On this day 6th January in 1989, in the early morning�at four o’clock, twenty seven year old Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh (uncle of Shaheed Beant Singh) were led to the hangman�s noose. Their voices could be heard from outside the jail, shouting, “Bole So Nihal ! Sat Sri Akaal!”, as they both stepped forward and kissed the hangman�s noose.�
From 1966 to 1984, Indira Gandhi had led her country autocratically � the supreme power was concentrated in her hands and was not subject to external rules or laws. She operated under a cloud of political corruption and the final manoeuvre that cost her life was the June 1984 attack on the Golden temple in Amritsar, when she ordered the Indian military to storm the Sikh�s holiest shrine resulting in thousands of innocent pilgrims losing their lives and the shrine itself suffering immense damage. Sikhs were incensed and history dictates that whoever looks at Amritsar, with an evil eye to destroy it, such as Massa Rangarh or Ahmad Shah Abdali, they themselves have been destroyed.�
On 31st October 1984, bravehearts Satwant Singh and Beant Singh, knew the consequence of their actions would be certain death, but also knew that any leader who purposely slaughters thousands of her own citizens for no reason other than to keep her grip on power, has to be brought to account. Satwant Singh and Beant Singh saw with their own eyes, the destruction of their holiest shrine followed by the mindless killing of thousands of innocent Sikhs across Punjab. In fact, they felt honoured to be the ones who lifted the heads of the Sikh Nation.
After shooting dead Indira Gandhi, both Singh�s stated “we have done what we needed to, now you can do what you have to” and placed their weapons on the floor. Only then were they arrested and dragged away to be interrogated by commandos. The Singh�s were severely abused and a struggle broke out. Although he was unarmed, Shaheed Beant Singh was gunned down and killed on the spot. Satwant Singh was seriously injured but the authorities, intentionally, did not remove one bullet which was lodged near his spine, continuously causing him great pain.
Shaheed Bhai Satwant Singh was born in 1962 in the house of Tarlok Singh and Pyar Kaur, in the village of Agwan Kurd (Gurdaspur). He had three brothers and a younger sister. Satwant Singh was educated to a higher secondary level and joined the Delhi Armed Police. He was a very handsome young man and an excellent sharp shooter. As a result, he was later posted to the personal protection force of the Prime Minister. From the period of 1981 to 1984, he was the personal bodyguard of Indira Gandhi.
Satwant Singh was engaged to Surinder Kaur and was due to be married earlier in 1984. However, he was unable to get leave from work so the wedding was delayed. After his arrest, Satwant Singh was kept in Tihar jail in Delhi for 5 years. His fiance was prevented from seeing him, stating that she could only visit once they were married. So, Surinder Kaur decided she would marry a photo of Satwant Singh, and the authorities could not use this excuse. Her family were concerned with her decision as they felt the brutal Indian regime would not deliver justice and there was no hope that Satwant Singh would ever be free. Surinder Kaur responded that as Gurbani states �every person has their death written by Waheguru before they are even born on this earth. Just as your last breath has been written, in the same way my decision to marry Satwant Singh cannot change either. If it is written that he is going to die by hanging, then that will happen. The integrity of the Sikh Nation was destroyed by Indira Gandhi, my husband took the dastaar of the Sikh Nation and replaced it on its head and I could never turn my back on such a great man. I am ready to face whatever comes my way in the future and will spend my whole life as the widow of Satwant Singh. Until my last breath, I will never allow a stain on the respected dastaar of Satwant Singh, my father or that of my father-in-law”.�
Due to the strength and will of Surinder Kaur, she was allowed to marry the photo of Satwant Singh, in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji on 2nd May 1988. Bibi Surinder Kaur kept her word until her last day when she passed away from cancer. She was widely respected in the Sikh Nation for her dedication to the memory of Bhai Satwant Singh.
Satwant Singh�s lawyer, Bhupinder Singh Sodhi, was the last to visit Satwant Singh in Tihar Jail. In an emotional meeting, he says Satwant Singh was in such Chardi Kala that he felt truly blessed to have been able to fight the case of a Lionheart.�
