Amritsar: Bhai Gajinder Singh, the exiled Sikh leader and founding president of the pro-Sikh freedom body Dal Khalsa, has passed away in Pakistan. He had been hospitalized a few days earlier, reportedly due to a heart ailment.
Bhai Gajinder Singh is known for his role in the 1981 hijacking of an Indian Airlines plane, a protest against the arrest of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Along with three other Dal Khalsa members, Bhai Gajinder Singh redirected the flight to Lahore, Pakistan. They were arrested upon landing and charged with hijacking.
Bhai Gajinder Singh at Gurdwara Panja Sahib | File Photo
Following his conviction, Bhai Gajinder Singh served a prison sentence in Pakistan. After his release, he lived underground, remaining on India’s most-wanted list.
Bhai Gajinder Singh’s life was marked by his steadfast commitment to Sikh struggle for freedom. Despite living in exile, Bhai Gajinder Singh continued to be a Sikh significant figure, especially among those advocating for Sikh sovereignty.