‘On Sunday, Sept. 21, at a special program sponsored by Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, the Sikh community of Washington, D.C, area paid tribute to the late Sirdar Kapur Singh, a great leader, scholar and philosopher among ‘Sikhs, The main speakers for the ‘occasion were Dr. Balwant Singh ‘of Bucknell University and Sardar Mangal Singh Sandhu both form Pennsylvania.

Dr. Balwant Singh hailed Sirdar Kapur Singh as one of the best intellectuals of his time, who, haying obtained his degree of moral sciences at Cambridge University in England, became an LCS. Officer at a time hardly any Sikh held any prestigious position this he pointed out, should be a matter of pride for every Sikh.

Dr. Singh further stated that inspite of his western education and exposure, Sirdar Kapur Singh never sacrificed Sikh principles and throughout his life was conscious of doing something for the Sikhs. We  as Sikhs living in the West could learn a great deal from his life in this respect.

As a politician and high ranking officer, S. Kapur Singh was unafraid to live by principles of truth his political actions were always proof of his courage and fearlessness. He could never be won over through economic or political influence. Because of his fearlessness, he was often referred to as Hari Singh Nalwa.

In addition, S. Kapur Singh was a great scholar, well versed in Sanskrit, Persian, English, Punjabi, and Hindi, He wrote many books, chief among them was his autobiography, ‘Sachi Sakhi’, Which as S, Mangal S. Sandhu pointed out is an authorities’ commentary on the dynamics of Sikh politics. His books, although tough to read, are full of deep philosophy, and we as Sikhs have a ‘great deal to gain from them, Both Dr. Singh and Mr. Sandhu stated that Kapur Singh’s greatest contribution to the Sikhs was the Anandpur Sahib Resolution, which as expressed by Mr. Sandhu, is the Magna Carta of the Sikhs. In addition this document is important for its adherence’ to Sikh principles. Although people pretend this resolution, the original is so perfectly worded that even the government of India has not been able to refute or find fault with a single line, so stated Dr. Balwant Singh. As an example of S. Kapur Singh’s superior intellectual thinking, Dr. Balwant Singh quoted the following lines from Kapur Singh’s detailing of the aims and objectives of this resolution “aims at grooming the Sikhs into a strong and sturdy nation highly educated, fully aware of its fundamental rights, very well versed in various arts and ever ready to honor the more outstanding of its sons”. Dr. Singh concluded by saying that the only appropriate way to honor a personality of the caliber of S. Kapur Singh is not to mourn his death, but to resolve by his example

‘S. Mangal Singh Sandhu concluded his remarks by stating that “in S. Kapur Singh’s death, Sikhs in general, Sikh youth in particular have lost a great leader and real model and their best spokesman”.

At the end of the program, Sardar Rajwant Singh, assistant secretary of Guru Gobind Singh

Foundation presented a resolution stating that: (1) Sikhs should appeal to the Punjab Govt. and to the Punjabi University and Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar to establish a chair in Sardar Kapur Singh’s name, (2) Shromani Gurdwara Par bandhak Comm.in India and other Sikh Organizatins worldwide should establish a scholarship for Sikh youths who are qualified to be selected for higher studies and doing research on Sikhism; and (3) Guru Gobind Singh Foundation should hold a yearly seminar on S. Kapur Singh’s birthday to generate interest within and without the Sikh community to do research on Sikhism.

Article extracted from this publication >> October 17, 1986