ANNAWAN, ILLINOIS—Sikhs from different party of the country remembered Bhai Satwinder Singh Bhola on June 25th as they observed first death anniversary. Bhai Bhola was a prominent leader in the All India Sikh Student Federation during the early 90s. His death anniversary was observed at his residence in Annawan, 2 hours from Chicago.
Along with being a Panthik activist since the Sikh freedom movement, Bhai Satwinder Singh Bhola was also the son-in-law of the 83 year old Sikh activist Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa who is struggling since January 2015 to seek release of Sikh political prisoners.
Following the culmination of Sri Akhand Path Sahib, his daughter Harman Kaur Sidhu gave an emotional touch to the event by singing Gurbani shabad ‘ਸਜਣ ਮੇਰੇ ਰੰਗੁਲੇ ਜਾਇ ਸੁਤੇ ਜੀਰਾਣਿ ॥‘. Bhai Bhola’s son Gurman Singh Sidhu played Tabla on this occasion.
Sikh activists from all over America gathered together on this occasion to pay homage to the patriot soul of Bhai Satwinder Singh Bhola. S. Maheshinder Singh Gulabgarh and S. Balbir Singh Chicago were also present.
Bhai Satwinder Singh Bhola played a major role in promoting the peaceful struggle of Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa for the release of political Sikh prisoners. Being an established businessman in the USA, Bhai Bhola was not only the financial backbone of Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa’s struggle; he also inspired Sikh activists and organizations to back Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa’s demands.
Bhai Bhola was murdered at midnight on August 16, 2015 outside his apartment complex in Peoria. Peoria police department confirmed that Bhai Bhola was attacked by two attackers; however, no breakthrough has been made in the case so far. FBI and local agencies are still trying to identify the suspects.
