Banga, Nawan Shehar (June 11, 2014): As almighty fulfilled his one of two wishes that he wanted to die as Sikh, the two time Bahujan Smaj Party MP and close aide of late Babu Kanshi Ram, Harbhajan Singh Khalsa (Laakha) passed away on Wednesday with his fulfilled wish. He had taken Amrit on June 6, 2014 at Akal Takhat along with 14 of his supporters.
However, he could not fulfil his wish to induct the Dalits of Punjab to Sikhi, but he had motivated many of his supporters before he died. Born in 1941, Harbhajan Laakha, as he was known before taking Amrit, remained Member of Indian Parliament (MP) in 1989 and 1996 on BSP ticket. He was then first general secretary of BSP in Punjab.
Harbhajan Singh Khalsa with others at Darbar Sahib on 6 June 2014.
He just called up Jathedar of Takhat Damdama Sahib Talwandi Sabo Bhai Nandgarh last evening as many Dalits from Rajasthan wanted to take Amrit. He wanted to start a campaign to bring the Dalits to the Sikhi.
He took his last breath today morning at his residence in Banga town of Nawan Shehar but he would be cremated after his family members including three sons, who are settled in Vancouver of Canada, a daughter from New Delhi and other relatives reach at Banga, one of his relatives Jagtar Singh Jeeta said.
“He used to visit Canada frequently and he interacted with Sikh human rights activist like Harkirat Singh and others at Dashmesh Darbar and other Sikh Gurdwaras where he was influenced by the real essence of Sikhism and made up his mind to come to Sikhi”, said Bhai Harpal Singh Cheema.
“He wanted to form a group named after Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale to bring all the Dalits to Sikhi, which he told me on June 3, 2014, when I visited him at Banga”, added Cheema.
“He used to tell me that he was born as Hindu but wanted to die as Sikh. He also revealed me that Babu Kanshi Ram during his last days, wanted to be a Sikh. He also referred to Dr BR Ambedkar who was stopped by rich Sikhs (he called them Malik Bhagos) from joining Sikhism”, he further added.
“We were seeking a strong leadership spirit for Sikhs in him and it is a matter of sorrow that we have lost a leader”, he expressed sorrow.
President All India Sikh Student Federation (AISF), Karnail Singh Peermohamad expressed grief over the untimely demise of Laakha.
He told Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) that Akal Takhat Jathedar Gyani Gurbachan Singh also called him up and expressed grief over the death of Laakha.