YUBA CITY,CA: Hundreds of Sikh men, women, and children wearing colorful turbans and traditional Sikh dresses gathered here at the Sikh Temple, Yuba City, California on a bright spring day to pay homage of martyr Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal, former Jathedar/of Akal Takhat, Amritsar. Baba Manochahal obtained martyrdom while fighting with the Indian security forces on Feb.27, 1993inRataul, India. Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal was head of the Bhindran Wala Tiger Force of Khalistan, one of the most feared Sikh freedom fighting organizations. Baba Manochahal ‘was among the most elite Sikh freedom fighters. Simply mentioning his name, just like martyr Sukhdev Singh Babbar, gave goose bumps on the skin to the Punjab police and the Indian security forces.

Leaders of several Sikh organizations were present here including the World Sikh Organization, Panthic Committee (Manochahal), and Babbar Khaisa International. ‘The program began with Shabad Kirtan which was performed by the Kirtani Jatha of Bhai Amolak Singh, Bhai Jangir Singh Mast and his Jatha sang heroic poems in the memory “of Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal. Bhai Jangir Singh Mast told the Sangat that Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal was among the injured in the first Nirankari encounter at Amritsar in 1978 in which 13 Sikhs of Sant Jamail Singh Bhindranwala’s group were martyred.

Bhai Kirpal Singh, head Granthi, Yuba City Sikh Temple paid homage to Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal. He emphasized that Spiritual power and meditation is very important in Sikhism because without spiritual power, freedom fighters cannot fight a good fight.

  • .Didar Singh Bains, President WSO (International), paid homage to Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal and mentioned that some Sikh organizations are playing in the hands of the Indian government, He asked the Sikhs to be alert He asked the Sangat to provide full support to the Sikh freedom fighters and thanked all the Sangat for coming to Yuba City.

Jathedar Jit Singh Babbar, Chief, Babbar Khalsa International (USA), paid homage to Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal and said that he had the opportunity to Meet with Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal some years ago. He ‘said that Baba Manochahal was a Saint and soldier of the highest order.

Bhai Tejinder Singh (Canada) paid tribute to Baba Manochahal and said that had Baba Manochahal showed any kind of weakness, the Sikh struggle for Khalistan would have taken a totally different tum. ‘He said that no Sikh organization or Akali party tried to claim the body of Baba Manochahal. He thanked the area Sangat for supporting Baba Manochahal and his organization.

Bhai Gumam Singh Pumma (WSO) said that Baba Manochahal had fought the longest among all Sikh freedom fighters. Admiring his courage and determination, he said that Baba Manochahal escaped nine times from the police dragnet. In some cases, he was able to escape even when was very seriously wounded. Bhai Gumam Singh Pumma mentioned that Baba Manochahal’s two cousins, one younger brother have been also been martyred by the Indian security forces. He added that Baba Manochahal’s 11 year old son has been tortured to death by the Punjab police.

Dr.Gurcharan Singh Dhillon (President WSO,USA) paid homage to Baba Manochahal and said that the prize for Baba Manochahal’s head was 25,00,000 Indian rupees. As a result he was subject to repeated police raids; He added that several policemen had lost their own lives while trying to collect that sum. Two cousins, one younger brother and an 11yearold son of Baba Manochal were martyred by the police. Many of his relatives have suffered greatly. His father was shot at and injured by some misguided Sikhs, Dr.Dhillon emphasized that freedom fighters should not be called traitors. He said that as human beings the freedom fighters are subject to making mistakes, but we should not doubt their intentions.

Bhai Davinder Singh Babbar paid homage to martyr Baba Manochahal and applauded his contribution to the Khalistan movement. He added that the Indian government is miscalculating the power of Khalsa Panth. Bhai Davinder Singh Babbar said that the Sikhs must get united to fight the powerful enemy. He added that we need to keep at bay those Sikhs who enter the Sikh Organizations and try to derail the Khalistan freedom movement.

Several other Sikhs leaders and speakers including Bhai Vichitar Singh and Bhai Daya Singh paid tribute to Baba Manochahal. Bhai Hari Singh Everest (stage secretary) mentioned that there is a need to create a credentials committee among the Sikhs to screen out the bad elements that can creep into Sikh organizations. Bhai Hari Singh thanked the entire Sangat for coming to Yuba City from faraway places.

Article extracted from this publication >>    March 26, 1993