CHANDIGARH, Punjab—On March 31st, another Sikh political prisoner will be executed at the hands of the India Government. Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, who is currently lodged in the Patiala Jail, is serving a sentence for his involvement in the execution of then Chief Minister, Beant Sinh outside the Punjab secretariat in 1995. Although his death sentence was capable of appeal, Bhai Rajoana instead willingly expressed his desire to be put to death instead of showing any faith in the widely acknowledged to be corrupt Indian justice system.
Bhai Rajoana – Guilty of Bringing Mass Murderer to Justice
Although Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana has confessed his involvement in the assassination, it is most important to note that Beant Sinh was responsible for mass genocide of the Sikhs in the 1980s and early 1990s. Beant Sinh misused his powers to terrorize the people of Punjab, killing tens of thousands of innocent Sikhs. Beant Sinh was a close associate of Indira Gandhi and had pledged to wipe the name of Sikhs from the State of Punjab.
It was on August 31, 1995 when Beant Sinh was executed outside the Punjab Secretariat for his crimes against humanity. Shaheed Bhai Dilawar Singh Babbar acted as a human bomb to eliminate the mass murderer and rid Punjab of further genocide against innocent civilians. According to court findings, Bhai Balwant Singh was good friends with Shaheed Bhai Dilawar Singh Babbar. He allowed for meetings to take place at his residence and also worked to arrange for clothing and the car that was used in the assassination plot. He, along with Babbar Khalsa Chief Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara, was found “guilty” of masterminding the execution of Beant Sinh, CM. Four others were also declared guilty by the court in this case.
Denies Faith in Indian Justice; Upholds Own Execution
Ever since being awarded capital punishment, Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana has refused to appeal his court sentence. In a letter written to the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana expressed that he has no faith in the Indian Judiciary. He mentions that the Indian Judicial System does not apply to the killers of countless Sikhs; therefore he has no belief in such a system. It should be noted that upon being asked several times, Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana refused to utilise the services of a lawyer and also declined to cross-examine any of the witnesses.
In the same letter, Bhai Balwant Singh writes that Indian Justice has allowed the Harimandir Sahib to be attacked and the Akal Takht Sahib to be reduced to rubble, without taking action against those that instigated such attacks on the Sikh religion. Bhai Balwant Singh also writes that along with Sikhs, Muslims and Christians have also suffered at the hands of the corrupt Indian Government but no one has sentenced those responsible for genocide against minority communities.
Panth’s Jathedar and Leaders Fail to Secure Life of Bhai Rajoana
None of the Panth’s Jathedars has shown interest in safeguarding the life of a Sikh who is responsible only for helping to plan the execution of a mass murderer who would not let up on his genocide campaign. Had any Sikh leader wished well for the community, they would have worked to bring mass murderers of the Sikh community to justice and have Sikh freedom fighters released from the Jails of India.
Similarly, none of Punjab’s eminent politicians have also shown the courage to back up the demand of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana’s release. Notably, his death sentence will be the first blow to the Khalsa Panth after the re-election of Parkash Badal as Punjab’s Chief Minister.
The Last Desire of a Noble Sikh
It is without a doubt to any Sikh that Bhai Balwant Singh is not guilty of any crime, but worthy of an honor for stopping a mass murderer in his tracks. Just like Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana bestowed life to the people of Punjab by planning the assassination of Beant Sinh, his nobility came to light in the form of his last will.
In his will, Bhai Balwant Singh expressed no desire to live, but to allow others to experience life. In the form of an appeal to then Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, on June 17, 2008 Bhai Balwant Singh expressed his desire to donate his eyes to Hazoori Ragi Bhai Lakhwinder Singh, a soorma Singh (blind at birth). Bhai Rajoana expressed that he wishes to always have the sight of Sri Harimandir Sahib. If such is not possible for any reason, his eyes could be donated to anyone else. He also expressed his desire to donate all parts of his body to cure others.
Final Destination – Example for Generations to Come
“My comrades died in the hope that I share their sorrow; if I keep quiet then their souls would not rest in peace and haunt me continuously.” Note by Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana found in Ambassador Car parked outside the Punjab Secretariat. This car was probably used by Shaheed Bhai Dilawar Singh Babbar to reach his final destination.
In a similar courageous fashion, on March 31st, another brave son of Guru Gobind Singh Ji will give up his life for the cause of the Khalsa Panth—but the freedom movement against tyranny and oppression will continue. Bhai Rajoana’s execution will set another example for the Sikhs to fight against injustice.
I think what Bhai Rajoana is doing is what a real sikh should do we don’t need to make a plea with the government to let him go then we’re showing that we’re weak and Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Sikh are not weak and will never be.
Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana Φ KHALISTAN ZINDABAAD Φ
These actions by Hindustan govt will only show Sikhs how much that we need our own nation.
KHALISTAN. OUR HOMELAND. SIKH HOMELAND
KHALISTAN ZINDABAD.
/OSGC
Harvin H Singh @ Man i have no words i cried while reading that letter :( waheguru ki ka khalsa waheguru ji ke fateh
I hope the decision gets changed about his hanging. Perhaps there will not be another leader like him. We need him.
@charan singh.. his legal name was beant “singh” but some Sikh publications don’t wish to grace those people with the name given by Guru Gobind Singh sahib to his Sikhs, so they use the colloquial punjabi Sinh.. prounounced “sio” or “syo”
I think that’s the reasoning.
The person that was assassinated – is his name Beant Sinh or Beant Singh? I have read other articles which refer to him as Singh. Please can someone clarify this.
Mai uuhna sikha di shaheedi nu west nahi jaan da ga
I agree with Bhai sahib not plea for his life in front of this corrupt n blind Indian system, but at the time when he liberated us from minister Beant Sinh’s evil terror, he gave our sikh community a new life and I think if he lives longer, he can show thousands of ways to sikh community to fight for justice and live a worthy life. In any way, Bhai sahib ji will teach us all to make our life meaningful. Sometimes I wonder that being a son of Guru Gobind Singh ji, what have I contributed to the souls of our gurus, it’s almost nothing. So now I try to spread awareness and a reason to make our life more meaningful by walking on the footsteps of our Gurus.
Waheguru Bhai Balwant SIngh ji te ohnna di family nu charhdi kala che rakkhe. I feel like killing that judge who gave death sentence to Bhai sahib!
Waheguru ji ka khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh!
Letter to Bhai Rajoana from a Khalistani brother
published in Sikh Press Newspaper today.
To my brother, Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana.
I sit here in my bedroom repeatedly watching videos of you on Youtube.
I find myself happy and full of power but as emotion takes over, I find myself holding my 3.5 year old daughter and her asking “daddy why are you crying?” I respond, “they are going to take away our hero”.
In June 1984, I was just 3 years of age and now I am a grown man 30 years old with two kids of my own.
I have the same pain in my heart about what the murderous government of India has done to our people. I see the people of Punjab falling deeper and deeper into things that are very far from the ideologies of Sikhi and the teaching of our forefathers.
Well maybe I am a bit confused. You’re going to be hung at the end of this month, yet there is more and more chardi kala in your step, your comments, and even the wraps of your turban are crisp and clean. I guess this is what happens when you are in total chardi kala.
One with god, conviction, feeling of freedom.
Freedom from the raping and killings at the hands of the Indian Government. In your comments you always talk about never bowing down to the tyrants that killed and raped us. Khalistani is what you say you are.
I have never been to India or Punjab for that matter. I take pride in my identity as a Khalistani.
Rajoana veer, how can I pay my debt to you? That’s the question that keeps coming up in my thoughts. Or maybe you are paying your debts to people like Shaheed Sukha and Saheed Jinda. I don’t know.
But what I do know is this: when I see pictures of you in handcuffs with your beautiful flowing beard and your family by your side, I feel that your absence in their life will be very hard and extremely tragic, but the feeling of you being a Shaheed will be very empowering. May God bless them and the support they have given you.
One comment that sticks out to me is that in your letters to the Hyrana court system, you clearly dictate to them that you will not be appealing your death sentence. Stating that you do not wish to beg before the system that violates the human rights of Sikhs.
Don’t people see that this is what Chardi Kala is about?
The fact that you are giving your eyes and every single body part and organs up for donation shows that this is not defeat for you. This shows the world what the Sikh way of life is all about.
Rajoana veer, here in Toronto we have people who sell their souls for visas and lavish dinners in expensive hotels. I am sorry Sikhs put their turbans at the feet of the Indian Government every day, while you joke and mock them and tell them to take your life.
The power within you should be in every Sikh’s being. I salute you my brother. Forever will Balwant Singh Rajoana live in our hearts and the great victorious day when we liberate Khalistan will be the day that you will feel proud of the efforts of the brothers and sisters you are leaving behind.
In conclusion, I can only offer this to a brother in death row.
What you did was commendable by the highest of all supremes.
We the Sikhs of the world, look up to your stature and just like you, we smirk at the Government of India and ask: what will you do when there are thousands more Rajoanas out there? Will you hang us all?
As I conclude this I want to leave you with what my daughter said to me: “daddy don’t worry we will ask baba ji for another hero”.
Khalistan Zindabad
Harvin H Singh
I’m a fourteen yaer old girl and I felt this is a very heartfelt message and that the sikh nation should read and realize what a sacrifice Uncle ji (Baba ji Balwant Singh) is making. All sikhs should take a stand and help Uncle ji out!! This is what i think and some people moght not agree!! But we all have to be one!
Not all sikhs every individual should get up and take a step ahead .. and i will do the same if guy was brown white black yellow .. sikh , hindu , muslim , jew, race and evrything that devides us.I stand for peace .And this time central govt. of india is wrong .And who am I .. I am one of you .Don’t follow what i say , i am doing me .Research and Follow what your heart says .Stand for right things .Stand for truth .