Shaheed Baba Charan Singh Bir Sahib Wale

 

When our team member, Bhai Ranjit Singh Damdami Taksal went to present the book, Tavareekh Shaheed-E-Khalistan (Part One) to Baba Dr. Gurnam Singh, the successor of Shaheed Baba Charan Singh Kar Sewa Bir Sahib Wale, at the historical place Gurudwara Guru Ke Mahal Attari Sahib (village Daroli Bhai Ki, district Moga) on 24th December 2019, we shared our thoughts on Panthic issues and Baba Charan Singh’s involvement during the time when Sikh struggle was at its peak. Baba Dr. Gurnam Singh shared information about Baba Charan Singh’s life, services he rendered to the Sikh nation and his martyrdom with us and we wrote it down. 

 

The tragedy is that the current Sikh youth generation has no knowledge about Baba Ji’s unique and great martyrdom. We remember once in 2014 our team purchased photos from a journalist, and amongst this album there were images of Baba Charan Singh’s family and how they were fighting for justice for the extrajudicial killing of Shaheed Baba Charan Singh Kar Sewa. At that time, we wrote down as much information as we knew about Baba Ji’s martyrdom and posted it on social media, which the youth were very impressed to read. In the year 2020, Sant Baba Charan Singh was also declared a martyr of the Sikh nation by Sri Akaal Takht Sahib. Here is the biography of the great martyr, Shaheed Baba Charan Singh Kar Sewa. 

 

Prophecy 

Ferozepur is a historical village on the Ferozepur-Moga Road in Ferozepur district. A resident of this village, Sardar Banta Singh was married to Bibi Gurnam Kaur and with the passage of time, the family hoped for a child. One day the whole family is sitting at home and a saint came into the house chanting Waheguru. Addressing Sardar Banta Singh, the saint said, “A philanthropist will be born in your house. Take a Hukamnama from the blessed Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj and keep the name, if the first letter of the Hukamnama is G, keep the name Gurcharan Singh. And if the letter Ch is present, keep the name Charan Singh. If the name Gurcharan Singh comes, then he will be a philanthropist from birth and if the name Charan Singh comes, then while doing Sewa and meditation in the company of him, one will shine from light to light.” After speaking a few more words in a spiritual tone, the saint left. Sardar Banta Singh was feelings so blessed that he forgot to offer water or food to the saint. He went after the saint, but when he looked for the saint outside on his street, there was no one visible for miles. It is believed that Waheguru Ji himself gave this prophetic message from Nirgun to Sargun in the form of a Saint. As time passed, a son was born on 29th September 1944. The first letter of the Hukamnama came and it was Ch, Sardar Banta Singh named his son, Charan Singh. 

 

Baba Charan Singh became a young man, and enrolled in the Indian army. He showed great bravery and courage when he saved the lives of his fellow soldiers during the war with China in 1962. But when it was time for awards, medals were given to a Hindu officer under racial-communal discrimination, this injustice was also felt by some other Sikh and Hindu soldiers and military officers. Fed up, Baba Charan Singh resigned from his job and returned home. Sardar Banta Singh had settled in village Pandori Rumana, district Amritsar (now Tarn Taran) after getting land as per the land distribution done by his father, Sardar Inder Singh. Baba Charan Singh came home and started farming. 

 

Baba Charan Singh used to go Gurdwara Bir Baba Buddha Sahib Ji (Thattha, Jhabbal) to do Kar Sewa (building and maintenance of Gurdwaras). Then eventually, Baba Charan Singh decided to stay here under the command of Baba Kharak Singh and continue doing Kar Sewa. Baba Charan Singh did such great Sewa and meditation that Baba Kharak Singh appointed him as his successor. 

 

Leading the Kar Sewa

Baba Sukha Singh, the great warrior who took the head of Masse Ranghar to Budha Johar (Rajasthan) after avenging the desecration of Sri Harmandir Sahib, Sri Amritsar Sahib was born in village Mari Kambo Ke, district Sri Amritsar (now Tarn Taran). Baba Sukha Singh had also fought 14 battles in his life. The congregation of the Mari Kambo Ke area gathered and went to Bir

Sahib and requested Baba Kharak Singh to conduct Kar Sewa of the historic Gurdwara Dhab Sahib in the sacred memory of the great warrior, Baba Sukha Singh. Baba Kharak Singh replied to the congregation, “You villagers should do the Sewa with your hands, we will provide building materials and any other needs.” But the Sikhs of the area wanted Baba Kharak Singh to be involved directly, and after many requests from the Sangat, on 24th November 1983, thousands of locals from nearby villages gathered at the location where the Gurdwara was going to be built, Baba Kharak Singh addressed the congregation, “Sangat Ji, I do not have any vehicles or money to give to you at this time, but I am going to hand over a part of myself to you. I am appointing Baba Charan Singh to this Kar Sewa, I am giving you my head for this Sewa. There is no difference between me and Baba Charan Singh.” After repeating this a few times, Baba Kharak Singh passed the responsibility of building the Gurudwara Sahib to Baba Sharan Singh, the congregation also accepted Baba Charan Singh as a part of Baba Kharak Singh and started playing a part in the Kar Sewa of the Gurudwara. 

 

To start the Kar Sewa of the Sarovar, Baba Charan Singh along with the Sangat went to Baba Kharak Singh to initiate this task. Baba Kharak Singh gave a date and time to when the Kar Sewa of the Sarovar would start. Baba Kharak Singh came to the location of the Sarovar and once again, addressing the congregation he said, “From today, Baba Charan Singh is to take my place as I am very old. From today, Baba Charan Singh will sit in my place and fulfil all duties and all Kar Sewa projects.” After this, at the time of the commencement of the Kar Sewa of Gurdwara Angitha Sahib at the cremation ground of 13 Singhs martyred in the 1978 Amritsar massacre by the Narakhdharis at Sri Amritsar (near Guru Sri Ramsar Sahib), Baba Kharak Singh gave his golden shovel and bucket to Sant Baba Charan Singh to commence the Kar Sewa.

 

With the blessings of Waheguru, Baba Charan Singh did Kar Sewa of more than 40 Gurudwaras. The list of the Kar Sewa is as follows: –

 

  • Gurdwara Bir Baba Budha Sahib, Thattha, Jhabbal
  • Gurdwara San Sahib Patshahi 3, Basarke Gill, Amritsar
  • Gurdwara Janam Asthan Patshahi 6, Guru Ki Wandali, Amritsar
  • Langar Hall, Sri Guru Ramdas Ji, Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar
  • Baba Budha Ji College, Bir Sahib, Thattha, Jhabbal

 

The above Kar Sewa was done under the guidance Baba Kharak Singh and the list below is the Kar Sewa led by Baba Charan Singh himself: –

 

  • Gurdwara Zamni Sahib Patshahi 10, Bazidpur, Ferozpur
  • Gurdwara Bhai Sukha Singh Ji Shaheed, Marhi Kanbo Ke
  • Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib Patshahi 5, Thatthikhara
  • Gurdwara Manji Sahib Patshahi 5, Thatthikhara, Tarn Taran
  • Gurdwara Angitha Sahib 13 Singh Shaheeda, near Gurdwara Ramsar Sahib, Amritsar 
  • Gurdwara Manji Sahib Patshahi 6, Vadda Ghar, Moga
  • Gurdwara Gursar Sahib Patshahi 6, Smalsar, Moga
  • Gurdwara Jorian Sahib Patshahi 10, Jagraon
  • Gurdwara Baba Hindal Ji, Pandori Rumana
  • Gurdwara Chubacha Sahib Patshahi 5, Thande, Amritsar 
  • Gurdwara Patshahi 10, Pathrala, Dubwali 
  • Gurdwara Baba Nanga Ji, Chabba, Amritsar 
  • Gurdwara Simransar, Chandigarh
  • Baba Farid Ji Free Hospital, Kotakpura
  • Baba Farid Ji Free Hospital, Chandigarh 

 

Looking after the families of Shaheeds

According to the service blessed by the Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj, Baba Charan Singh played the role of a glorious general in the Sikh freedom struggle and devoted his body, mind and wealth to the Guru Panth. During the Sikh freedom struggle, he provided all kinds of assistance to the Sikhs detained in jails, provided full expenses and support for the cremation to the families of the martyred Sikhs, honoured the families of the martyrs by going to the Shaheedi Smagams, even giving gold medals and hoisting Nishan Sahibs in the memory of the martyrs. Baba Charan Singh helped the families of the martyrs with groceries and clothes, even educated the children of the martyrs. Baba Charan Singh never showed his gratitude for doing so much, he never claimed that he had done something for the martyr’s family, instead he did whatever he could for the families as his duty. 

 

A newspaper dated 8th November 1991, report: “In the recent days, in the village of Sangha, two kilometres from Tarn Taran, the first Shaheedi Barsi of Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan Chief General, Bhai Sukhwinder Singh Sangha and his four comrades Bhai Bikramjit Singh Narla, Bhai Baljit Singh Khela, Bhai Manjit Singh Madho and Bhai Ramesh Pal Singh Patiala was celebrated with great enthusiasm despite heavy restrictions. After the Bhog, Kirtan was performed, Guru Ka Langar was served in abundance, Punjab police and CRPF surrounded the entire village at four in the morning on the day of the anniversary (martyrdom commemoration). The families of the martyrs were honoured with gold medals by Baba Charan Singh at a separate place. Baba Charan Singh gave the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Gold Medal to the mother of Shaheed Bhai Sukhwinder Singh Sangha, Mata Mohinder Kaur. Bhai Jabal Singh was given the Baba Veer Singh Medal, Sardar Dyal Singh was given the Bhai Taru Singh Medal. Apart from these, the families of Bhai Bikramjit Singh Narla, Bhai Baljit Singh Khela, Bhai Manjit Singh Madho, Bhai Harbhajan Singh Patiala, Bhai Kuldeep Singh Muchhal, Bhai Bakshish Singh Sona, Bhai Aulakh Singh Babbar, Bhai Satnam Singh Chuslewar, Bhai Surjit Singh Jhakhar, Bhai Gurjant Singh Rajasthani, Bhai Kulwant Singh Nagoke, Bhai Balwinder Singh Mand, Bhai Ranjit Singh Rana, Bhai Gurdeep Singh Maniala, Bhai Jagroop Singh Kalakh and Bhai Barjinder Singh Panjwar were honoured with gold medals, Siropa and financial support.”

 

Commitment to the Faith

While walking on the path of Sikhi, the services being done by Baba Charan Singh in the love of the Guru, were becoming a thorn in the eyes of the Indian government and its security forces in Punjab. In the eye of the Indian government, it was a crime for Baba Charan Singh to attend the final rites of Shaheed Singhs and provide help to their families. But not only the Indian government was watching Baba Charan Singh’s growing prestige, there were other Sikh leaders and so-called Mahapurakhs that did not like Baba Charan Singh outshine them. These so-called Sikhs, became the pawns of the evil-minded government and plotted to have the Baba Ji martyred. By making the services of Baba Ji a crime, raids were conducted at various places by Punjab police to arrest Baba Charan Singh even though no case was registered. 

 

The then butcher Chief Minister of Punjab, Beant Singh also sent a message to Baba Charan Singh that if attends the government conference and for a few seconds praise the work of Beant Singh and present him with a Siropa, then the police would not arrest him, rather the police would follow his orders. After hearing the offer, the Baba Ji replied, “I have been going to the stages of those who were martyred, now you want me to go to the stage of those who martyred them? That will not happen at all. They say, if I go to the stage of the government, my body may be saved, but I will be a walking corpse, my conscious will die. If I do not go, it is certain that my body will not remain, but with the blessings of the Guru, my conscious will not die, I will remain alive.” The police arrested Baba Charan Singh. 

 

Martyrdom

While going through the Malwa area, Baba Charan Singh was arrested from the Rasulpur canal bridge near village Aladinpur on 19th April 1993 by the information given to Punjab police by Mahant Sewa Das, the so-called president of the Akali Dal unit in Pheruman. Other than CIA Staff of Tarn Taran, Baba Charan Singh was kept in different police stations and was subjected to very cruel torture. Baba Ji remained in high spirits, he was taken out of police station of Kairon (Tarn Taran) at around 12:15am on 18th August 1993 with five other Singhs. The officers of the Tarn Taran district, SSP Ajit Sandhu, SP Khubi Ram, DSP Gurmeet Singh, Inspector Suba Singh, Thanedar Naurang Singh, along with a large number of police forces accompanied Baba Ji. The police took the group of Singh’s to a deserted place near the river (Hither) in the west direction from Harike Head Works, the confluence of the Sutlej-Beas rivers, and then tried to explain to Baba Ji respectfully, as if they were giving him another chance to change his stand and said, “Look Baba Ji! You are a respected figure of the Sikh community, you have done a great service since Baba Kharak Singh, leave the company of such murderers and robbers and enjoy peace. What do you want from these circles? Look! We are also Sikhs.” SSP Ajit Sandhu said, “Look! Chief Minister Beant Singh is also a Sikh. The Chief Minister has said, that without a doubt you are a great saint and a great person of the Sikh community, the head of a very large organisation, and asked me to explain to you that you should stop supporting the murderers, robbers and terrorists and instead support the government for the peace and tranquillity of Punjab. Chief Minister has made it clear that we should try our best to make you understand, if not then to just end your journey here!” Baba Charan Singh did not respond. Then, on the orders of SSP Ajit Sandhu, five Singhs that were brought with Baba Ji were shot and martyred in front of Baba Ji one by one, so that after seeing this, he might be swayed and agree to save their lives. But Baba Ji remained steadfast. 

 

Many things were said, change Baba Ji’s mind but when he did not agree, Thanedar Naurang Singh said in a sarcastic tone, “Look, SSP Ji! If Baba Ji does not agree, then what control do we have? It is his will and his fate. I say we don’t need to use bombs or bullets, let’s just tie him and drown him!” Baba Ji sat there silently, unmoved, listening to all this. SSP Ajit Sandhu started talking to the higher officials on the wireless. Baba Charan Singh started reciting Sri Jap Ji Sahib. After getting the green signal from his higher officials, SSP Ajit Sandhu ordered to tie ropes to both the feet of Baba Ji and tie the other side of the ropes to two jeeps, and to drive the jeeps in different directions, pulling and dragging them, and to tear the body of Baba Ji in two. When the body was split in two, Baba Ji was reciting the lines of Sri Jap Ji Sahib: 

 

Naa ohi mareh na thaagay jaahi.

Jin kai raam vasai man maahi.

Neither do they die nor can they be robbed, within whose minds the Lord Ram resides.

 

A unique and mysterious state, as if the entire universe was crying tears of blood, Sri Jap Ji Sahib was being recited from both parts of the split body of Baba Ji. The voice continued to ring out until the end of Sri Jap Ji Sahib prayer, and then it ended with a, “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.” History repeated itself, just as the body of blessed Bhai Mati Das Ji was cut in two with a saw from the head side, similarly the body of Baba Charan Singh was pulled apart into two pieces by the jeeps driven by the Punjab police. The bodies of the martyred Singhs including Baba Ji were tied with heavy stones and thrown into the Rajasthan feeder canal between Harike and Maujgarh. On 18th August 1993 at 4am, Baba Charan Singh became a martyr of the Sikh nation. 

 

A few months later, Shaheed Baba Charan Singh’s personal assistant, Bhai Iqbal Singh Moga was also arrested, tortured, taken to the same place for not supporting the government narrative. He was dragged by two jeeps in the same way and his body also was torn in two and martyred. At that time, the river bank linked to the industrial estate of Harike had become almost a daily scene of the police to martyr Singhs in fake police encounters. Countless Sikhs were martyred at this place. 

 

Story of Torture by Bhai Kanwar Singh Dhami

A newspaper dated 2nd December 1995 reported: ‘The statements of Akaal Federation President, Bhai Kanwar Singh Dhami and his wife Bibi Kulbir Kaur, who are currently detained in Burail Jail, were recorded in the High Court by a police team in connection with the investigation being conducted by Hon’ble Sessions Judge, Mr. G.L. Chopra on the complaint of Baba Charan Singh, being disappeared by the police. Bhai Kanwar Singh told the Court that he was with Baba Charan Singh in Tarn Taran’s police custody. Bhai Kanwar Singh told that on 17th May 1993, he was taken into custody by the police in Ahmedabad and on 18th May he was brought to CIA Staff of Tarn Taran. Here, the Tarn Taran Police District Chief, Ajit Sandhu asked him if he knew Baba Charan Singh, to which he replied that he had heard the name and has also seen the photo of Baba Ji, if he is brought in front of him, he will recognize Baba Ji.

 

Later, Baba Ji was brought in front of Bhai Kanwar Singh. The police questioned Baba Ji saying, “You give money to militants.” When Baba Ji denied this, the police officers started beating him. At night, they kept both of Bhai Kanwar Singh and Baba Ji together in a cell and tied their legs in shackles. Baba Ji told Bhai Kanwar Singh that the police had taken everything from him, his nephew, Meja Singh was killed by tearing his legs apart in front of him and they are also treating Baba Ji very badly. The police have taken his wheat worth 40 Lakh, 20 Lakh in cash and 12 Lakh worth of vehicles. Then on the evening of 19th May, Baba Ji was taken away from Bhai Kanwar Singh. 

 

After, Bibi Kulbir Kaur (wife of Bhai Kanwar Singh Dhami) told the High Court that she was bought from Baru Sahib, Himachal by the police of Tarn Taran on 19th May. She was presented in front of SSP Ajit Sandhu, who told her that her husband, (Bhai Kanwar Singh) is also here. Bibi Kulbir Kaur complained to the SSP, saying that on the way from Himachal, the police team harassed her and verbally abused her. To which the SSP replied, that was nothing compared to what’s going to happen to her now. She was then tortured by the Tarn Taran police. When she went to the bathroom, she heard a voice saying, “I am Baba Charan Singh, I am innocent, the police have taken everything of me.” For the next 2 days, everyone Bibi Kulbir Kaur went to the bathroom she heard Baba Charan Singh being tortured. 

 

The police lawyer, Amarpal Singh asked Bibi Kulbir Kaur if she could identify Baba Charan Singh? She replied with confidence that she is able to identify him and also expose the brutal torture and the extrajudicial killings that have been happening here. During the evidence heard in court, lawyers Ranjan Lakhanpal, R.S. Ankhi and Bhagwant Singh Sialka were present. All evidence has been heard and the trail will start 7th January 1996.’

 

Tavareekh Shaheed-E-Khalistan 2 – Ranjit Singh Damdami Taksal