By: Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer Professor of Sikh Studies In his keynote address Ragi Darshan Singh ‘said that the Convention shall discuss three points: the goal of the Sikh nation; low to achieve it; and who should lead the straggle? It is noteworthy that Darshan Singh did not invite all Sikh ‘organizations to this Convention. When the speakers were invited to give their views, youth and militant or Jujharoo ‘organizations were the first to speak. The ‘youth and the intelligentsia did not mince words and in clear tones spoke for the freedom of the Sikh nation. The atmosphere became so warm that no one dared ‘oppose them. When Ragi found his scheme being thwarted, he himself began his speech, he said,“ It is true that arms can achieve sovereignty for a nation but in different ages there are different weapons. When militants refer to arms, it was s0 when the arms were used for killing. ‘This is an age of argument and votes. Nowadays we cannot win with weapons that are capable of killing but only with the weapons of logic and vote.” Ragi Darshan Singh referred to the case of the Haryana Assembly elections, Ragi, it seems, was talking of forming a government in Punjab, The reference to assembly elections had nothing to do with the freedom of a nation, Ideologically speaking these words of Ragi Darshan Singh were the rejection of the concept of Akal Takht Sahib of which he was the caretaker. In the end, Ragi Darshan Singh, as per previous planning, broughtouta “resolution” not unlike that of Punjabi Suba resolutions of the pre1966 period. He also claimed the resolution had been adopted by the Convention. ‘The very next day Babbar Khalsa, Sikh. Students” federation, Panthic Committee, Khalistan Liberation Force, Khalistan Commando Force, Bhindranwala Tigers etc. made statements rejecting the resolution. They declared that the goal of the Sikh nation was nothing less than complete freedom. The youth organizations Called Ragi Darshan Singh a “traitor” and ‘a “tout of the Hindu regime.” At this, on August 8, 1987, Ragi Darshan Singh left ‘Akal Takht Sahib and shut himself in his residence in Zirakpur. Ragi Darshan Singh’s cowardice made hire almost “silent”, On August 10, 1987, Major Narinder Singh resigned from United Akali Dal saying that Raagi’s resolution was confusing and some of his words were in contradiction of the Sikh philosophy. On August 11, Jaswinder Singh Brar suggested that the leadership of the Sikh nation should be given to the Sikh militants for at least five years. Only the Harminder Singh Sandhu group supported Ragi Darshan Singh. The caretakers of the rest of the Sikh Takhts supported a Sikh militant leadership. On October 15, 1987, the caretaker of Kesgarh Takht, caretaker of Damdama Sahib, and Head Granthi of Darbar Sahib announced that Sarbat Khalsa gathering shall be held at Akal Takht Sahib on October 22, 1987. It was the Hindu Divali day. On October 16, Sukhdev Singh Babbar withdrew his support of Raagi Darshan Singh. Bhai Jasbir Singh, too, rejected the approach of Raagi Darshan Singh. On October 18, the police arrested those who had called the Sarbat Khalsa gathering.

On October 22, 1987, the military cordoned Darbar Sahib. Curfew was imposed in the city and the surrounding areas. Not a single person was allowed to enter Darbar Sahib. Even the pries is who were to perform worship were not allowed to enter. Darbar Sahib had been besieged by thousands of soldiers. Though technically the so-called Sarbat Khalsa gathering could not take place at Akal Takht Sahib it confirmed that the Sikhs shall have to launch a long struggle for their freedom. Baba Gurbuchan Singh announced that Ragi Darshan Singh was dismissed and that he himself would be caretaker of Akal Takht Sahib, Sukhjinder Singh announced that the Sikhs were with the Panthic Committee and “Panthic Committee was the ‘war cabinet of the Sikh nation.” Babbar Khalsa (Sukhdev Singh) and Khalistan Liberation Force (Kuldip Singh Muchhal), however, refused to recognize the supremacy of the Panthic Committee. Following this, the police arrested several hundred Sikhs throughout the Sikh Home hand and some were killed in fake police encounters. age remained silent for some months, Tournnds the end of Novernber he tried his tuck again, He announced that he shall lead an Insaaf March (Justice March) in Ragi was a fallen hero and regime did not hope for much from the go he was not allowed to hold efforts and his protest procession. He, along with his allies, was arrested after the devaluation of Ragi Darshan Singh the Indian government planned to make use of Bhai Jasbir Singh. Sushil Muni, the Jain ascetic, was operating 45 an agent of the Indian regime and had bela several meetings with Jasbir Singh. On February 5, 1988, Sushil Muni asked the government to release the five priests be icing to Bhindran Mechta Jatha. On February 11, Rajiv Gandhi appreciated Sushil Muni’s statements about Punjab. After this, several meetings were held between Jasbir Singh, Sushil Muni and the mediators of Rajiv Gandhi. When major points were finalized, Bhai Jasbir Singh was released on March 4, 1988, the next day, he said, “Panthic goal is complete freedom of the Sikh religion and he had been released unconditionally.” The next day on March 6, Jasbir Singh said, “T shall give a new programme to the Sikh nation, after consulting with all sections of the Sikhs.” In another statement he said. “T shall ponder ‘over the resolutions of Serbat Khalsa.” The same day Babs Joginder Singh, grandfather of Jasbir Singh, announced that “the Crowning ceremony” of Jasbir Singh will be held at Akal Takht SahibonMarch9, 1988. This was a shocking statement. First of all Baba Joginder Singh had no authority to make such a statement. Secondly, the caretaker of Akal Takht Sahib is neither a king, nor any authority, the term crowning was an insult to the Takht. Strange was the sole of the Sikh intellectuals who, for reasons ‘best known to them, kept mum. The only exception was this writer who criticized such un Sikh statements and ceremonies. TO BE CONTINUED…

 

Article extracted from this publication >>   June 9, 1995