Shaheed Bhai Kulwant Singh Mahnke

Martyr of June 1984

 

Bhai Kulwant Singh was born to the blessed womb of Mata Gurmej Kaur and in the house of father, Sardar Isher Singh in the village of Mahnke, district Amritsar. He was one of five children, and the family earned their livelihood through agriculture on their ancestral land. As he reached young adulthood, Bhai Kulwant Singh was blessed to meet the 13th leader of Damdami Taksal, Sant Kartar Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale. Deeply influenced by his guidance, Bhai Kulwant Singh joined the institution and resided there, where he learned, trained, and immersed himself in all religious disciplines and the complete code of conduct essential to living a true Gursikh way of life. He was entrusted with many responsibilities directly by Sant Kartar Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale, all of which he fulfilled with utmost devotion and commitment.

 

Sant Kartar Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale dedicated his life to combating the harmful impact of drugs and alcohol, guiding countless individuals back to the path of righteousness. Tragically, on 3rd August 1977, Sant Kartar Singh Ji was involved in a severe car accident. The medical treatment required would have necessitated the removal of his hair, a compromise he refused. He chose to uphold his faith above all else and departed from this world on 16th August 1977, merging with Waheguru. Following his passing, the leadership of Damdami Taksal was bestowed upon Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale, who became the 14th Jathedar. Bhai Kulwant Singh continued to serve with unwavering dedication and selflessness.

 

During this period, the Sikh religious movement was gaining momentum and widespread support from the community. On 19th July 1982, Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale launched the Dharam Yudh Morcha, following the forced arrest of Bhai Amrik Singh and Baba Thara Singh during a peaceful protest. The Morcha defined the struggle of the next two years. From Manji Sahib Hall within the Sri Darbar Sahib complex, Sant Jarnail Singh Ji educated the masses, raising awareness about the anti‑Sikh actions and discriminatory policies directed against the Sikh community.

 

During the time when Shaheed Bhai Surinder Singh Sodhi was assassinated, Bhai Kulwant Singh was among the Jhujaru Singhs involved in responding to his killing. This marked the beginning of his involvement in resisting targeted anti‑Sikh aggression. Bhai Kulwant Singh held deep love and reverence for Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale and remained wholeheartedly dedicated to the movement. The situation escalated when the Indian Government launched a full-scale, army‑led assault on Sri Harimandir Sahib. General Shabeg Singh had trained and prepared the Jhujaru Singhs for the defence of the complex, assigning them strategic positions. Bhai Kulwant Singh received the same training and stood ready to defend Sri Harimandir Sahib. He was stationed at Ramgharia Bunga near the Langar Hall, where he confronted the attacking forces with immense courage alongside other Jhujaru Singhs. It is recounted that he fearlessly defended the complex grounds with remarkable precision and bravery. Bhai Kulwant Singh attained martyrdom on this battleground while defending the sanctity of Sri Guru Ram Das Ji Maharaj.

 

Information given by family of Shaheed Bhai Kulwant Singh Mahnke