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Garma
Garam More |
A Saga of Sacrifice & Struggle |
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Saka Nankana
Sahib
In
October 1920 A.D., a congregation was held at Dharowal, District Sheikhupura for
reform in Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in which the leaders revealed to the gathering
of devotees, the misdeeds being committed inside the Gurdwara. Gurdwara Nankana
sahib was highly revered as it is the birth place of Guru Nanak, a city named
Nankana Sahib came up around the Gurdwara which is now in Pakistan. At meeting
,it was unanimously resolved that the Mahant be asked to mend his ways. When
Mahant Narian Dass was asked to reform himself, he started making preparations
to oppose the Panth (Sikh community) instead. He did not feel it necessary to
pay heed to the suggestions of the Committee. He was the owner of the estate
attached to the Gurdwara with an income of one hundred thousand rupees besides
the offerings of the Gurdwara.
In the
meeting of Parbhandak Committee at Gurdwara Khara Sauda on 17th February,
1921 A.D., was decided that two jathas (squads) one led by Bhai Lachhman Singh
and the other by Bhai Kartar Singh Virk (alias Jhabbar) should meet at Chander
Kot on the 19th February. From there Meanwhile in accordance with the original programme, Bhai Lachchman Singh reached Chander Kot on the night of the 19th February with his squad of one hundred and fifty Singhs. He waited for the squad of Bhai Kartar Singh Jhabbar for some time and before the arrival of Bhai Waryama Singh with news to not to led squad to Gurdwara, Bhai Lachchman singh said to the Singhs of his squad, "When we have started for a good cause, we should not waste time." All members of the squad agreed. Bhai Lachhman Singh got a promise from the squad not to strike and remain peaceful come what may. After that the squad prayed for their success of their nobel resolve. When, after, the prayer, the Squad was about to move forward, Bhai Waryam Singh arrived. He showed them the letter about the new decision of the Committee. Bhai Tehal Singh Said, "Dear Khalsa, we have taken our resolve at the prayer (Ardaas)and cannot turn back now. It is imperitive for us to move forward." The squad as a whole moved forward following Bhai Tehal Singh. The Squad arrived at Nankana Sahjib on 20th February, bathed in the pool and entered the Gurdwara at 6 A.M. Bhai Lachchma Singh Sat in 'Taabiya' (Behind Guru Granth Sahib). The Mahant had got the news of the squad's arrival at Chander kot on the 19th February evening. He had gathered his men at night and briefed them about their duties. After the squad had sat down, the Mahant signalled his men to carry out the predetermined plan. The Mahant's men closed the main gate and started firing from roof tops. Twenty-six Singhs became martyrs to those bullets in the courtyard while another sixty or so sitting inside the Darbar Sahib became targets of bullets. When the Mahant's men saw no one moving, they came down with swords and choppers. Any Singh they found breathing was cut to pieces.
At 9.15 a.m., Sardar Uttam Singh conveyed the news by telegram through Sardar Karam Singh Station Master at Nankana Sahib Railway station to the Governore of Punjab, commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of police and Sikh centres. Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Curry reached at 12:30 P.M. while Commissioner, Mr. King arrived at 9.30 P.M. They arrested twenty PAthans and locked the Gurdwara. City was handed over to Army which cordoned it to restrict any Akali movement to take over Gurdwara. Sardar Kartar Singh Jhabbar arrived with his Squad on 21st February. Commissioner informed him that if he tried to enter city with his squad army will open fire. Kartar Singh Jhabbar and his jatha of twenty two hundred Singhs did not listed to commissioner and kept on moving towards city. At end, Commissioner Mr. Curry handed over the keys of Gurdwara to Bhai Kartar Singh Jhabbar. At 7.30 P.M. on the 22nd february, the bodies were cremated according to Sikh tradition. An urdu newspaper called 'Zamindara' wrote in its editorial of 23rd February, 1921 A.D., "what more proof of shamelessness of muslims is required than that they have helped the Mahant. O, Shameless Muslims, isn't the cup of your shamelessness and impudence full as yet? You used your guns and swords against those who went to Nankana Sahib to perform religious duties. You are not fit to be called Muslims. You are worse than infidels." Mahant, 20 Pathans and other of his group were sentenced by British. Only Mahant and couple of Pathans got death sentence for this crime of more than 50 murders. Excerpts
taken from these books.
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they were to reach Nankana Sahib early in the morning of the 20th February to
talk to the Mahant. Seeing the preparation of the Mahant, the Parbhandak
Committee held a meeting in the office of Akali Patrika (News paper) on
the 19th February in which it was resolved that squads should not be taken to
Nankana Sahib on teh 20th February. Bhai Kartar Singh Jhabbar was present in the
meeting. He was informed about the new decision and was told to inform Bhai
Lachhman Singh and he took the responsibility to do so. Bhai Kartar Singh
Jhabbar immediately dispathed Bhai Waryam Singh to Chanderkot so that other
squad could be stopped.
At
the sound of the gun-fire, Bhai Dalip singh and Bhai Waryam Singh who were
sitting in the factory of Bhai Uttam Singh, got up and rushed towards the
Gurdwara. When the Mahant saw them coming, he shot Bhai Dalip Singh with
his pistol while his men cut Bhai Waryam Singh to pieces. They threw their
bodies into kils where other bodies were also burning. When no Singh with hair
could be seen upto the railway line, the Mahant asked his men to collect all the
dead bodies, pour paraffin and burn them. The body of one alive singh was tied
to a tree and burnt.