Amritsar, Punjab (October 10, 2013): The Sikh nation paid rich tributes to Shaheed Harjinder Singh Jinda and Shaheed Sukhdev Singh Sukha, assassins of Gen A.S. Vaidya at a function organized by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) at Akal Takht on Wednesday (Oct. 09).
While almost the entire leadership of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) stayed away from the 21st martyrdom anniversary of the Bhai Sukha-Jinda, the Sikh nationalists slammed traditional Akali leadership for “not attending” the function due to perceived fear of backlash from Hindu voters and the Indian media.
Rewail Singh, Grandhi of Darbar Sahib and Manager Darbar Sahib bestowed siropa (robe of honour) upon Nirbhai Singh and Bhupinder Singh brothers of Harjinder Singh Jinda, and cousin sister of Sukhdev Singh Sukha the assassins of General Vaidya.
Bhai Harpal Singh Cheema of Akali Dal Panch Pardhani (ADPP), while paying tributes to “Bhai Sukha and Bhai Jinda” said both of them made the Sikh nation proud.
While speaking on the occasion Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwarpal Singh said “we gathered here to pay tributes to them as they are our quami martyrs who embraced martyrdom to avenge the sacrilege of Darbar Sahib and Akal Takht”. He described them as martyrs of Khalistan struggle.
Describing the assassination of General Vaidya as an act of bravery, Dal Khalsa head H S Dhami praised Sukha and Jinda for the exemplary courage shown during the trail of the case. “Instead of appealing for mercy they went to the gallows with smiling faces,” he said.
Damdami Taksal leader Bhai Mohkam Singh said the assassins of General Vaidya brought laurels to “Sikh quam”.
Another function to mark the occasion was also held at Gadli, a native village of Bhai Jinda, where speakers paid homage to both.