Doctor's Early Political History
In 1963, Dr Jagjit Singh defeated veteran Akali Leader, Giani Kartar Singh and was elected to the Vidhan Sabha from the Dauya constituency in district Hoshiarpur. Giani Kartar Singh, a former minister later filed an appeal against this.
Dr Jagjit Singh was elected as the Deputy Speaker of the Panjab Assembly from March 27th , 1967 to November 26th, 1967 in Justice Gurnam Singh’s Government.
On the 27th, Dr Sahib became the Finance Minister in the Government headed by Lachhman Singh Gill. Dr Ji’s term as Finance Minister ended on 26th August 1968. During these 9 months or so, Dr Ji ensured that investment was being directed towards the Panjab.
On January 14th 1968, Lachhman Singh had announced that the Government of Panjab would institute a ‘save culture grant’ to provide financial help and other amenities to writers, poets, artists, singers, journalists and intellectuals facing unfavourable economic conditions.
On June 6th 1968, Dr Sahib had met with the film advisory committee with the idea of setting up a film industry corporation with 5-7 crores being invested on behalf of the Panjab Government in the Ropar district. Unfortunately this project fell through following Lachhman Singh’s fall from power (Aug 1968). The Panjab Government had also planned to set up a tractor factory and a plant to manufacture small helicopters for agricultural use.
On June 20th 1968, at a press conference Dr Jagjit Singh ‘hinted at the possibility of suing’ congress leaders for maligning the Gill ministry. Dr Sahib described the congress leaders as ‘power hungry’ and were jealous of the present Government’s achievements.
Dr Jagjit Singh writes that in the 9 months that the Gill Ministry existed in, the government had spent 4x more on the creation and upkeep of tarmac roads compared to how much the Congress party had invested in the last 20 years. He further stated that the Congress Government did not want the people of the Panjab to prosper and this is why the Congress Party withdrew its support to the Gill Ministry.
On February 11th 1969, Dr Jagjit Singh lost his seat to Dr. Amir Singh of the Congress Party in the Tanda constituency located in the Hoshiarpur district.
Events between the calendar year 1969-71 are discussed in the below article.
The Doctors First Exile (1971-77)
Dr Jagjit Singh had previously visited England between 1966-67 and had worked as a Temporary Registered Medical Practitioner for about one year, during this time he obtained medical qualifications at the Royal College of Hygiene, Oxford Circus, London W1. Dr Ji then visited England in 1968 on a purely social visit to visit his relatives.
His third visit to England was in the summer of 1971, he had left India in July and before reaching England, he had visited Iran, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Italy, France, America, Canada, Pakistan, Germany, travelling by air for most of these trips.
Dr Jagjit Singh was interviewed on his return to the United Kingdom by P. Larkin, an immigration officer. Larkin asked Dr Jagjit Singh what he would be doing in England, to which he replied that it was purely a social visit, that he and his brother (Sardar Harbhajan Singh Chohan) were close, and that he had innumerable friends and relatives whom he wished to visit. On arrival at Heathrow Airport, Dr Jagjit Singh was carrying £56 which was in his suitcase and 19 U.S Dollars (approx £8).
Larkin asked Dr Jagjit Singh whether he had access to further funds, to which Dr Ji replied that he was a wealthy man who owned his own Hospital and had a farm valued at, at least 2 million rupees (£70,000 approx). Dr Ji tells Larkin that he had two assistant doctors who were in charge of the running of the hospital and that his wife Sardarni Charanjit Kaur Chohan and older sister were looking after his farming interests.
It was on October 21st, 1971, that Dr Ji departed for Pakistan. Dr Ji explained that he was a very religious man and had gone to Pakistan to attend a religious function and visit some Sikh Temples in Pakistan. More is discussed on this in the below article.
'If Master Tara Singh had not been elbowed out of the leadership of the Sikhs and if the Guru had given him a dozen more years of life, I have no doubt in my mind that he would have guided the Sikhs to their destiny of an autonomous people within the Union of India, thus forming a distinct member of the International community. But that was not to be and now during the last five years or so even the name of the Panth and the aims of Sikh politics have been altogether forgotten and repudiated by those who have assumed illicit leadership of the Sikhs.' - Sirdar Kapur Singh
And so, Dr Chohan not only had family here in the United Kingdom but he also found companions namely Sardar Charan S. Panchi & Sardar Bakshish Singh Giani, Sardar Davinder Singh Parmar & Sardar Sadhu Singh Dhillon of Maidenhead, a former driver for the veteran Sikh leader, Master Tara Singh Ji.
Dr Jagjit Singh states that he had known these figures since the ‘heyday of Master Tara Singh’ and from my research, many roads lead back to him. Sardar Joginder Singh Bal, a close confidant of Jagjit Singh informs me that Sardar Sadhu Singh Dhillon was a driver of Master Tara Singh and similarly Sardar Davinder Singh Parmar, who arrived in Britain in 1954 was also closely associated with Master Ji.
On September 29th 1972, Giani Bakshish Singh received a letter from Gurminder S. Deol of the All Canada Sikh Federation. Gurminder Singh in his letter states that he had received the publication ‘Raj Karega Khalsa’ and articles on Khalistan. He further stated that he ‘feels most encouraged’ by the efforts in taking up a cause which many Sikhs shun and later assured full support and agreement to the cause.
The Khalistan Council vis-a-vis the Republic of Khalistan Government in Exile was formed in Royal Leamington Spa at the Boys' Club Hall, on May 20th, 1972. This was the second convention of the Sikh Homeland Front. The meeting was hosted by the International Council of Sikhs. During this meeting under the chair of Piara Singh Sandhu, the Times of India reports that Dr Jagjit Singh demanded the formation of a ‘socialist democratic Sikh homeland’.
He later stated that the Sikhs had been treated as ‘harijans’ in the past 25 years and therefore a Sikh state in exile was formed. Readers will find it interesting to note that it in November 1886, Sardar Thakur Singh Sandhanwalia established a de-facto government on behalf of Maharaja Duleep Singh.
The Coventry Evening Telegraph on May 23rd, 1972 reports that 200 ‘delegates from all over England attended’ and further reported that the council ‘decided to support the fight for setting up the socialist democratic republic of Khalistan as a homeland for the Sikhs, just inside the Indian Border.
Giani Zail Singh told the Times of India on May 24th, 1972, that Dr Jagjit Singh was an 'agent of Pakistan' and said that no notice should be taken of what he called his 'anti - indian activities in Britain.' Further, Zail Singh stated that, 'no Sikh worth the name was with him (Dr Jagjit Singh)'.
The third convention of the Sikh Homeland Front was held on July 9th, 1972 at the Y.M.C.A Hall in Wolverhampton. At this conference, Dr Jagjit Singh had unfurled the Khalistan Flag.
Giani Bakshish Singh's Incarceration
Sant Fateh Singh, the president of the United Akali Dal expired on November 4th, 1972, Giani Bakshish Singh made the trip from England to the Panjab in order to attend Sant Fateh Singh's funeral. He travelled with his wife, Harjit Kaur (pictured). Giani Ji made some speeches of a fiery nature at gatherings and was later arrested by plain-clothed policemen in Jullundur, Panjab after the funeral’.
Under the Security Act, Giani Bakshish Singh was attested without proper law proceedings and was incarcerated, he was arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act in Amritsar on November 15th, 1972.
The Birmingham Post on December 5th, 1972 reports the abduction of Giani Bakshish Singh by the Panjab Police, they reported that Giani Ji was a ‘leading member of the Sikh Homeland Front which is campaigning for a separate Sikh state in independent India.'
On December 14th, 1972, the Times of India reports that the Panjab assembly had to be adjourned for a total of 15 minutes as ‘the Akalis blocked the proceedings for about 45 minutes and insisted that the speaker revise his ruling’. The motion sought to discuss the arrest of Giani Bakshish Singh, general secretary of the Akali Dal in the U.K. under the maintenance of Internal Security Act.
Sardar Jagjit Singh, the grandson of Giani Bakshish Singh tells me that Giani Ji was kept in detention for a whole year and that his case was commuted to the Supreme Court in India. Giani Ji was only released from captivity following lobbying by the British Government and was given ultimatum to never return to the place of his birth. Giani Ji was deported on November 19th, 1973 to London from Palam Airport, now titled The Indira Gandhi Airport in Delhi.
Giani Ji was welcomed by 100 Sikhs from all over the country at Dudley Town Hall on January 19th, 1973. On this occasion, Bakshish Singh told those present that he was 'mentally tortured, harassed, put in solitary confinement and offered money. But he remained convinced of the need to establish an independent Sikh state named Khalistan in Northern India.'
'He believed his arrest was because of an earlier trip to Pakistan when his Indian passport was revoked, and because he had led a demonstration in London. He praised the Bright High Commission in India and two local MP's, Mr. Sidney Chapman of Handsworth and Mr Brian Walden, of All Saints for their efforts to free him.'
The Sardars Rebel (1975-77)
'It was a combination of bad economic conditions thriving in the state, unwise political decisions that led to Indira’s response shifting towards authoritarianism with the suspension of democracy in July 1975 and to declare a state of emergency. In 1977, the electorate rejected Indira Gandhi and elected a non-Congress government.' - Diego Maiorano (Autumn of the Matriarch : Indira Gandhi's Final Term in Office)
June 25th, 1975 was the day that Indira Gandhi imposed an emergency (suspension of civil liberties) in the Indian Union and arrested all prominent leaders of the opposition. Mrs Gandhi’s close advisors had been working on a resolution for the imposition of an emergency since the early days of January 1975. It was only imposed when Mrs Gandhi could see no other option in sight. The declaration of the emergency was the only way for Mrs Gandhi to avoid stepping down. Had she stepped down, her political career could have come to an abrupt end.
The Panth Khalsa Newspaper which was distributed nationwide by Dr Jagjit Singh’s brother Bhai Harbhajan Singh Chohan, Bhai Sohan Singh Patara, and Bhai Balwant Singh Virk, the General Secretary of the Sikh Homeland Front acted as the eyes and the mouth of the Akali Dal on foreign soil. Following the censorship placed in the Indian State, news of the atrocities committed by Indira’s government were kept quiet, however the Sikhs had managed to smuggle letters out of Panjab. Dr Jagjit Singh stated that unless this newspaper and news reaches the homes of every Sikh, the ‘mission’ at hand would not be successful.
The Akali Dal was the only political party that courted arrest against Indira’s dictatorship and draconian laws. Thousands of Sikhs were further tortured whilst incarcerated. Jathedar Mohan Singh Tur presided over the ‘Save Democracy Movement’ and became President following the untimely death of ‘Sant’ Fateh Singh in 1972. It is also pertinent to mention that Sardar Sukhjinder Singh (a protagonist of the Khalistan Movement) has escaped from police custody in Kapurthala and reached Sri Akaal Takht Sahib, Sri Amritsar, Panjab.
During the Indian Emergency, London had seen two large ‘anti - Indira Gandhi Demonstrations’
On August 3rd, 1975, the Shiromani Akali Dal U.K. alongside fellow ‘countrymen’ marched in London to present the Indian High Commissioner with the demand that all political prisoners should be freed and democracy should be reinstated. The Financial Times reported that ‘the first major revolt’ Mrs Gandhi faced was from the Panjab following the implementation of the Emergency.
Dr Jagjit Singh on this occasion said ‘I know that woman (Mrs Gandhi)’ and later said ‘there is nothing she will not do.’ Dr Chohan further stated ‘I am probably the only man from the opposition who is not behind bars.’
In a declassified document released in 2014 under the 30 year rule, its comes to light that the Indian Government in 1976 had requested the British Government to ‘consider deporting’ Dr Jagjit Singh, a similar request was made in 1984.
The Council for the Freedom of Nations in the Indian Sub-Continent called upon the 'Indian ruling cliché' to release all 5000 Sikhs who have been imprisoned since the start of the Emergency. The Council further demanded the 'recognition of the Sikh Nation, a religion of universal brotherhood, and of its territorial integrity,'
Giani Bakshish Singh states that there are now but two options for the Khalsa Punth, either the Sikhs remove their Kirpans and Gatras, wear the Hindu Janeeu, proclaim Indira Gandhi as Durga (a hindu deity - the goddess of war), take the slaps of congress members or the Sikhs can speak out against these injustices and continue the struggle for the creation of a state that embodies the rule of righteousness. The Panjabi can be read below.
ਇਸ ਵੇਲੇ ਦੋ ਹੀ ਰਸਤੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਜਾਂ ਤਾਂ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਕੌਮ ਕਿਰਪਾਨ ਗਾਤਰਾ ਲਾਹ ਕੇ, ਜਨੇਊ ਪਾ ਲਵੇ, ਇੰਦਰਾ ਨੂੰ ਦੁਰਗਾ ਮੰਨ ਲਵੇ ਤੇ ਕਾਂਗਰਸੀ ਜਾਬਰਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਜੁੱਤੀਆਂ ਖਾਈ ਜਾਵੇ ਪਰ ਬੋਲੇ ਨਾਂ ਜਾਂ ਜ਼ੁਲਮ ਤੇ ਧੱਕੇ ਭਰੇ, ਬੇਇਨਸਾਫ਼ੀ ਦੇ ਰਾਜ ਦਾ ਸ਼ੀਸ਼ ਮਹੱਲ ਚਿਕਨਾ ਚੂਰ ਕਰਕੇ, ਹਲੇਮੀ ਰਾਜ ਦੀ ਸਥਾਪਨਾ ਲਈ ਮੈਦਾਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਿੱਤਰ ਪਵੇ ਅਤੇ ਸਾਬਤ ਕਰ ਦੇਵੇ ਕਿ ਗਗਨ ਦਮਾਮਾ ਵਾਜਿਓ, ਪਰਿੳ ਨੀਸਾਨੇ ਘਾਓ । ਖੇਤ ਜੋ ਮਾਂਡਿਓ ਸੂਰਮਾ , ਅਬ ਜੂਝਨ ਕੋ ਦਾਓੁ । - ਗਿਆਨੀ ਬਖਸ਼ੀਸ਼ ਸਿੰਘ ਬਰਮਿੰਘਮ - ਚੇਅਰਮੈਨ ਖਾਲਿਸਤਾਨ ਕੌਂਸਲ
'Let me say some facts about the present situation In India, particularly in the Panjab, the Homeland of the Sikhs. More than 10,000 Sikhs have been put in the Indian prisons. Almost all the Sikh leaders are under arrest without any trial. The spokesman of the Akali Dal, the newspaper Qaumi Dard is stopped to be published. Political opponents are under continuous harassment and fanatic Hindu tyranny is at its highest ever. And it is all being practiced under so call Emergency.
Indian Govt, arrested two Sikh leaders at Delhi Airport and put in prison while they were coming to the U.K. to participate in the ceremonies of Guru Teg Bahadur in Albert Hall, London on the invitation of the Sikhs living over here. We consider it was a direct interference of the Indian Govt in the Sikh religion and affairs.' - Giani Bakshish Singh B.A - 28/03/1976 (Letter to the High Commissioner for India)
On the 28th March 1976, a convention was held at Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Southall. On this occasion both veteran leaders Sardar Puran Singh (the Sardar of Kapurthala) & Bhai Sohan Singh Akali both spoke against the emergency imposed and helped form an action committee.
On this occasion Dr Jagjit Singh said ‘Sikhs have to decide whether to live an honourable life bestowed by their guru or live under tyrant atheist rule like slaves.’
Following this conference, Dr Jagjit Singh travelled to Washington (U.S) and on June 28th, 1976, Dr Jagjit Singh became the first Sikh leader to be called by the American Congress. Dr Ji at this hearing said ‘wherever there is a human being, I see human rights inherent in that being. Whoever takes away rights, especially the rights of free speech and open communication, strips mankind of its humanity and men and women of their dignity.’
ਸਨਿਮਰ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਕੇ ਅਕਾਲੀਆਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਮੋਰਚਾ ਲਗਾ, ਇਸ ਹਾਲਤ ਨੂੰ ਅੰਭਵ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਹੋਇਆਂ ਦਿਲ ਨੂੰ ਬਹੁਤ ਦੁੱਖ ਹੋਇਆਂ ਹੈ । ਅਸੀਂ ਭਾਵੇਂ ਪ੍ਰਦੇਸ਼ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੇਠੈ ਹੋਏ ਭਾਵੇਂ ਮੋਰਚੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਾਮਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੇ, ਪਰ ਸਾਡੀ ਹਮਦਰਦੀ ਸ਼ਰੋਮਨੀ ਅਕਾਲੀ ਦਾਲ, ਪੰਜਾਬ ਕੇ ਨਾਲ ਹੈ । ਸਾਨੂੰ ਜੋ ਵੀ ਆਪ ਜੀ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਹੋਵੇਂਗਾ, ਅਸੀਂ ਹਰ ਸਮੇ ਆਪ ਜੀ ਨਾਲ ਸਾਮਲ ਹੋਵਾਂਗੇ । ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਪਾਸ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਾਂ । - ਗਿ: ਪ੍ਰਤਿਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਰਾਹੀਂ - ਜਨਰਲ ਸਕੱਤਰ - ਸ਼ਰੋਮਣੀ ਅਕਾਲੀ ਦਾਲ ( ਯੂ.ਕੇ.) - Giani Pritam Singh Rahi (My Paternal Grandfather), General Secretary of the Shromani Akali Dal U.K. - 12/12/1976 (Letter to Harchand Singh Longowal of the Akali Dal)
So much misery has been witnessed, so much cruelty, slaughter and discrimination has faced the Sikh Nation from the inception of the Indian Union in 1947. Following this chapter, little would the people of Panjab know that their ‘green revolution’ would soon become the ‘red revolution’, as will be discovered in part three...
'You are a very sincere and true Sikh and have got deep sentiments for the welfare of the Sikh community, which cannot be achieved unless and until an Independent Sikh Homeland is got.' Sardar Jagjit Singh Doctor (Private Correspondence to Sardar Davinder Singh Parmar) - 16/05/1972
Kou kise ko raj na de hai, jo lai hai nij bal sit lai hai - Guru Gobind Singh
(No people can have self-rule as a gift from another. It is to be seized through their own strength)
Simranjeet S. Rahi - 12/03/2021
For how many people there are in this world, there are stories, some stories will be told and cherished, but there will be some stories, that will unfortunately perish... this not one of those. History breathes all around us, but it calls upon so few of us to embrace what once was, as episodes of the past unfold in the mind like that of a Pandora's box.
Many Thanks
S. Gur Rattan Pal Singh, Chandigarh (1936 - ?)
S. Hardeep S. Panchi, Birmingham (Grandson of S. Charan S. Panchi)
S. Jagjit Singh, Birmingham (Grandson of S. Bakshish S. Giani)
S. Anokh S. Dhillon, Vancouver (Grandson of S. Bikram S. Dev)
1984Museum Team
Sources
Private Collections
The Times of India
The Times
Panth Khalsa Newspaper
Khalistan Times Newspaper
IMS Vintage Photos
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