SikhRI is a global non-profit organization providing educational resources to Sikhs to think critically based on Guru Granth Sahib’s paradigm of IkOankar.
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ALT TODAY IN SIKH HISTORY October 30, 1922 Massacre at Panja Sahib Took Place
ALT On this day in 1922, the Panja Sahib massacre occurred, resulting in the deaths of two Sikhs and injuries to eleven others. The incident resulted from the ongoing Morcha (protest) that began in Aug 1922 at Guru ka Bagh gurduara. The British authorities were arresting numerous Sikhs during this period. On the night of 29 Oct. 1922, Sikh prisoners from Guru ka Bagh were being transported by train from Amritsar to Attock. The train stopped at Rawalpindi on the 30 Oct., just after midnight, for a staff change. The sangat (congregation) of Hasan Abdal at Panja Sahib gurduara prepared langar (community meal) to serve the detained Sikhs, intending to stop the train at Hasan Abdal station.
ALT However, the station master informed them that the train wouldn't halt. Undeterred, Bhai Karam Singh exclaimed, "Baba Nanak stopped a mountain here with one hand. Cannot his Sikhs stop a train?" Karam Singh lay down on the tracks. Next to him lay Bhai Partap Singh. Ganga Singh, Charan Singh, Nihal Singh, Tara Singh, Fakir Singh, Kalyan Singh, and many other Singhs and Kaurs also sat on the tracks. The train began to blow its whistle, but the Sikhs refused to move. Finally, the train hit Bhai Karam Singh and Bhai Partap Singh. The train conductor would later say that the train’s brakes activated themselves without his having pulled the lever.
ALT Bhai Karam Singh and Bhai Partap Singh were grievously wounded, and many others were injured. They insisted that instead of tending to them, the sangat should serve langar to the Sikhs on the train. Karam Singh, 30 years old, would die a few hours later. Partap Singh, just 24 years old, would die the next day. The Sikhs of Panja Sahib had sacrificed their bodies for the privilege of serving langar to their fellow Sikhs.
ALT TODAY IN SIKH HISTORY October 29, 1921 SGPC Asks for Keys to Sri Harimandir Sahib’s Treasury
ALT On this day, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) asked Sundar Singh Ramgharia, the Sarbrah (manager) of Sri Harimandar Sahib, to relinquish the keys to the treasury of Sri Harimandar Sahib to the SGPC. This transfer was essential as long as the keys remained with the Sarbrah and the government retained nominal control. In response, Amar Nath, the assistant commissioner of Amritsar, raided the house of Sundar Singh, seized the keys, and refused to turn them over. This led to the popular agitation known as the Chabia Da Morcha, a movement to regain the keys to Harimandar Sahib’s toshakhana. Baba Kharak Singh, a prominent leader, spearheaded the Chabia Da Morcha. Several significant Akali figures, including Kharak Singh, were arrested during the agitation. Eventually, the government agreed to hand over the keys to them on the Gurpurb of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib on 3 Jan. 1922. However, the Akalis insisted on releasing all Sikhs detained during the agitation before accepti
ALT Baba Kharak Singh, a prominent leader, spearheaded the Chabia Da Morcha. Several significant Akali figures, including Kharak Singh, were arrested during the agitation. Eventually, the government agreed to hand over the keys to them on the Gurpurb of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib on 3 Jan. 1922. However, the Akalis insisted on releasing all Sikhs detained during the agitation before accepting the keys.
ALT On 11 Jan., the British announced that all Sikhs arrested during the morcha would be released. However, the Akalis refused to go and get the keys from the British. They demanded that the British personally deliver the keys to them. Subsequently, on 19 Jan., amidst a special divan in front of Akal Takhat Sahib, the British officials, wrapped in red silk, handed the keys to Baba Kharak Singh. This victory of the Akalis was widely celebrated, and Mohandas Gandhi characterized it as the "first decisive battle for India's freedom."
ALT TODAY IN SIKH HISTORY October 27, 1995 Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra Tortured to Death
ALT On this day in 1995, Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra was killed by the Panjab Police after being brutally tortured for a month following his unlawful detention on 6 Sept. Tragically, his body was never found. Jaswant Singh Khalra became politically engaged after witnessing the aftermath of the Battle of Amritsar and the June 1984 Ghallughara. Motivated by the murders of two colleagues by the police, he initiated an investigation into the extrajudicial killings of Sikhs and their secret cremations.
ALT Through extensive research, he unveiled evidence indicating that the Panjab Police had executed thousands of young Sikhs and disposed of their remains without informing their families. Jaswant Singh fearlessly exposed these revelations to the world. The chilling response from the Panjab Police was, "If 25,000 have disappeared, it will be easy to make one more disappear too."
ALT TODAY IN SIKH HISTORY October 27, 1969 Darshan Singh Pheruman Dies after Fasting for 74 Days
ALT On this day in 1969, Sardar Darshan Singh Pheruman passed after a 74-day fasting period. Darshan Singh Pheruman was an activist of the independence era and was initially associated with the Ghadar movement. He had faced multiple imprisonments by British authorities and was highly respected in the Panth. By 1969, Darshan Singh had become disenchanted with Panthic leaders like Master Tara Singh and Sant Fateh Singh. He observed that these leaders would solemnly pledge in front of Guru Granth Sahib at Akal Takhat Sahib to fast unto death or even self-immolate but would eventually find excuses to abandon their vows. In response to this perceived disrespect, Darshan Singh decided to undertake a fast unto death.
ALT His goal was to showcase the strength and unwavering commitment of a Sikh's word to the Guru. In his own words, “The management of the Sikh Gurdwaras and the conduct of Sikh politics have fallen into the hands of hypocrites, styling themselves pious men and sants and those who did not wish the Panth well… The traitors of the Panth and the pious frauds, called sants, have successfully hatched an ugly conspiracy to eliminate every vestige of the wholesome influence of Sikh religion from Sikh politics with the purpose of making Sikh people… slaves of others… This grave sin can be washed away only through a genuine martyrdom… To achieve this end, I am going to lay down my life.”
ALT In August of 1969, Darshan Singh started his fast. The government jailed him, so he started his fast inside jail on 15 Aug., after which he was moved to a hospital in Amritsar. At the age of 84, he did not eat for 74 days. Throughout his fast, he remained reciting or listening to Gurbani, particularly Sukhmani Sahib. His determination remained steadfast, leading to his passing after the 74-day mark. The All India Sikh Students Federation commemorated him as the first martyr of the Sikh homeland.
