Shaheed Bhai Sukhdev Singh Bhathal

Martyr of June 1984

 

Bhai Sukhdev Singh was born in 1964 to the blessed womb of mother, Mata Parkash Kaur and father, Sardar Shaheed Bhai Mohinder Singh in the village of Bathal Bhai Ke, district Tarn Taran. He was one of five children, with two sisters and two brothers; Bibi Sukhwinder Kaur, Bibi Paramjit Kaur, Bhai Kartar Singh and Bhai Charanjit Singh. Bhai Sukhdev Singh was the eldest. Bhai Sukhdev Singh studied up to eighth grade at his local village school and then went on to work alongside his father in farming their land.

 

Bhai Sukhdev Singh was a devote Sikh and was wishing to blessed with Amrit. It so happened that Gursikhs from the Damdami Taksal came to the village and hosted an Amrit Sanchaar (Baptism ceremony). Bhai Sukhdev Singh took the opportunity and was blessed with Amrit. From this day forward, Bhai Sukhdev Singh kept very close links with the Gursikhs of Damdami Taksal. He began visiting their institutional centre at Chownk Mehta and attending all their programs.

 

During this period, Lala Jagat Narayan was killed, the police arrested Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale. Bhai Sukhdev Singh made every effort to debate and fight with the police over this matter. Due to the discriminating justice system, there was complete and utter bias against the Sikhs. The Dharam Yudh Morcha was called for, Bhai Sukhdev Singh and his entire family supported and participated with utmost dedication. It is known that his father, Bhai Mohinder Singh and Grandfather Bhai Gora Singh were popular activists of the Akali Morcha in the 1920s. So, the honour to serve and protect their Guru and Guru-panth was always instilled in this family.

 

Bhai Sukhdev Singh served alongside the Jhujaru Singhs of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale and participated in many Jhujaru actions. The police came to know of Bhai Sukhdev Singh and began keeping an eye on him. The police would show up and raid the family home a number of times claiming Bhai Sukhdev Singh was hiding and had gone underground. After this, the family permanently moved and went to stay at the living quarters in the Sri Harmandir Sahib Complex with Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale. Bhai Sukhdev Singh continued to serve selflessly and took upon any task as ordered by Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale. Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale himself was very pleased with the efforts and dedication by Bhai Sukhdev Singh.

 

The Dharam Yudh Morcha came to a peak when it was clearly indicative that the Indian Government were not going to agree to the Anandpur Sahib Resolution. In turn, the Indian army attacked the most sacred place of worship for the Sikhs, Sri Harmandir Sahib and as this was a planned attack, many other Sikh historical Gurdwaras were also attacked the same time.

 

Bhai Sukhdev Singh, his father and younger brother were part of the armed Singhs defending Sri Harmandir Sahib. General Shabeg Singh had aligned them fighting positions. Bhai Sukhdev Singh was based in the Simco building next to Sri Akaal Takht Sahib. Bhai Sukhdev Singh had LMG Firearms and fought ferociously killing thousands of Indian army men trying to enter the Sri Darbar Sahib Complex. Bhai Sukhdev Singh’s father and brother were positioned on the other side of Sri Akaal Takht Sahib at the Red Building.

 

On 6th June 1984, heavy artillery and tanks were brought in by the Indian Army and obliterated the Sri Akaal Takht Sahib and the surrounding buildings. Inevitably, all the Singhs and Singhnia fighting from these positions attained martyrdom. Both Bhai Sukhdev Singh and his father laid down their lives for the Guru and Guru-Panth with beaming smiles on their faces. Bhai Kartar Singh, the younger brother fought just as bravely and was arrested in a wounded state. Even today, he narrates the entire story as if it was yesterday.

 

Following the attack, came the rise of the armed struggle in Punjab. Bhai Sukhdev Singh’s family continued to serve the movement and contributed greatly during this period. It is known that the Indian Government made a statement that the most retaliation and that which killed the most army men came from the Simco building side of the complex. This affirms that Bhai Sukhdev Singh was very successful in fighting battle from his position. General Shabeg Singh and Bhai Amrik Singh also saw how well Bhai Sukhdev Singh had held position and the number of army men eliminated. They personally applauded him on his efforts.

 

Information given by Bhai Kartar Singh, brother of Shaheed Bhai Sukhdev Singh Bathal