AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—Top Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader and former member of Indian Parliament, Harbhajan Lakha, took Amrit from Panj Pyaras (Five beloveds of Guru) at Sri Akal Takht Sahib on the 30th anniversary of June 1984 holocaust, changing his name to S. Harbhajan Singh Khalsa.
Lekha was a close ally of Babu Kanshi Ram, founder of BSP and has been struggling for the rights of Dalit community. He was elected as MP in 1989, and in 1996.
He arrived at Sri Darbar Sahib leading a massive march. The march started from Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh which was also taken part by Nihang Singhs and Gatka Parties.
After becoming Amritdhari Sikh, he paid obeisance at Sri Darbar Sahib where he was presented a siropa (robe of honour).
While speaking with Sikh24 correspondent from Amritsar, he said he was going to launch third freedom struggle where the voice of marginalized sections of the society would be raised and their rights would be secured.
He mentioned particularly that at once Dr. B.R. Ambedkar also wished to be a Sikh by having Amrit but Brahmnical elements within Sikh community did not allow fulfilling his wish, following which he inclined toward Buddhism, along with a large number of his supporters. Harbhajan Singh said he was trying to fulfill the wish to Dr. Ambedkar.
“We will fight for the cause of backward sections and spread the Sikh principals that teach the lesson of equality and caste-less society to the mankind “, he added.