Statement of Shri Baljinder Singh son of Shri Mahender Singh, (Grandfather Dalip Singh), aged about 20 years, village Ladha Munda.
I was apprentice in N.S. Valsura, Jamnagar, Navy Training Centre, since January 1982. I remained in the Centre till December 1983 and upto that period my record had been neat and clean, and there was no problem with me with the authorities. I was also for six months in the ship and my record was also neat and clean there. Then I again came to the Centre in June 1984. On 4th June 1984 I asked for leave for ten days. The Division Officer told that there was no leave for Punjab. I said I had not received any letter from Punjab and I was worried because my village is near Mehta Chowk which was in trouble. I apprehended that my parents had got some problem and that was why I had not received any letter from there.
I left the center unofficially on 12th June 1984 without leave and came to my family in Punjab, and then went back and presented myself for duty on 23rd June 1984 at the center. The officials tortured me by asking harassing and insulting questions. The officers gave me punishment as confinement in the cell for 7 days and I was further given punishment No. 8 for 28 daysi.e. one hour extra work daily and four times reporting to the officer daily for 30 days. My pay and allowance were also cut. Thereafter everything seemed to be all right. I came back on leave to my village in December 1984 and joined back on 21.1.1985.
Everything was okay at that time but once I had to give a statement against a trainee from Haryana. One Senior Division Chief also belonged to Haryana and he threatened that why I had given a statement against his “gaonwala’ (village person) and said “you shall see the result now.” Then he started complaining against me to the Senior Division officer that I was very punctual in going to Gurdwara. Whenever I get up early and wear Kirpan, he would complain against me. My Division Officer would ask me, “Which Kirpan you are wearing? Show us.” I showed him. He warned me that if I got involved in any case, I would be discharged.
Once on 1st April 1985 there was fighting between two divisions in the morning. I was only standing in verandah and watching. During investigation there was in identification parade, the injured man told the Regulating officer that I was present at the incident but I did not fight. But the authorities made a false case against me that I had fought and gave me discharge letter on 4.4.1985, without any warning. While discussing punishment, I came to know, that it was decided that I would be given punishment No. 10 for 14 days and punishment No. 1 for 28 days, but suddenly and surprisingly, the commanding officer did not ask me anything on the table and game me the following discharge letter:
““Summarily tried by the commanding officer and discharged from the naval service on disciplinary ground”. Sd/Regulating Officer for C.O. Dated 4.4.1985.
(Original letter seen)
For about 2 and half years I was okay but now suddenly their attitude changed. There was a Gurudwara in the naval center since 25 years.
There was no problem in it. But this Gurudwara was closed during Army operation. Other Gurudwaras have been reopened but this Gurudwara has not been opened till now. The authorities were partial towards the Sikhs. They would allow all South Indians, Christians, Muslims to go out of the Centre at night to observe their festivals and other occasions, but when I wanted to attend Guru Nanak Birthday in the city in 1983 and 1984, and then on Baisakhi Day in 1982 they did not allow me to go out of the Centre (Tears in his eyes). If Guru Parb is coming and there is no holiday or leave due to an apprentice, the authorities would not allow any Sikh apprentice to go out and observe and attend outside Gurudwara. But others would be allowed. If I raise any question about discrimination, they would immediately write ‘misbehaved’ in my service book.
We have done everything for this country, why are they doing nonsense with us?
