Shaheed Bhai Sarwan Singh Vaarha Sher Singh

Martyrs of June 1984

 

Bhai Sarwan Singh was born to the blessed womb of mother, Mata Balwant Kaur and in the house of father, Sardar Buta Singh in the village of Vaarha Sher Singh, district Tarn Taran. His family arranged his Anand Karaj (wedding) with Bibi Gurvinder Kaur. They were blessed with five children. Bhai Sarwan Singh was a devote Gursikh and was brought up in the congregation of Sant Giani Kartar Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale, the 13th head of Damdami Taksal. Bhai Sahib was well aware of the political situation of Punjab and fully supported the movement to protest against the oppression inflicted on the Sikhs of Punjab.

Bhai Sarwan Singh lived a Gursikhi lifestyle and did not waiver from his principles. He had great love for Gurbani and was punctual on his daily Nitnem (daily prayers). He would mostly be seen reciting Gurbani whilst carrying out his daily activities and would meditate on Waheguru daily.  He lived and breathed Sikhi and adorned full Gursikh Bana (attire). Many in his area knew of him and he was well respected and thought of in high regard. Sant Giani Kartar Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale would regularly visit Bhai Sarwan Singh and his family at their humble home. His entire family would serve Sant Giani Kartar Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale and the Jatha of Singhs wholeheartedly and with great dedication. The family were so well regarded and loved that Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale took it upon himself to arrange Bhai Sarwan Singh’s sister’s marriage to Bhai Gurmail Singh Rode. The Anand Karaj was attended by many Jhujaru Singhs of the time who then went on to attain Shaheedi in the Battle of Amritsar in June 1984.

During the time of the Dharam Yudh Morcha, initiated in 1982, Bhai Sarwan Singh participated in the protests and gave himself up for self-arrest many times, spending much time in jail. Then the greatest of all sacrifices, Bhai Sarwan Singh was fully aware of the situation at Amritsar during the lead up to June 1984 attack and so he bid his family a final Gurfateh (farewell) and went ahead to join the Jhujaru Singhs at the Sri Darbar Sahib complex. He was led under the command of none other than the great Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale.

The Indian Government attacked Sri Darbar Sahib on 1st June 1984. The Jhujaru Singhs were already prepared for such an attack and with the strategic planning by General Shabeg Singh, all defence points had been set up. Bhai Sarwan Singh’s defence point was close to Shaheed Bhai Rasal Singh Arifke’s location (near Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Bunga). All the Singhs returned fire ferociously and fearlessly, dropping the Indian soldiers like flies. The exact day during the battle, of when Bhai Sarwan Singh attained Shaheedi is not known, but it is said he died fighting like a lion against the Indian Army and was one of the gems who laid down their lives in honour of protecting Sri Harmandir Sahib and Khalsa Panth. We will forever remain indebted to these brave Shaheeds.

 

Information given by the family of Shaheed Bhai Sarwan Singh Vaarha Sher Singh