Amritsar, Punjab: An annual function at Gurdwara Jhanda Bunga Sahib, near Akal Takht Sahib, in Darbar Sahib complex marked 30th martyrdom day of Shaheed Beant Singh who had laid his life to punish Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi for her offensive against the Sikh nation.
Representatives of various Sikh bodies bodies attended the bhog of Akhand Paath Sahib and the Ardas Samagam held near Akal Takht Sahib today.
Bhai Wariam Singh Agwan, brother of Bhai Satwant Singh received the Siporas presented in the honor of Shaheed Beant Singh, Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh. Bhai Wariam Singh said “I appeal to all the Sikhs to observe martyrdom days of our great martyrs and it is our duty also” .
It is notable that in June 1984 Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, had launched army attack on Darbar Sahib (Amritsar) and other Sikh Gurdwaras in Punjab and adjoining states. Indian army destroyed building of Akal Takht Sahib, fired at Darbar Sahib Amritsar, killed thousands of Sikh devotees in cold blood, damaged Tosha Khana and reduced the Sikh national library (located in Darbar Sahib Complex) to ashes.
The June 1984 attack marked beginning of 3rd Ghallughara (holocaust) of the Sikh History. Indira Gandhi was equated with Massa Ranghar, an eighteenth century ruler who had launched offensive against the Darbar Sahib.
Bhai Beant Singh and Satwant Singh killed Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984 at her residence. Bhai Beant Singh was martyred by other bodyguards of Indira Gandhi after he had surrendered after bringing down Indira Gandhi. Bhai Satwant Singh and Bhai Kehar Singh were sentenced to death by Indian courts and were martyred by hanging in Tihar jail on 6 January 1989.
Bhai Beant Singh, Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh were declared as “National Sikh Martyrs” after respective martyrdom. SGPC published Nanakshahi Calendar has mentioned under the heading of Historical Days, October 31st as Shaheede Bhai Beant Singh and January 6th as ‘Shaheede Bhai Kehar Singh Bhai Satwant Singh.
Laskhmi Kanta Chawla objects:
BJP leader Lakshmi Kanta Chawla has raised objections against the Sikhs for observing martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Beant Singh. Hindutva leader and BJP’s former national vice president – Luxmi Kanta Chawla said “This is time for government of India to decide whether a person who has killed Prime Minister of India is a martyr or terrorist”.