AMRITSAR SAHIB—Akal Takht Sahib appointed Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, along with SGPC President Avtar Makkar honored the family of Sardar Satwant Singh Kaleka. S. Kaleka and six others were shot on August 5, at Wisconsin’s Oak Creek based Gurdwara Sahib by a white supremacist.
The honor was bestowed at Gurdwara Manji Sahib to Bibi Satpal Kaur, wife of Shaheed Kaleka and his sons – Pardeep Singh and Amardeep Singh. Bibi Satpal Kaur was given a gold medal, while other family members received siropas from the Jathedar.
Giani Gurbachan Singh stated that Kaleka gave his life while attempting to save others. He used the word ‘Shaheed’ (martyr) to address Satwant Singh Kaleka. Makkar too glorified the sacrifice of Sardar Kalera.
Makkar stated that the SGPC had decided to also honour Lt. Brian Murphy, and he would be honored at a special program in Wisconsin by Giani Gurbachan Singh. The program at Manji Sahib was organized specially to honour the Wisonsin victims, and Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh (Damdama Sahib), Giani Mal Singh (Harmandir Sahib), Giani Jagtar Singh (Ludhiana) and Baba Harnaam Singh Dhumma were also present.
On August 5, 2012, a mass shooting took place at Oak Creek, WI Gurdwara Sahib, claiming lives of six people. The gunman was identified as a white supremacist Wade Michael Page. Page belonged to a hate group – “End Apathy” and likely shot the Sikhs due to hatred and racism. Wade also shot at responding police officers, seriously injuring Lt. Brian Murphy. After being shot in the stomach by another officer, Page fatally shot himself in the head.
