CHANDIGARH—Bhai Baldev Singh Wadala, originally from Sri Fatehgarh Sahib is currently doing seva at Sri Harmandir Sahib as a Hazoori Ragi. He is one of the few Panthik Kirtani Jathas doing seva today. He has toured several countries doing parchar of Gurbani and raising awareness of amrit sanchaars, Dasam Granth Sahib and other important Panthik issues. He recently visited Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa at Gurdwara Amb Sahib. The following is a transcript of the interview with Bhai Baldev Singh Wadala by Sikh24 on his views of Bhai Gurbaksh Singh’s campaign.
Q: Please tell us something about Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa.
A: Bhai Gurbaksh Singh is in chardikala (high spirits). When I met him on the 17th day at Gurdwara Amb Sahib, he said he still feels like it’s the first day of the hunger strike.
Q: Please tell us about the December 4th march being organized.
A: Tomorrow we will be starting off the march from Sri Akal Takht Sahib at 9 AM. The march will go to Gurdwara Amb Sahib by going through different villages raising awareness of Bhai Gurbaksh Singh’s campaign.
Q: How many people are you expecting to take part in this march?
A: We are expecting a lot of Sangat to take part in the march from all over Punjab. Vast numbers of Panthik jathebandis have been informed.
Q: It seems like different jathebandis are coming together for this cause. What do you think?
A: Seeing Bhai Gurbaksh Singh so steadfast, everyone feels compelled to stand with him. It seems like people were testing him beforehand, but seeing him enter the 17th day of the hunger strike has shown them that he is serious about this campaign.
Q: What is the stance of the Jathedars towards the demands of Bhai Gurbaksh Singh?
A: Jathedars have visited Bhai Gurbaksh Singh already along with former DGP Shashi Kant. I was reading in the Punjab Spectrum that Giani Gurbachan Singh told Bhai Gurbaksh Singh that Badal is currently thinking about the demands that have been raised. As per a statement by DGP Shashi Kant, if Badal wants, Singhs in Punjab can be released within 1 day.
Q: After the sacrifice by Bhai Darshan Singh Pheruman, it seems like Bhai Gurbaksh Singh has been blessed by Guru Sahib to the Khalsa Panth. So many people are coming out to support him but other important figures have remained quiet. What about your thoughts?
A: I told Bhai Sahib to not worry about people supporting him or not supporting him. He should continue with his demands. In comparison to Bhai Pheruman, nothing is going to happen to Bhai Gurbaksh Singh.
The SGPC President visited him and told him to finish the hunger strike as three of the Singhs would be released shortly. However, Bhai Gurbaksh Singh told the President to continue working for the release of all Singhs. Until then, he will continue with his hunger strike.
I personally think Bhai Gurbaksh Singh is in rising spirits.
Q: How can Sikh Sangat living worldwide support Bhai Gurbaksh Singh?
A: Bhai Gurbaksh Singh himself told me that Sangat should read bani and do ardas for “chardi kala” of the Panth. This was his only request to worldwide sangat. He has said that Sikh Sangat should not donate any money even if requested to do so by anyone.
