Every day, the Sikh Panth honours and recalls the sacrifices of those Singhs and Singhnees who attained Shaheedi in the annals of Sikh history in the Sikh Ardaas with the verses:
ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਸਿੰਘਾਂ ਸਿੰਘਣੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਧਰਮ ਹੇਤ ਸੀਸ ਦਿੱਤੇ, ਬੰਦ ਬੰਦ ਕਟਾਏ, ਖੋਪਰੀਆਂ ਲੁਹਾਈਆਂ,
ਚਰਖੀਆਂ ਤੇ ਚੜੇ, ਆਰਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਚਿਰਾਏ ਗਏ, ਗੁਰਦਵਾਰਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਲਈ ਕੁਰਬਾਨੀਆਂ ਕੀਤੀਆਂ, ਧਰਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਹਾਰਿਆ, ਸਿੱਖੀ ਕੇਸਾਂ ਸੁਆਸਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਨਿਬਾਹੀ, ਤਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਕਮਾਈ ਦਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਧਰ ਕੇ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਜੀ! ਬੋਲੋ ਜੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ! ਪੰਜਾਂ ਤਖਤਾਂ, ਸਰਬੱਤ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਧਰ ਕੇ ਬੋਲੋ ਜੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ!
In the Sikh Panth the concept of Shaheedi is given utmost veneration and hailed as a divine blessing, given to the exalted few that are worthy of this selfless sacrifice. Shaheedi is metamorphosis of a soul to a spiritual state of becoming a witness (ਸਾਖੀ) to the principles of Truth and Oneness Universality, no longer bound to worldly attachments, delusions, fears and allegiances. ਮੁਰਦਾਹੋਇਮੁਰੀਦਨਗਲੀਹੋਵਣਾ। ਸਾਬਰੁਸਿਦਕਿਸਹੀਦੁਭਰਮਭਉਖੋਵਣਾ।
(ਭਾਈ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਵ:੩,ਪ:੧੮)
On Vaiskahi 1978, thirteen Gursikhs also became worthy of this blessing and attained this gift. Those Gursikhs were not just ordinary individuals, but saintly personalities whose jeevans permeated with the fragrances of Naam and Banee and Khalsa Rehit, and consequently lived and died as true knights of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji and invigorated the Sikh Nation through their sacrifice. In solidarity,they sacrificed their lives for the sake of the Panth in upholding the honour and respect for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. A true tribute to these Shaheeds is in recognizing their ultimate act of selflessness, unity and oneness that their sacrifices represent. In the same manner,we must also learn to rise above the differences that divide us and embrace the principles of oneness of universality and Panthic unity.
Partition of Indian subcontinent. Sikhs received many promises by the Central State Government. Most of these promises went unfulfilled. Amongst other insults, the Sikh Faith was categorized within Hinduism in the Indian Constitution.
Beginning of Punjabi Suba Movement, initially seeking a state for Sikhs, but later softening to mandate a Punjabi linguistic oriented state.
Thousands arrested in relation to Punjabi Suba Movement. On Vaisakhi 1955, Sikhs gather in Amritsar and the government imposes a ban on slogans supporting Punjabi Suba, leading to open conflict with the police. Protests against the ban continued, culminating in a Police attack on the Sangat gathered at Sri Darbar Sahib.
Punjab further deprived of its rights, losing more land share to Himachal Pradesh and Haryana due to restructuring on linguistic basis. Akali Dal, which was initially formed to fight for the rights of Sikhs, rises in Punjab
Anandpur Sahib Resolution put forward by Akali Dal, demanding Sikh Rights and more autonomy for Punjab.
Increase of Beadbi incidents in Punjab. Indira Gandhi implements State of Emergency on the entire country after being accused of elections fraud in order to prevent prosecution or any legal action against her.
Partition of Indian subcontinent. Sikhs received many promises by the Central State Government. Most of these promises went unfulfilled. Amongst other insults, the Sikh Faith was categorized within Hinduism in the Indian Constitution.
Increase of Beadbi incidents in Punjab. Indira Gandhi implements State of Emergency on the entire country after being accused of elections fraud in order to prevent prosecution or any legal action against her.
Punjab further deprived of its rights, losing more land share to Himachal Pradesh and Haryana due to restructuring on linguistic basis. Akali Dal, which was initially formed to fight for the rights of Sikhs, rises in Punjab
Beginning of Punjabi Suba Movement, initially seeking a state for Sikhs, but later softening to mandate a Punjabi linguistic oriented state.
Anandpur Sahib Resolution put forward by Akali Dal, demanding Sikh Rights and more autonomy for Punjab.
Thousands arrested in relation to Punjabi Suba Movement. On Vaisakhi 1955, Sikhs gather in Amritsar and the government imposes a ban on slogans supporting Punjabi Suba, leading to open conflict with the police. Protests against the ban continued, culminating in a Police attack on the Sangat gathered at Sri Darbar Sahib.
Protests erupt across India against Indira Gandhi. Approx.140,000 protesters are arrested of which ~30% are Sikhs.Deeply agitated by the widespread resistance amongst the Sikhs, she made it her mission to destroy the morale, honour and independent spirit of the Sikhs.
Indira Gandhi is funding and supporting the anti-Sikh Nirankari cult. Her support gives this cult an invitation to openly attack Sikh Gurus, Gurmat and the Sikh population.
The Sant Nirankaris were the creation of the Government of India. The cult was created to Divide the Sikhs. They received support from across the Indian political spectrum, including Indira Gandhi`s Congress party and the Janata Party (now the BJP).The Indian Express (Chandigarh Edition) featured a report by Sat Pal Baghi in late April 1978. He felt that the Indira Gandhi actively supported the Nirankaris saying:“The genesis of the real trouble between the Nirankaris and the Akalis goes back to the years when Indira Gandhi headed the Union Government. She wanted to weaken the Shiromani Akali Dal, but found that the Akalis could not be brought to heel. She thought of an elaborate plan to strengthen the Nirankari sect not only in Punjab, but throughout the country and abroad also. Official patronage was extended to the Nirankaris much to the anger of the Akalis who have always considered the Nirankaris as heretics. In pursuit of this policy to divide and rule, Indira Gandhi personally gave clearance for a diplomatic passport to be issue to the Nirankari Chief, and the Indian High Commissioners and Ambassadors abroad were instructed to show him respect and regard. This was meant to help the Cult improve its image and increase its following abroad.”
GURBACHAN PUT HIS FOOT ON SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JEES SAROOP
CREATED SAT SITAARAY (SEVEN STARS) MIMICKING THE PANJ PYAAREH
CALLED HIMSELF EQUAL TO SRI GURU NANAK DEV JEE
TRAINED AN FORMED AN ANTI-SIKH MILITIA.
PEOPLE WITHIN THE CULT WERE APPOINTED POSITIONS OF “BHAI MARDANA”,
“BHAI BALA”, “BHAI GURDAS”, BEBE NANAKI AND “BABA BUDDHA”ALONG WITH OTHER HISTORICAL SIKH PERSONALITIES
CALLED HIMSELF GREATER THAN SRI GURU HARGOBIND SAHIB JEE BY SAYING “YOUR GURU FREED 52 PRISONERS, BUT I HAVE FREED 64 PEOPLE”.
CALLED SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI A BUNDLE OF PAPERS
CRITICIZED AND MOCKED GURU SAHIB THROUGH THEIR TEXTS TITLED
AVTAR BANI & YUG PURASH.