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Shaheed Bhai Iqbal Singh Babbar
A committed soldier of the Sikh Nation remembered Bhai Iqbal Singh alias Bala, whose name figured in the hierarchy of Babbar Khalsa, could not tolerate the desecration of Darbar Sahib and Akal Takht in June 1984. He jumped into the struggle to avenge the desecration. His participation and contribution towards the cause is worth mentioning. He made history through his extraordinarily courageous acts. He targeted those who played havoc with the sentiments of the Sikh Nation. He showed the path to young Sikhs to fight for their human rights. In August 1988, Punjab police nabbed Iqbal Singh from a village in Ferozepur District. Since then, there is no official word about his ultimate fate. Although it was confirmed that after torture, the police has eliminated him but the exact date and place of his martyrdom is not yet known. On 27 August 2006, his 18th martyrdom anniversary was observed with zeal and enthusiasm. Sikh masses in large numbers attended the function that was organized by the Dal Khalsa and family members of Bhai Iqbal Singh. The Sikh Sangat mostly comprised of the families of those whose loved ones had laid down their lives while fighting with the Indian establishment. Undoubtedly, thousands have died for the sake of the Sikh nation in the last 25 years, but they have secured a place in history. Their sacrifice and dedication has emboldened the Sikh youth to contribute for the common cause. It is a particularly sad feeling that the families of those who suffered at the hands of state security forces today feel neglected. Sooner or later, we hope that the Sikh nation will definitely acknowledge their role in the struggle for Sikh freedom. Prominent among those who attended the function were Daljit Singh Bittu senior vice-presdient of SAD (Amritsar), Giani Baldev Singh, Jathedar of Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Damdami Taksal spokesman Bhai Mokham Singh besides Dal Khalsa leaders, Harcharanjit Singh Dhami and Kanwarpal Singh. The robe of honour was presented to Bibi Joginder Kaur, the mother of Bhai Iqbal Singh by the representatives of various Panthic bodies. The significant aspect of the function was the participation of family members of top Babbars that included Bhai Anokh Singh, Bhai Sukhvinder Singh Dabanwala, Bhai Ranjit Singh Tarsikha, Bhai Sukhjinder Singh Brar, Bhai Avtar Singh Phelwan, Bhai Gurmej Singh, Bhai Avtar Singh Parha. Notably, all these Sikh warriors have sacrificed their lives during the course of the struggle. Speakers paid tributes to Iqbal Singh and showered praises for his devotion towards the cause of independence. Harchranjit Singh Dhami while addressing the gathering eulogized the role played by Iqbal Singh in advancing the cause of the Sikh Nation. He vehemently declared that the struggle to break the shackles of slavery would continue till the Sikhs attained their freedom. He quoted the lines from Gajinder Singh’s verses and said “the fight will continue till the Khalsa emerges victorious”. Daljit Singh described Bhai Iqbal Singh as a great warrior who stood against all odds. Admiring his personality and the work he accomplished, Daljit Singh said Bhai Iqbal Singh fought against those who challenged the honour of the community. Kanwar Pal Singh called upon the masses to come out of slumber and recognize the role played by Sikh nationalists in the past two and half decades. “It is the right time to observe such functions so as to instill confidence amongst the masses”, said the Dal Khalsa general secretary. Bhai Mokham Singh, Gaini Baldev Singh, Dr Manjinder Singh Jandi, Sarbjit Singh Ghuman also praised the role of Bhai Iqbal Singh. |
