Shaheed Bhai Jaskaran Singh Rupana

Babbar Khalsa

Three professors of Guru Nanak University in Amritsar have wrote a book in English called

‘Terrorism In Punjab’, which is about the Khadku Singhs of Majha area who lifted weapons to fight the Indian government. The three professors are Dr Harish K Puri, Dr Paramjit Singh Judge and Mr Jagroop Sekhon. We till today do not know what research these professor did to write this book, the book states, “Terrorism in Punjab was not a secessionist force or a religious movement for Khalistan as propounded by its leaders. A majority of those who took to arms did so for some fun and adventure.”  According to the book, “38 per cent of the terrorists from these areas said they joined for adventure and thrill. Another 21 per cent said they joined due to the influence of other terrorists. For 12 per cent, the motivation was smuggling, looting, or making money. Khalistan was identified as the primary motivation by only five per cent of the respondents. Three per cent cited the influence of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Four per cent took up arms in an emotional response to Operation Bluestar and anti-Sikh riots [centered in Delhi, 1984].”

 

But the shahadat of Bhai Jaskaran Singh Rupana Babbar wrapped up all this government powered propaganda of lies to disgrace the Sikh Freedom Movement. The only son of a land lord family, the needs and requests of Bhai Sahib were instantly fulfilled by his parents. Bhai Sahib left this lavish lifestyle to go and sleep in jungles with the snakes to achieve freedom for the Sikhs. How can anyone say negative things about Bhai Sahib and the warriors of the Sikh nation?

Bhai Jaskaran Singh Rupana Babbar was nicknamed Gabbar from childhood, as Bhai Sahib had a broad built. If the singhs jokingly said, “My friend Gabbar, you have everything, why did you take this paath?” and Bhai Sahib would straight away reply, “Everything else was at home beside Sikhi. This blessing of Amrit is very expensive, I have given my head to the Guru Ji.” Bhai Sahib was well known as Babbar Rupana and Gabbar Babbar. Bhai Sahib had received the teachings of Gurmat and was always ready to sacrifice his life for the panth. Bhai Sahib never missed his nitnem and always remained focused in the Sikh Freedom Movement. Bhai Sahib use to say, “Each village should have a gurudwara, which will be open to everyone and not only one caste or community.” Bhai Sahib was against the people who kept themselves separate from minorities and said, “These people are full of ego, Waheguru will punish them in his own way.” In fact Bhai Sahib wasn’t only a soldier in the Sikh Freedom Movement, he was also a great thinker too. If the singhs of Babbar Khalsa planned any action that would jeopardise the reputation of the freedom fighters, then Bhai Sahib would speak up against such actions.

Babbar Khalsa of Mukhatsar, which is in the Malwa area had some of the greatest warriors that Babbar Khalsa had ever seen, with the likes of Bhai Harmandar Singh Grewal Babbar, Bhai Harbhajan Singh Deliyanwali Babbar, Bhai Gurmeet Singh Mukhatsar Babbar, Bhai Balwinder Singh Ganga Babbar, Bhai Kishan Singh Taamkot Babbar, Bhai Meharban Singh Bhuttar Babbar and Bhai Baldev Singh Luhara Babbar.

Bhai Sahib was married to Bibi Paramjit Kaur, sister of Shaheed Bhai Darshan Singh Ranjitgarh of Atari, district Mukhatsar. Bhai Sahib had one daughter, Bibi Ghaganjit Kaur. Today Bibi Paramjit Kaur lives in the village of Rupana, with her daughter who ties a turban. They only say one thing about Bhai Sahib, “What ever happened and is happening is under the command of Waheguru.” The family of Bhai Sahib are proud of his contribution towards the Sikh Freedom Movement. If anyone asks the way to Bhai Sahib’s house, the locals would feel honoured to guide them to Bhai Sahib’s house. The locals fully respect and feel proud of Bhai Sahib and his family’s contribution to the movement. One of the great things about Bhai Sahib was, he would buy 5-20 copies of the magazines printed by the Akhand Kirtani Jatha and give them out to the local villagers for free. This magazine was dedicated to the Sikh Freedom Movement and in every issue had the quote of gurbani on the first page,

 

Jaa Ka-o Har Rang Laago Is Jug Meh So Kahee-at Hai Sooraa.

He alone is called a warrior, who is attached to the Lord`s Love in this age.

Dhanaasree Mohalla 5

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji – ang 679

 

Bhai Sahib would follow this quote from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and also made this one of the principles of his group. Bhai Sahib was learning English from fellow singhs and Bhai Harmandar Singh Grewal Babbar.

Babbar Khalsa had now started fighting their guerrilla war with new tactics, by doing actions nationally and not just in Punjab. Babbar Khalsa wanted to drop the curtain on the national government and the evil doings. Khadku Singhs also wanted to damage the structure of Indian security forces and make them weak. To start a long term struggle, Babbar Khalsa encouraged singhs to stay at home and be a part of the political struggle, instead of going underground and being a part of the armed struggle.

Soon in this group of Malwa Babbars, a black cat had infiltrated. Black cat Raja was secretly having singhs arrested and killed. Raja was also damaging the reputation of Babbar Khalsa by carrying out looting and murders. Bhai Sahib and Bhai Harmandar Singh Grewal Babbar went to the village of Kauni, as they were given the sewa of organising the Sri Akhand Paath Sahib for the last Ardas of Shaheed Bhai Meharban Singh Bhuttar Babbar. But Raja informed the police and the Indian security forces immediately surrounded the village. In an intense encounter Bhai Sahib and Bhai Harmandar Singh Grewal Babbar fought like true fearless warriors and attained shaheedi. The Sikh nation till todays remember the words of Bhai Sahib, “If you want to win a battle, then be careful of the anti-Gurmat things and before the black cats infiltrate the, we must crush them.”

Tavareekh Babbar Khalsa – Karamjit Singh Sikhanwala