Shaheed Bhai Harcharan Singh Mukta

Martyr of June 1984

 

Bhai Harcharan Singh Mukta was born in 1936, to the blessed womb of mother, Mata Basant Kaur and in the house of Sardar Nihal Singh in the village of Gaunspura, Kohli, district Patiala. He was one of six siblings: Bhai Swaran Singh, Bhai Surinder Singh, Bhai Joginder Singh, Bhai Waryam Singh and Bibi Jeet Kaur. Bhai Mukta had his Anand Karaj with Bibi Amar Kaur, and together they were blessed with three daughters: Harpreet Kaur, Daljit Kaur, and Inderjit Kaur. From his early years, Bhai Harcharan Singh possessed a rare and powerful personality—positive, fearless, steadfast, and always in high spirits. His family were well connected to the Saints and congregation of Damdami Taksal, beginning during the leadership of the 13th Jathedar, Sant Kartar Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale, and continuing under the 14th Jathedar, Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale. Bhai Harcharan Singh spent significant time in this congregation, supporting the Dharam Yudh Morcha and standing strong during the events leading up to and including the Battle of Amritsar in June 1984.

 

A Writer at Heart

Bhai Harcharan Singh had a remarkable gift for the written word. He wrote daily—capturing his reflections, poems, religious verses, and sharp political insights. His family treasures this diary to this day.

 

Service Under Sant Kartar Singh Ji Bhindranwale

During the leadership of Sant Kartar Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale, the central mission of Damdami Taksal was to spread the message of Sikhi and awaken the younger generation. During the period of the Emergency (1976-1977) in India, they organised numerous Nagar Kirtans, carried out peaceful protests—including in the grounds of Ram Leela Maidan in Delhi and openly challenged then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Sant Kartar Singh Ji Bhinfranwale inspired the congregation with the powerful slogan:

 

“Sirr Jaave Ta Jaave, Saada Sikhi Sidak Na Jaave.”

“If our head must be taken, so be it—but may our Sikhi and our principles never leave us.”

 

Thousands of young Sikhs returned to the path of Sikhi as a result of these efforts. Bhai Harcharan Singh witnessed these historic events closely and served with absolute devotion. He was deeply committed to the selfless service of Sant Kartar Singh Ji Bhindranwale. Tragically, Sant Kartar Singh Ji passed away following a car accident. It is said he refused surgery because it required removing hair, choosing instead to uphold Sikh principles even in his final moments. Bhai Harcharan Singh was present at the inauguration of the next Jathedar of Damdami Taksal, Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale.

 

Deep Devotion to Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale

Bhai Harcharan Singh Mukta held a special and profound love for Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale. He served tirelessly, participating in activist and religious campaigns—especially after the events of 1978, which ignited a wave of Sikh religious activism.

 

The Vaisakhi Massacre of 1978

A large group from both Akhand Kirtani Jatha and Damdami Taksal went to peacefully protest against the Narakhdhari gathering in Amritsar, whose leaders had repeatedly insulted Sikh principles and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj. The Narakhdhari leadership had made blasphemous statements—including referring to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj as a bundle of papers and mocking the authority of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj. Tensions had been escalating for months.

 

A group of 125 Singhs and Singhnia sat peacefully and began reciting “Waheguru.” Despite police presence, Narakhdhari followers launched an unprovoked attack, firing upon the protesting Sikh congregation and killing 13 Singhs. The police failed to intervene and later protected the Narakhdhari leader, enabling his escape. This grave injustice sparked widespread Sikh activism and further elevated the leadership of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale. In July 1982, the Dharam Yudh Morcha was formally launched. Bhai Harcharan Singh remained unwavering, standing shoulder to shoulder with Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa and the Singhs Damdami Taksal, entrusted with significant responsibilities due to his integrity, dedication, and commitment to the Sikh cause.

 

June 1984 – The Battle of Amritsar

The long-anticipated attack came in June 1984, when the Indian Government launched a full-scale military assault on the holiest of Sikh shrines, Sri Harmandir Sahib. Tanks, artillery, bombs, and tens of thousands of soldiers were deployed. The complex was shelled, the Sikh Reference Library looted and burned, and thousands of innocents were killed under a complete media blackout.

 

Bhai Harcharan Singh was among the many Singhs and Singhnia who chose to defend the Sri Darbar Sahib complex. Guided by the leadership of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale, Bhai Amrik Singh, General Shabeg Singh, and Baba Thara Singh, he fought with the courage of a lion, eliminating numerous advancing soldiers attempting to enter the complex. Bhai Mukta was positioned at Sri Akaal Takht Sahib alongside Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale Bhai Mukta fought fearlessly until his final breath. He was ultimately struck by a bullet fired by Indian forces and attained Shaheedi on the sacred land blessed by Sri Guru Ram Das Ji Maharaj.

 

Information given by fellow Singhs of Shaheed Bhai Harcharan Singh Mukta