On 13th April 1978, news was received at Sri Darbar Sahib that the Nirankari cult was holding a procession in Amritsar. Sant Jarnail Singh Ji(Bhindranwale) had an announcement made for a meeting at Ramdas Nivaas.The Sangat was well aware of the Nirankaris on going anti-Sikh activities. The Nirankaris scornfully referred to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as “a bundle of papers” and their leader had even dared to place his foot upon Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The Akhand Kirtani Jatha were holding their annual Amritsar Vaisakhi Smagam when, at around 10 o`clock in the morning, Sant Ji`s message was received.
Bhai Fauja Singh Ji heard the news from the loudspeaker when he was kneading the dough for the langar at the Akhand Kirtani Jatha Smagam. He washed his hands and rushed to the congregation. He delivered a short speech explaining the dire situation and drew a line, asking for those who are willing to accept martyrdom to cross it. After performing Ardas, the Gursikhs bowed before Guru Granth Sahib Ji and headed to Ramdas Nivaas.
Upon reaching Ramdas Nivaas they found that the Nirankari procession had ended. The Gursikhs then decided that they should go to the place where the Nirankaris had gathered to hold a peaceful but resolute protest against the blasphemous insults directed at Guru Sahib Ji. A Jatha of Singhs under the Jathdedari of Bhai Fauja Singh Ji headed to the location of the Nirankari cult gathering.
Bhai Fauja Singh Ji heard the news from the loudspeaker when he was kneading the dough for the langar at the Akhand Kirtani Jatha Smagam. He washed his hands and rushed to the congregation. He delivered a short speech explaining the dire situation and drew a line, asking for those who are willing to accept martyrdom to cross it. After performing Ardas, the Gursikhs bowed before Guru Granth Sahib Ji and headed to Ramdas Nivaas.
Upon reaching Ramdas Nivaas they found that the Nirankari procession had ended. The Gursikhs then decided that they should go to the place where the Nirankaris had gathered to hold a peaceful but resolute protest against the blasphemous insults directed at Guru Sahib Ji. A Jatha of Singhs under the Jathdedari of Bhai Fauja Singh Ji headed to the location of the Nirankari cult gathering.
The Jatha was stopped by the police outside of the gathering, from where insults against Sikhi could be clearly heard. The Gursikhs told the police that they were protesting againstthe anti-Sikh agenda of the Nirankaris, which was being demonstrated by the Nirankaris by their provocative slogans.A police officer told the Gursikhs that he would go and stop the Nirankaris and for them to remain there.He returned thirty minutes later.
The policeman returned with reinforcements and D.S.P Joshi told the assembled jatha to return because the procession had ended. However, provoking speeches could still be heard on the loudspeakers. While the Jatha was busy with the police, they were ambushed by about five to six thousand uniformed Nirankaris that rushed towards the group of about two to three hundred Gursikhs. Within seconds the massive force of Nirankaris mercilessly attacked them with pistols, rifles, spears, swords, bow and arrows, sticks, stones,acid bottles and home-made bombs. The police joined in the Nirankari attack, directing tear-gas and gun fire at the Jatha. The Gursikhs that were hit with bullets fell to the ground and were brutally butchered with swords, spears and axes.
The bodies of the Shaheeds were eventually taken to the morgue and the wounded were taken to hospital. Shockingly, the gathering of the Nirankari cult continued for three-and-a-half hours after the massacre. The D.C. of Gurdaspur, Naranjan Singh I.A.S, and other senior officers were present in the gathering and at the massacre. The authorities of the Amritsar district allowed the Nirankaris to hold their procession in sacred city of Amritsar during Vaisakhi. The Police authorities colluded with and allowed the Nirankari cult complete freedom to kill at will.
