AMRITSAR All the major Sikh organizations, activists and prominent figures on Saturday gathered at Akal Takht Sahib to attend the function organization by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Dal Khalsa to pay rich tribute to exiled pro-freedom leader Gajinder Singh who passed in Lahore on July 3 after brief illness.

In memory of Gajinder Singh, bhog ceremony of Akhand Paath (uninterrupted recitation of Guru Granth Sahib) was held at Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj Baba Gurbaksh Singh situated behind Akal Takht Sahib in complex of Sri Darbar Sahib. It was followed by the tribute paying function which was addressed by Akal Takht Sahib jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh and Dal Khalsa leader Kanwar Pal Singh. Kirtan was also sung by the gurbani exponents. 

Pertinently, leaders of all the religious, political and social organizations of the Sikhs made presence on the occasion rising above all kind of differences considering Gajinder Singh a leader of entire community, who dedicated his life to its freedom and rights.  

Prominent amongst those attended the function included Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, Delhi Akali leader Paramjit Singh Sarna, Akali Dal (Amritsar) chief and former MP Simranjit Singh Mann, former Akal Takht jathedar Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode, Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu, Karnail Singh Peermohammad, Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh’s father Tarsem Singh, Bhai Narain Singh Chaura, Dal Khalsa acting president Paramjit Singh Mand, Bhai Harpal Singh Cheema, SGPC member Gurcharan Singh Grewal and Chief Khalsa Diwan office-bearers. 

While addressing, Giani Raghbir Singh said, “Founder of Dal Khalsa, Bhai Gajinder Singh made great sacrifice for the Panth making great contribution to the struggle initiated by Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. He dedicated 53 years of total 73 years his life to the Panth. He remained in exile for 29 years in struggle to achieve community’s own statehood. He never compromised on Sikh principles and bowed before the governments. He gave up all the comforts for Panth. He always raised voice against atrocities of Indian government against Sikhs through his activism and poems”. 

He said, “Indian leaders promised to the Sikhs that they would be given independent state , but they betrayed the Sikhs by never delivering the promises”.

“In 2020, Akal Takht Sahib announced a title of ‘Sikh Warrior in Exile’ for him during the tenure of Giani Harpreet Singh. In coming days, ceremony will be organized to deliver the title from the Takht to him”, he added.  

While addressing, Kanwar Pal Singh put light on the life and sacrifices of Gajinder Singh. 

Notably, militant organization Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) chief Wadhawa Singh Babbar who is living in Pakistan, former CM Beant Singh’s jailed assassins Jagtar Singh Hawara, Paramjit Singh Bheora, Jagtar Singh Tara, American Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), Sikh Federation UK and Sikh Federation America sent written messages to the function to pay tribute to Singh. 

Relatives of Singh were honoured with ‘siropa’ (robe of honour) by the Takht jathedar and the SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami. 

Giani Raghbir Singh also added that false cases are being registered against the Sikhs”. “While, some are booked for drugs, some for carrying weapons or some for talking about Khalistan”, he said. 

He added, “The government has always tried to put Sikhs behind bars. The governments have always made efforts to defame the Sikhs. These efforts are on even today. Actions are being taken for raising or writing slogans of Khalistan or for being pro-Khalistan”. 

On September 29, 1981, Gajinder Singh along with other colleagues, hijacked Indian Airline aircraft to Lahore in protest against the arrest of Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal chief Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was leading the Sikh struggle at that time. Their motive of hijacking the aircraft was to get Sant Bhindranwale released from the jail and raised the voice for Sikh freedom on global level.

From 1981 to 1995, he served life imprisonment in Kot Lakhpat Rai Jail of Lahore. Since 1995, he was in exile.