Shaheed Bhai Hardeep Singh Rode

Martyr of June 1984

 

Bhai Hardeep Singh was born in 1968 to the blessed womb of his mother, Mata Harbans Kaur, and in the house of father, Sardar Veer Singh, in the village of Rode, district Moga. He was one of five children—one brother and three sisters: Bhai Kuldip Singh, Bibi Swaran Kaur, Bibi Paramjeet Kaur, and Bibi Rashpal Kaur. He was widely known as the nephew of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale, the 14th appointed Jathedar of Damdami Taksal. His father, Sardar Bhai Vir Singh, was the elder brother of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale. The family carried a longstanding legacy of activism, sacrifice, and unwavering high spirit. Their deep commitment to defending and preserving the sanctity of Sikhi was inherited from Bhai Hardeep Singh’s grandfather, Baba Joginder Singh Rode, who had actively participated in the Akali Morcha of the 1920 era. This lineage had long been blessed with a spirit of resilience and devotion.

 

As leadership transitioned within Damdami Taksal, Bhai Hardeep Singh and his entire family remained steadfast in their dedication to spreading the message of Sikhi. They continued to serve the congregation through selfless service and travelled across Punjab and India to uphold and share Sikh principles. In the years that followed, Punjab’s political environment shifted significantly, marked by increasing anti-Sikh actions. In response, a religious and social movement became necessary to counteract these injustices. Consequently, in July 1982, Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale launched the Dharam Yudh Morcha. During this period of mass protest and voluntary arrests, countless individuals stepped forward to offer themselves for custody. Among them was Bhai Hardeep Singh, who gave his voluntary arrest multiple times in solidarity with the movement.

 

When the attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib unfolded in June 1984, many Singhs and Singhnia took their positions to defend the holiest site of the Sikh faith. Among those who stood in resistance in this battle alongside Bhai Hardeep Singh was his uncle, Bhai Jangir Singh, who fought side-by-side with Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale. Bhai Jangir Singh’s son, Bhai Sarwan Singh Rode, also joined the Jhujaru Singhs in defending Sri Darbar Sahib. Bhai Jangir Singh attained Shaheedi while defending Sri Darbar Sahib as the Indian Army advanced with tanks, infantry, commandos, and heavy artillery. Bhai Sarwan Singh too attained Shaheedi while positioned at the Ramgharia Bunga.

 

Bhai Hardeep Singh fought on the front lines alongside many other Jhujaru Singhs who resisted the assault. With courage equal to the great warriors of the time, he too attained Shaheedi on the battleground—the same battleground where Shaheed Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale, Shaheed Bhai Amrik Singh, Shaheed General Shabeg Singh and Shaheed Baba Thara Singh took their final breaths resisting oppression and upholding their principles with unwavering resolve.

 

Information given by the family of Shaheed Bhai Hardeep Singh Rode