The brave and benevolent attain honor in the world.

Guru Gobind Singh, (Vachitarnatak).

The Sikh nation pays homage to another noble soul for whom this life was but a means to a greater end. Bhai Gurjit Singh was born in Jhok Harihar village near Ferozepur to Sardarni Jarnail Kaurand Sardar Avtar Singhji Sandhu. Bhai Sahib was the youngest of four brothers and two sisters. At the time of his death, he was only 29 years old. The Sandhu family is known to be religious with strong faith in Sikh traditions .S. Avtar Singh Sandhu studied the Faith at the feet of Sant Gurbachan Singhji Khalsa and was closely associated with Sant Kartar Singh and Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale of Damdami Taksal.

Belonging to a well-established farming family of the Ferozpore area, Bhai Gurjit Singh was an Amritdhari Sikh since childhood. He dedicated his life for the Sikh nation right from his student days.

 Bhai Gurjit Singh received his B.A from D.M. College, Moga. Even as a young student he was an active member of Sikh Students Federation After his B.A., he went to Armitsar and joined the freedom movement under the guidance of Sant Jarnail Singh. He progressed to become one of the most respected youth leaders.in 1982 Bhai Gurjit Singh, his sister and her family were arrested by police at Moga. They were released after several days.

In December, 1983 he married Bib i Rachpal Kaur the daughter of Bhai  Vir Singh ( older brother of Sant Jarnail Singh) at Amritsar. Bhai Gurjt Singh and Rachpal Kaur’s betrothal ceremony had earlier been performed by Sant Gurbachan Singhji the couple was blessed with a daughter who is nearly 5 years old now.

Bhai Gurjit Singh was Sikh Students! Federation president in his district and worked under Bhai Amik Singh. He was an eyewitness to every event in June 1984 in Golden Temple attack. After Bhai Amrik Singhs death, the leadership of Sikh Students Federation passed through several hands. When Mr. Kahlon was arrested, Bhai Gurjit Singh was given the responsibility to lead the Federation. The Sikh Student Federation had passed a resolution for an independent Sikh homeland even before 1947. Bhai Gurjit Singh brought the Federation back to this line of thinking and in the mainstream of Sikh affairs at that crucial time.

Bhai Gurjt Singh revamped the Federation. He along with other Sikh leaders passed the resolution for Khalistan at the Sarbat Khalsa of January 26, 1986 and was instrumental in the formation of Panthic Committee. Under his able leadership not only did the Federation pass the resolution for Khalistan but took up arms to achieve Sikh freedom. From political student organization, the Federation had become a powerful people’s body in the fight for Khalistan.

Bhai Gurjt Singh travelled large areas of mural Punjab often walking 1015 miles at night in severe winter and even when all the roads were blocked by army or police. He was responsible for motivating Federation members to join the Khalistan Commando Force (K.CR) under General Labh Singh. It could be said that for several years General Labh Singh was the fighting arm and Bhai Gurjt Singh the political arm of the freedom movement. Once | asked him how many Sikh Student Federation members had volunteered at his behest to join the K.C .F here replied over 150,000. This was his achievement in a very short time.

In 1987, the Sikh struggle was progressing very fast .The Panthic Committee had emerged as the leading force, all Sikhs within and outside India was working together. The Indian Government was uncomfortable. It mischievously released Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode who had recently been made jathedar of the Akal Takht while incarcerated. India succeeded in creating a power struggle between the Panthic Committee and Jathedar of Akal Takht. Bhai Jasbir had no experience and either could not understand the intricacies of politics or willingly played a dirty role.

There were reports of extortion inside the Golden Temple. Bhai Gurjt Singh felt that this was wrong if it was happening and those indulging in it should be punished. He honestly tried to play a progressive role. In this atmosphere of confusion his image in some circles was tarnished. Gen Labh Singh was killed by the police in a fake encounter in July of 1988, a great hero was lost. Bhai Gurjit Singh was devastated but did not give up; he continued to fight for Khalistan.

His associate Gurjit Singh Kaka was arrested in Ladhiana. He was arrested and burned to death but the police successful in finding out Bhai Gurjt Singhs whereabouts. Bhai Gurjit was sleeping in a friend’s house at Jangpur in Ludhiana and was arrested by police. He was tortured and probably would have been killed. As we have previously published in W.S.N. (His letter) a CRPE constable was insulted by his SP. This constable was guarding Bhai Gurjit Singh. Bhai Gurjit Singh offered him a large sum of money if. He helped him get out. Bhai Gurjt Singh and Constable Subash Singh escaped soon after.

After his escape, he offered to resign as president of the SSF and work as a foot soldier in order to remove confusion and rumors about him. The leadership of S.S.F was then entrusted to Bhai Daljit Singh. Even though a lot of questions were raised by his enemies even when he was tortured he did not reveal any secrets to police. Note even a single member was. Arrested or.an man lost to police. This was period of trial for Bhai Gurjit Singh. We were.in touch with him and gave him every support. He contacted Panthic Committee members and Federation leaders and offered himself for any punishment if they could find any dishonesty in his work. Nobody was able to prove anything against him. Bhai Gurjt Singh did not form any new organization or challenge any leaders. He remained composed and calm and kept his faith. He had to remain silent for some time. However when time came he took up the arms under the leadership of Bhai Daljit Singh. Both of them were very close.

Bhai Guljit Singh worked day and night. He was one of the most wanted persons by Punjab police: There was a reward of R.s 5 lakh for his arrest. Hel was named in several cases. He was so very popular. Even a few days! Before his death he was arranging funds for the marriage of several destitute Sikhs daughters. He always put the Sikh cause before the welfare of his own family.

Knowing his end was near, he tried to accomplish too much in a short time, He was arrested, tortured and then Killed in a fake encounter. His body I was taken to the Town Hall in Moga, and cremated by police. His family was| not even informed.

“A bhog of Guru Granth Sahib and: Antimardas by family and friends took place on Nov. 12, 1991 at his home.

Although thousands of Sikhs have achieved martyrdom, Bhai Gurjit will be remembered as a hero among heroes. A good organizer, a leader, a humble person and a person of faith, he was ready to lead if needed and was ready to be led if called upon. He will always be fondly remembered by his friends and a grateful Sikh nation.

He believed: “Never to desert the battlefield, however fierce the struggle was and. to bear arms”. (Bhai Chopa Singh)

All those who knew him will miss his love and affection. The Sikh nation needs the likes of many, many Bhai Gurjit Singhs at this critical juncture He sowed the seeds of sacrifice in many hearts whom are following in his path.

“The hero is he who fights for the faith, and though butchered to bits, he abandons rot the fight”

Kabir (Adi Granth)

Fire burning. With wild rue will not cause smoke like that of afflicted hearts.

SA”DI (The Rose Garden)

Article extracted from this publication >> November 15, 1991