Amritsar: Bhai Mehal Singh Babbar, a prominent figure in the Sikh struggle of the 1980s and 1990s, passed away on March 24, 2025, at Nankana Sahib in Pakistan, where he had been living in exile. Formerly an officer in the Indian Air Force, Bhai Mehal Singh left his position in the 1980s to join the Sikh movement. He spent his final years in Nankana Sahib, where he breathed his last.

An Antim Ardas ceremony was held in his memory on April 4, 2025, at Gurdwara Baba Gurbaksh Singh Ji, near Akal Takht Sahib within the Darbar Sahib complex in Amritsar. The event saw participation from representatives of various Panthic organizations, including Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu (Panch Pardhani Panthak Jatha), Bhai Lal Singh Akalgarh, Bhai Narien Singh, Bhai Rajinder Singh Mugalwal, Bhai Bhupinder Singh Bhalwan, Bhai Bakshish Singh (Akhand Kirtani Jatha), Bhai Mandhir Singh (Panth Sewak Jatha Doaba), Bhai Satnam Singh Khandewala, Bhai Satnam Singh Jhanjian, Sukhdeep Singh Meekay (Panth Sewak Jatha Majha), Kanwarpal Singh and Paramjit Singh Mand (Dal Khalsa), Ranjit Singh (Damdami Taksal, Sikh Youth Federation Bhindranwale), former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Paramjit Singh Sarna, as well as representatives from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar (Maan), among others. Sikh representatives

Bhai Mehal Singh Babbar’s wife and other family members were honored with Siropas following the ceremony. Notably, the SGPC-appointed acting Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, also attended the samagam. However, some members of the sangat urged him not to present Siropas, citing that many present did not recognize his appointment. Following this, Giani Kulwant Singh refrained from doing so.

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