'Na sataish ki tamanna na sile ki parva.
Gar nehin hain mere ashaar men maani na sahi.' (Ghalib)
'I seek no praise; nor do I care for reward
If my couplets have no meaning, be it so.' (Translation by Mr. Prem Sagar Sharma)
'He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past.'
George Orwell (Nineteen Eighty-Four)
1966
Following Sant Fateh Singh's visit to the United Kingdom in the year, 1966, Sikhs organised themselves into the U.K. branch of the Shiromani Akali Dal, in what was then the premier Sikh Political Party and Fateh Singh, Fateh Singh was the President of the Panjab Branch of the Shiromani Akali Dal, a position he retained till his demise six years later.
Sardar Charan Singh Panchi, a resident of the city of Birmingham was elected President* whilst Giani Bakshish Singh, another resident of Birmingham alongside M.S. Kurban were elected as General Secretaries of the political party.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (U.K.) was formed at a meeting in Ealing Town Hall on September 8th, 1968 in the presence of three British MP’s. The main objectives of the Akali Dal (U.K.) was to unite the Sikhs, to give moral, spiritual, political, social and economic support to the Sikh Nation.
The Head Office of the Dal was located at 79 Sinclair Road, London W14 which was the former premises of the Central Gurdwara Khalsa Jatha known formerly as the 'Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Dharamsala.' In the below photograph which was taken at the Central Gurdwara, Sant Fateh Singh can be seen in the White Pagh (Turban) and Sardar Davinder Singh Parmar can be seen in the Black Pagh seated behind the Sant. Parmar is known as the founder of the Khalistan Movement in the United Kingdom and more will be discussed on his personality at a later date.
Sant Fateh Singh also visited my local gurdwara, the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Walsall alongside Gurdwaras in Southall, London & Smethwick, Birmingham.
I found this particular photograph in my Grandparents Photo Album, Sant Fateh Singh can be seen seated on the stage and alongside him are present the committee members of the Gurdwara. On this occasion, Sant Fateh Singh thanked the Sikhs and the congregation present 'for their help in bringing about a Panjabi-speaking State and told them what had been done in India and what was intended for the future'. Walsall Observer. (Friday 23 September 1966)
1967-68
In May 1967, a group of Sikh Gentleman had applied for work at the Good Year Tyre company in Wolverhampton. At this time, the wearing of the Pagh (Turban) was banned. The Father of Sardar Tarsem Singh Sandhu and other Sikh seniors whom were already working at the company took it upon themselves to fight against this discrimination. The Sikhs threatened to walk out in protest if things were not changed. In light of this, the company ceded to the Sikh demands and responded with a change to the ‘uniform’ allowing the Sikh Sardars to keep their honour and culture in tact.
‘When I visited England in the year 1966, I had the feeling that the British people were religious minded and they were respecting the religious feeling of other people. I was convinced that the long association of the Sikhs with the Britain would have helped them in understanding the religious aspirations of this community and during my talks with the Government and religious leaders of England, I was assured that the Sikhs in U.K. will not be discriminated against. But these discriminatory orders by the Wolverhampton Transport Corporation has shocked me. There is no other alternative now but to take a united stand to compel the corporation to raise the unjust orders.’ - Fateh Singh ‘Sant’ (11/03/1968)
Private Correspondence to S. Jarman S. Parmar of the Young Sikh Association
In August 1967, the famous Wolverhampton Transport Case arose where yet again, a ban on the wearing of the Pagh was imposed whilst workers worked on the cities buses. Inspired by the actions of the Morcha (Protest) at the Goodyear Tyre company, Sardar Tarsem Singh returned to work following a small absence, when he returned, he wore his ‘Pagh’ and an unshorn beard, truly embracing his Sikh identity. It is said that this ‘act of resistance’ was initiated after lengthy discussions with his father and his intention was to make his father proud.’
On April 30th, 1968, the Times reported that 17 Sikh busmen had asked the Wolverhampton Transport Department to strike out the appellation ‘Singh’ in their names in all office records in a vain attempt to distance themselves from the defiant stand led by Sardar Tarsem Singh Sandhu.
In regards to this Sardar Charan Singh Panchi, President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (U.K) stated that ‘I am sure no orthodox Sikhs would do this kind of thing. These men are forswearing their nationhood.’
In May 1968, Sikhs in the U.K. marched from Hyde Park to Whitehall in protest. Sardar Charan Singh Panchi reminded those present of the teachings of the Sikh Gurus. He said ‘let us be true to them and win the fight for the noble cause’. A demonstration was held prior to this in Wolverhampton and in the below video, Sant Bhaktawar Singh can be seen leading the protest.
Sant Bhaktwar Singh was the Granthi (or Sikh Priest) at the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Walsall. My Grandparents arrived in Walsall in the 1950s and with all early Sikh Migrants to the U.K., the Gurdwara was the beacon of light, the safe space so to speak and the core & central location for Sikh Migrants.
And hence, my Father who was very young at the time vividly remembers Sant Bhaktawar Singh. He explains, that Bhaktawar Singh was very, very tall and had a very strong build. He then guided me to this respected Uncle Ji whose photo is displayed.
Uncle Ji was very close to Bhaktawar Singh, and when I mentioned his name, his eyes shot up with happiness.
He recalled that Sant Bhaktawar Singh used to explain the meanings behind the hymns (or shabadhs)' of Guru Granth Sahib whilst he himself would recite the words of the Guru. He later mentioned that for the whole year at every evening, the local congregation would attend the Gurdwara and listen attentively without fail. I did ask Uncle Ji if he had any other information on Bakhtawar Singh but unfortunately, he explained that Sant Bhaktawar Singh had moved to Manchester in the late 70s and expired shortly after. Perhaps a lead I will pursue at a later date.
1969
On March 6th, 1969, Sardar Sohan Singh Jolly (the second President of the Shiromani Akali Dal U.K.), had threatened to self-immolate unless the Wolverhampton Transport Committee lifted its ban on ‘Sikh bus crew wearing turbans and beards’. Mr Jolly was told the committee would see him at its next meeting on April 9th, 1969, he said he hoped by then the committee would have seen sense and change their ruling. If not, he said ‘April 13, is the anniversary of the taking of the turban and beard as religious symbols and would probably be the date for his burning.’
When Sardar Jolly was asked whether his wife supported his plan, Jolly replied ‘She is a good Sikh and she will understand. She will not argue about it’.
The transport committee had rejected requests from five Sikhs including Tarsem Singh Sandhu’s to be allowed to ‘wear’ beards and turbans while working on the town’s buses. In light of this, 5,000 Sikhs wearing black armbands marched to the British High Commission in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi in protest (April 1969). ‘The procession carried placards condemning the Wolverhampton Transport Committee’s decision not to employ turbaned and bearded Sikhs.’
Historian Darshan S. Tatla writes that despite repeated appeals to the Indian High Commission in Britain, the cause received little sympathy and support. Bhai Sohan Singh Patara (Later the President of the Khalistan National Organisation U.K.) writes that Giani Bakshish Singh (General Secretary - Shiromani Akali Dal U.K. and later President of the Khalistan Council) noticed the inability of the Indian Government to act and this had such an effect on Giani Bakshish Singh that he decided to take up this matter personally.
Tatla further writes that Charan S. Panchi blamed the Indian High Commission squarely and joined the Sikh Homeland Front. This single event was another ‘ordeal’ for members of the Sikh nation living abroad. This episode directly followed the struggle undertaken by Sikhs working at the Good Year Tire & Rubber company (1967) and this sole episode has changed Sikh history in both the U.K and the Panjab as will soon be discovered...
Sardar Gian Singh Rarewala upon learning that on the intervention of Indian and British Governments, the Wolverhampton Transport Company had revised their policy and lifted the years ban on the wearing of beards and turbans by all sikhs writes 'This unwarranted, unlawful and foolish ban had angered all the Punjabis in general, and the Sikhs in particular. The self-immolation of S. Sohan Singh Jolly and other Sikhs would have strained the relations of the Sikhs and Englishman irreparably and ignited another racial trouble of much wider magnitude and implications witnessed by the world so far.' - Sardar Gian Singh Rarewala (11.04.1969) Private Correspondence to Sardar Davinder Singh Parmar of 62, Seymour Avenue, Tottenham, London N17.
The Immortal Martyr
On November 1st 1966, the Panjabi Suba demand was conceded by the central government following a decade of struggle and it was for this reason that Sant Fateh Singh travelled to the United Kingdom and beyond. There was much to celebrate during this year and readers will find it interesting to note that the demand for the Panjabi Suba was supported wholly by the Communist parties of the Panjab.
However on Sant Fateh Singh's return to the Panjab, he would realise that not all they, the Akali Dal endeavoured had been achieved. Fateh Singh would consequently start another fast for the inclusion of Chandigarh into the new state of Panjab in December 1966. He would later break this fast which would later lead to Darshan Singh Pheruman starting his own hunger strike as will be discussed in detail below. Master Tara Singh, the veteran Sikh Leader was sorely disappointed with the ‘reality’ of what was created. The Suba should have been larger and genuinely ‘a Sikh homeland’. Master Tara Singh said ‘we (the Sikhs) do not wish to separate from India’ but autonomy should be blessed upon the Panjab, Tara Singh expired a year later on November 19th, 1967.
'In 1962 it was at the instance of Master Tara Singh that I went to Parliament, and throughout the five years of my stay in Lok Sabha, I remained in constant touch with him. My speech in September 1966 opposing the formation of the present Panjabi Suba was delivered after he had approved its draft. The resolution for the demand of the Sikh Homeland, which was unanimously passed at the All India Akali Conference in December 1966 at Ludhiana was drafted by me after long consultation with Master Tara Singh.' - Sirdar Kapur Singh (www.santsipahi.org)
‘To concede the Akali dilemma would mean abandoning a position to which it (the congress) was firmly committed and letting down its Hindu supporters in the projected Panjabi Suba.’ - Indira Gandhi (My Truth)
‘It is this concern for her ‘Hindu supporters in the Panjabi Suba which explains Mrs. Gandhi’s policy all these years.’ - Diego Maiorano (Autumn of the Matriarch : Indira Gandhi's Final Term in Office
In June 1969, Dr Jagjit S. Chohan, a former Finance Minister of the Panjab State Government & Mr Bangla were arrested in a Gurdwara Sahib whilst Mr Bangla was undertaking a fast in support of the demand of the inclusion of the city of Chandigarh in the ‘new’ Panjab.
Sardar Darshan Singh Pheruman was a leader of great repute and a founding member of the Shiromani Akali Dal, he was arrested on August 12th, 1969 and began his fast on August 15th whilst in police custody. He continued his fast in jail until August 26th where he was transferred to hospital. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister wrote to Sardar Darshan Singh Pheruman requesting him to bring an end to the fast. Pheruman rejected all appeals and said ‘whenever a Sikh offers an Ardaas (a plea) before his Guru, he must fulfil it if he is a true Sikh.’
The video below is of Dr Jagjit Singh speaking at a Conference hosted by the International Sikh Youth Federation (U.K) in Derby, United Kingdom. (1985)
'He sacrificed his life during the movement for the inclusion of Chandigarh in Panjab. It was I who asked Pheruman to come forward and save the Sikh Nation from decadence. We had long discussions before the final decision. Darshan Singh the martyr said that he wanted to recite the Granth Sahib.
He performed his ablutions and then recited hymns. A little later he announced that he found himself ready to make a sacrifice for the nation.
Sometime before the martyrdom of Darshan Singh Pheruman, I escaped from jail and had one last meeting with the martyr. He was kept in Hospital. His skin had become dark because of his prolonged hunger strike. He asked me if we were scared. I replied "Not at all." We then carried the sacred remains and last will of Darshan Singh Pheruman to every corner of the Punjab.
In his testament the martyr had explicitly advocated the concept of an independent Khalistan.' Dr Jagjit Singh (The Khalistan Riddle - Peter Stockdale)
On October 27th 1969, Pheruman, the 83 year old veteran freedom fighter died on the 74th day of his indefinite fast for the inclusion of Chandigarh and the Bhakra complex in Panjab.
The Times of India on October 29th reports that the funeral of Darshan Singh was ‘marred by disorderly scenes’, with the shouting of slogans and the throwing of stones. This led to a mild lathi charge by the police to disperse what they called as a violent mob.
Dr Jagjit Singh was a close confidant of Pheruman and appeared near to the raised platform where Darshan Singh's Shaheedi Saroop (martyred body) lay. He labelled Sant Fateh Singh a ‘traitor’ to the Sikh cause.
It was reported that 20,000 people attended the funeral including the likes of Sirdar Kapur Singh , a former IAS officer and Giani Zail Singh, a politician and later the President of the Republic of India (1982-87) . Following the funeral, Dr Jagjit Singh alongside his associates were arrested.
On October 31st, 1969, the bail application of Dr Jagjit Singh, Gian Singh Rarewala, (the first Chief Minister of the former Indian State of Patiala and East Panjab States Union, commonly known as PEPSU) and others was rejected under the Panjab Security Act following the funeral of Darshan Singh.
Pheruman is known as the first martyr of the Sikh Homeland.
‘The country is free but the Panth is still in shackles’. - Jathedar Darshan Singh Pheruman
The Sardar of Kapurthala
On October 13th 1969, Sardar Puran Singh was elected as the Shiromani Akali Dal (U.K.) President. Puran Singh was a railway guard and a former aide to the Maharaja of Kapurthala, the Sikh Princely State.
The Times of India reports that ‘with the exception of a solitary Englishman, the hall was packed with Turbaned gentry.’ The contest for Presidency of the Akali Dal was between Giani Amolak Singh and Joginder Singh Sandhu. Mr Sandhu withdrew his candidature in favour of Giani Amolak Singh who in turn proposed the name of Sardar Puran Singh.
The meeting took a total of 4 hours and towards the end, all Akalis voted in favour of demonstrating outside the Indian High Commission (Aldwych, London) in support of the demand to include Chandigarh and other Panjabi speaking areas in the newly formed Panjab on October 18th, 1969.
Sikhs also demonstrated on November 2nd, 1969, following the martyrdom of Darshan Singh Pheruman. It may seem very bizarre to readers that Sikhs would be holding an effigy of Mrs Gandhi 15 years or so prior to the siege and battle at Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar (1984) which was the sole cause of Indira Gandhi's Assassination on October 31st,1984, but it happened and feelings of animosity were present even at this early stage in time.
On January 25th, 1970, Sardar Puran Singh led fellow Akalis and marched from Trafalgar Square, London to the Indian High Commission, London where they staged a demonstration.
Puran Singh had fasted for a week in protest against what he called ‘the unfair treatment of Sikhs by the Indian Government.’ 500 Sikhs had taken part in this march and it was reported that the Akalis had thrown pennies and bottles at the windows of the High Commission. Sardar Puran Singh had ‘collapsed while meeting members of the high commission outside the building and was rushed to a Rolls-Royce and driven off.’
1970
Sant Fateh Singh had started another fast on this very same day in the Panjab but later ‘betrayed the state (the Panjab) merely in order to save his life’ writes Baba Gurmukh Singh of the Desh Bhagat Periodical. The Sant later called off his fast without achieving anything despite assurances from the Indian State Government that they would solve the ‘three year dispute between the states of Panjab and Haryana by giving the joint capital of Chandigarh to the Sikh-majority state of Panjab.’ Little did the Sant know he was to rebuffed yet again...
The year 1970 was a very interesting year for Sikh Politics, on one side there was the cause to bring Chandigarh to the Panjab and on the other, was the battle for supremacy between the Akali Leaders namely the Sant Fateh Singh faction and the Master Tara Singh faction led by Justice Gurnam Singh.
On March 25th, 1970, Justice Gurnam Singh’s Government had collapsed and on this occasion, Dr Jagjit Singh writes that the government collapsed due to an internal disagreement between both leaders and as such, on the 27th March, Parkash Singh Badal was sworn into office. The Times reported that the Panjabi politicians had been switching loyalties at random and were already making the system a laughing stock as illustrated by a Swatantra party member who changed sides three times.
On July 22nd, 1970, Sant Fateh Singh left Sri Akaal Takht Sahib in Sri Amritsar, Panjab and launched another morcha (Demonstration) aimed at ‘liberating’ the Delhi Gurdwaras from central control. The Sant later declared that the Sikhs could never tolerate governmental interference in their religious affairs. Sardar Prem Singh Lalpura on this occasion had warned the government that if it was so solicitous about the freedom of Bangladesh, it should know that the Sikhs too wished to remain independent. This was the first occasion that the Sant had donned a Black Pagh (Turban).
Once news of this reached the Sikhs in the U.K., they too raised their voices and acted. The Shiromani Akali Dal (U.K.) had carried out a demonstration, banners such as ‘Hands off Sikh Temples’ & ‘Our Demand Sikh Homeland’ can be seen in the above and below photographs.
Sardar Puran Singh, President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (U.K.) can be seen garlanded on the far right of the photograph.
In an open letter to Parkash Singh Badal who took up office as the Chief Minister of the Panjab State Government from 27/03/1970 to 14/06/1971, the Shiromani Akali Dal (U.K) stated that the ‘the Sikhs in this country are convinced that it is completely useless to entrust our welfare in the hands of the officials of the Indian High Commission.’
‘Now that we have our own government in the Panjab and you are it’s Chief Minister, we would request you to open a separate diplomatic and counsellor office of the Panjab Government to represent the Sikh interest in this country.’
In an all parties Sikh conference held at Ealing Town Hall, London on April 11th, 1970, all speakers agreed that the salvation of the Sikhs lies in the establishment of an autonomous Sikh ‘homeland’ in the North of India including Panjab and all other adjoining areas over which Sikhs have justifiable claims. Sardar Sohan Singh Jolly (pictured) chaired this conference.
'There is a news item that Mr. Jolly, who had gone to India, has been ordered by the Indian Government to leave the country immediately and he has filed a write in the Panjab High Court against this order of the Central Government.' - Jagjit Singh Chohan (Private Correspondence to Sardar Parmar) 03/05/1972
Parkash Singh Badal visited the U.K. on September 26th, 1970, he was the chief guest at a function arranged at the Century Cinema Hall in Southall, London. Badal was to inaugurate the opening of the U.K. branch of the International Punjabi Society which has its headquarters in New Delhi, India. On this occasion Mr Mehrban Singh Dhupia, General Secretary and Mr Gurcharan Singh Gill who was the President of the Society were present.
It is important to mention that Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir was the first President of the society. Musafir was the Chief Minister of the Panjab State from (11/11/1966 - 08/03/1967).
Interestingly enough Mehrban Singh Dhupia was sent by the Maharaja of Patiala to London in July 1947 to meet with the Secretary of State for India before the Boundary Commission announced the demarcation line. The Maharaja had lobbied Mountbatten on the basis that Nankana Sahib, the village of Nanak should not be allowed ‘to go into foreign territory.’
Unfortunately Prime Minister Attlee refused to see Mehrban Singh & Principal Ganga Singh. The Secretary of State for India stated that ‘the matter was out of hand’.
At the inauguration of the U.K. branch of the International Punjabi Society, eggs were thrown at Mr Badal and the Lord Mayor. Sardar Davinder Singh Parmar on this occasion had gone to distribute pamphlets propagating the Sikh State. Joginder Singh Sandhu supported by the Indian High Commissioner attacked Parmar in a vain attempt to discourage him from future political activities but to no avail.
It is important to mention that Sandhu became the President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (U.K.) in 1972 which led to a split in the ranks of the Shiromani Akali Dal (U.K) and led to the creation of a faction titled the Sikh Homeland Front.
Sardar Avtar Singh Azad (photographed) was a General Secretary of the breakaway group titled the Sikh Homeland Front, the Front had its headquarters in Smethwick, Birmingham.
On November 26th, 1970 following Badal’s return to the Panjab, both Justice Gurnam Singh and the Sant mended their relationship and reunited. Gurnam Singh on this occasion said ‘in the interests of the Sikhs as well as of Panjab as a whole, we have decided to unite without any preconditions.’ The Pheruman Akali Dal led by Sardar Gian Singh Rarewala also merged into this one party.
Interestingly enough, Mr Badal with Sant Fateh Singh had garlanded Gian Singh Rarewala, Dr Jagjit Singh and other leaders of the group outside Sri Akaal Takht Sahib, Sri Amritsar, Panjab.
Dr Jagjit Singh would became one of four General Secretary’s of the newly united Shiromani Akali Dal however, he was to be formally suspended less than a year later on November 9th, 1971 whilst he was in Pakistan.
1971
Giani Bakshish Singh visited Nankana Sahib, West Panjab with Sardar Charan Singh Panchi and Dr Jagjit Singh Chohan. The trio had departed from the U.K and made the trip to Nankana Sahib on October 21st, 1971.
Dr Jagjit Singh and co stayed in Pakistan for a month and then he solely travelled to Frankfurt, Germany where he stayed for two or three days prior to coming back to England.
The video below is of Dr Jagjit Singh speaking at the Khalistan Day Conference (1989) hosted by the Council of Khalistan (U.K.).
Dr Chohan arrived back in the U.K. on November 28th, 1971. Antion Vikram Singh Meredith was invited to meet Dr Jagjit Singh at the airport on his return and on this occasion, Dr Jagjit Singh had a handwritten copy of the Guru Granth Sahib which was obtained on his visit to Pakistan.
The Birmingham Post writes that a public relations firm handling his (Dr Jagjit Singh's) visit said he has recently completed a major new Sikh - Pakistan agreement. Antion Meredith recalls meeting Dr Chohan at the airport and was embraced by him. He further recalls Sikhs chanting ‘we want Sikh State’ continuously as they walked out of the terminal. Antion then states that Dr Jagjit Singh grabbed his hand once they arrived at the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Southall, whilst they tried to entered the Gurdwara amid chaotic scenes.
A week later Dr Jagjit Singh travelled to the Cannock Road Gurdwara in Wolverhampton where he was greeted with ‘angry scenes’. Amrik Singh Sahota informs me that Dr Chohan's car was overturned during this episode. Dr Jagjit Singh later returned to London following this and the handwritten copy of the Granth was left in the possession of Sardar Charan Singh Panchi at his residence in Sparkhill, Birmingham.
Dr Jagjit Singh told the Birmingham Post that the trouble was caused by ‘Russian paid agents who did not believe in the religion’. He further stated that a buffer state between India and Pakistan was the ‘only realistic solution for the future of the sub-continent.’
Mrs Gandhi visited London on October 30th, 1971. Waiting for her was Dr Jagjit Singh and companions who had travelled to the Airport specifically to greet Mrs Gandhi. The Sardars raised political slogans against Mrs. Gandhi and her party. The Times of India reports that the Sikhs ‘never got a glimpse of Mrs Gandhi’ and the South China Morning Post reports that the ‘police ordered them (the Sikhs) to get rid of their posters saying it was an offence to display them on airport property.’
In another talk with reporters on October 31st, 1971, Dr Jagjit Singh stated that ‘the struggle for the establishment of an independent Sikh state’ would continue ‘till the end’. On December 31st, he was formally expelled from the Akali Dal and from office for his ‘anti-national and anti-Panth’ activities abroad.
Sardar Charan Singh in a letter published in Des Pardes on December 12th, 1971 writes that ‘Sikhs have to realise that there is no future in India dominated by Hindus. The honour and prestige of the community cannot be maintained without state power. Sooner we realise this challenge better it will be for us to set our objective of establishing a sovereign Sikh state in the Punjab. We cannot keep ourselves in bondage for ever. Our leaders are like beggars in New Delhi.’
To be continued...
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 story is not one of those.
One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh... The sun also ariseth and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose... The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. (Ecclesiastes I:3-1)
The Panjab is the homeland of the Sikhs and no earthly power has the right to deny the Sikhs their due. - Baba Kharak Singh (The Gloucestershire Echo) 05/06/1947
'Sikhs political goal is divinely fixed.' - Sirdar Kapur Singh
Simranjeet S. Rahi - 09/03/2021
There pre-exists bonds between people through the sharing of genes, but bonds can also be created anew through marriage. But there are some bonds which exist, that are simply unexplainable.
The bond I share with the figures that I write about is one such form of the latter. I do not believe in coincidences, for things unveil themselves as planned and I speculate on what my connection is to these historical figures. Figures that breathed the air that I now breath, figures that dressed in the way that I now dress and perhaps figures that thought & acted in the way that I now think and act. But I guess, that some things are to remain hidden till the end of time...
Many thanks
S. Hardeep S. Panchi, Birmingham (Grandson of S. Charan S. Panchi)
S. Anokh S. Dhillon, Vancouver (Grandson of S. Bikram S. Dev)
S. Tarsem S. Sandhu, Wolverhampton
S. Gurdev S. Chohan, Birmingham
1984Museum Team
Video Sources
BBC
BFA
Private Collections
Picture Sources
Getty Images
The Times
Des Pardes
The Times of India
Private Collection
Birmingham Post
The Bandung File