EXCLUSIVE: Historical Interview of Shaheed Bhai Harminder Singh Sandhu

Shaheed Bhai Harminder Singh Sandhu was a Sikh intellectual and General Secretary of the All India Sikh Student Federation (AISSF).  He was considered the political brain of the organization.  Shaheed Bhai Harminder Singh enjoyed close proximity with Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale and other prominent Sikh leaders before he was assassinated 26 years ago on January 24, 1990.

When Bhai Harminder Singh Sandhu was serving in the AISSF, Bhai Amrik Singh was serving as its president.

Punjabi version of this interview was published in February 1990’s edition of magazine ‘Sant Sipahi’. Translated version of this interview is being presented here for the Sikh24’s audience.

 

File Photo: Shaheed Bhai Harminder Singh Sandhu with great Sikh of 20th century Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale

Question: After Operation Bluestar, you were accused of being a traitor. What is your response to this?

Answer: It was purely an Indian government’s conspiracy to create illusions about me in attempt to sledgehammer our struggle for the establishment of sovereign Sikh state Khalistan. On one side I was being tortured physically and mentally but on the other side rumours were being spread about me by the Indian agencies.

I was not even informed about martyrdom of my wife Paramjit Kaur during the 1984 attack.  I don’t know what type of government agent I was [if my family and I endured so much torture]?

 

Question: How did you get to know about your wife’s martyrdom?

Answer: When the CBI team started interrogating me, I was asked to identify some photos of martyred Sikhs in the government’s record. Photos of dead body of Bibi Upkar Kaur and my wife Paramjit Kaur were also in the collection.  That’s where I got to know about their martyrdom.  Despite knowing who they were, I refused to confirm their identity.

The photos were numbered 16 & 17 in the confidential files of the Indian government.

 

Question: How did you use to spend your time Jail?

Answer: During imprisonment, I used to spend most of my time while pursuing my academic studies and reciting Gurbani. Beside Nitnem Baanis, I have also memorised scriptures of ‘Asa Di War’, ‘Shabad Hazare’, ‘Sukhmani Sahib’ and ‘Barah mah’.

I have also won gold medal in M.A. (History) from Guru Nanak Dev University.

 

Question: Are you continuing your study?

Answer:Yes, I am pursuing my Ph. D (Doctorate of Philosophy) on the Dasam Granth.

 

Question: Politically, on one side you talk of Khalistan but on the other side you supported Simranjit Singh Mann led Shiromani Akali Dal in elections. Why?

Answer: Yes, we (the All India Sikh Students Federation) supported Simranjit Singh Mann in elections as it is a way to transfer political power in this country. But our main goal is a sovereign Sikh state Khalistan which is necessary to promote Sikhi and secular politics.

As per utterances of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale, foundation of Khalistan was laid when the Indian army invaded into sanctum sanctorum Sri Harmandir Sahib.

 

Question: Which way you will espouse for the achievement of Khalistan as the militants believe in armed struggle?

Answer: Militants have adopted armed struggle against the state oppression. Our way for the achievement of Khalistan could be different but our goal is same.

To achieve Khalistan, we would have to move ahead step by step. Our initial attempt is to make government bow before Punjab masses for their righteous demands via referendum.

 

Question: Is your program of erecting Khalsa Panchayat system a step towards this?

Answer: Motive of Khalsa Panchayat system is to establish a regime of truth and righteousness on the basis of religion. In the architecture of a democracy, Panchayat is a basic unit which is capable of solving the village level issues itself.

 

Question: What type of aid are you expecting from the Sikh diaspora? Are you getting any aid currently from abroad?

Answer: Sikh diaspora is very excited about the establishment of Khalistan. Sikh bodies abroad have tendered their proposals for aid to us but currently we have refused to take any aid because firstly we want to force Indian government by raising International pressure to accept righteous demands of Sikhs.

 

Question: What are your views about old Akali Dal and SGPC?

Answer: Akali Dal has totally lost its credibility and a new leadership is emerging.  SGPC is an only Sikh institution which can become a tool for referendum on Sikh ideology but currently it needs a total transformation in its working. 

 

Question: What are your expectations from V.P. Singh led new Union government of India in relation to Punjab?

Answer: We don’t think that V.P. Singh would be able to do anything for Punjab but we would definitely give a chance to Simranjit Singh Mann led Shiromani Akali Dal to try his way.

It is our belief that the V.P. Singh led Union government won’t be able to deliver anything to the Sikhs beside ministries, and this will consequently divert Sikhs from their original goal.

 

Question: What would you say about Indian machinery’s reaction to your open stand in favour of Khalistan?

Answer:  I clearly say that I am adamant on my stance for the establishment of Khalistan and am also aware of the cheap tactics of Indian government.

I had challenged Rajiv Gandhi (son of Indra Gandhi and former Indian Prime Minister) to have live debate with me on TV on the issue of ‘Khalistan’ but he ran away.  I am adamant to dedicate my entire life for the establishment of Khalistan at any cost.

 

Question: Don’t you feel the need of personal security as all leaders these days remain shielded by gunmen?

Answer: I will never demand security from a government that attacked our sacred shrine SriHarmandir Sahib, demolished our supreme throne Sri Akal Takht Sahib, murdered thousands of innocent Sikhs and committed severe atrocities on common masses.

Also, I don’t have any threat from underground militants. But still if I fall victim to any conspiracy then I would feel myself lucky enough to have sacrificed my life for the establishment of a sovereign Sikh state Khalistan.

 

Question: What’s your stand about Sikh youths languishing in jails?

Answer: Our most important task is to get released our brothers from jails. We have clarified our stand about unconditional release of Bhai Harjinder Singh Jinda and Bhai Sukhdev Singh Sukha via media. We have also continued our efforts for the release of all Sikh prisoners.

27 COMMENTS

  1. Please remember we are no more CITIZENS OF NATIONS.

    But are

    EMPERIZENS of “THE EMPIRE”.

    One Government for all the people of the EARTH

    The Realm of Empire now extends over the whole planet EARTH

  2. Four events of

    1) Sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib
    2) Targeted Killings
    3) Coup Sarbatt Khalsa
    4) IED in Bhatinda

    is an EMPIRE sponsored programme to have a “REGIME CHANGE ” in Punjab .
    From an secular Akali -BJP government to a THEOCRATIC govt in Punjab.
    Punjabi people must vote wisely

  3. Just remember we all live in this infinite Universe. We are

    ‘SPACE- TIME travellers .”

    Going to different Planets, Galaxies and Universes as this earth is going to burn up with India,Punjab,Golden Temple in 5 billion years.

    Our future homes are in Stars and beyond may be in parallel universes.

  4. As for killing Sikhs is concerned.
    Remember India is an Empire created Nation administered by an constitution burrowed from the Empires constitution.
    If any one rebels in its realm then the empire and all its created entities react like this.
    1) Individuals :- Vaporized
    2) Groups :- Controlled Genocides
    3) Nation :- Dismantled,bombed into stone age or even, Siloconized.
    The BIG BROTHER EMPIRE is always watching us.

  5. Rajagopal Krishnan YOU AND HARINDER ARE AGENTS AND WHY YOU TALK ABOUT A NORMAL PERSON…YOU’RE A RAT, YOU’RE NOT A NORMAL PERSON, NORMAL PEOPLE DON’T WRITE THE TYPE OF THINGS YOU WRITE ON THIS WEBSITE, YOU PROMOTE MISINFORMATION AND PROPAGANDA AGAINST SIKH COMMUNITY… YOU’RE AN EVIL INDIAN TROLL SO DONT TRY TO LECTURE ME ON WHATS NORMAL AND WHAT NOT NORMAL, YOU SUPPORT A GOVERNMENT THAT HAS KILLED OVER 100, 000 SIKHS AND UNTIL THIS DAY YOUR GOVERNMENT ALLOWS MILLIONS OF CHILDREN TO BE ENSLAVED IN CHILD LABOUR AND OVER 800 MILLION PEOPLE LIVING ON LESS THEN A DOLLAR A DAY SO TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR RAT FACE IN THE MIRROR AND THINK TWICE ABOUT THIS DISGUSTING ONLINE TROLL JOB YOU’RE DOING FOR YOUR GOVERNMENT

    • THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ISIS YOU’RE JUST TRYING TO CONFUSE THE READERS, YOU ARE SPREADING MISINFORMATION AND YES KILLING INNOCENT PEOPLE IS WRONG BUT MR.FAKE HARINDER WHY HAVE YOU SUPPORTED GENOCIDE OF SIKHS IN YOUR COMMENTS BEFORE?

      • Why you using all capital letters all the time? Even your user name and also alter ego user name SURINDER KAUR are both capitalized, no one else has done this or use such capitalization, obviously same person. For your next fake Sikh account suggestion is to use lower case like normal person, may be pretend to be man also to further throw scent off trail of cowardly lying Sikhs.

      • I have not supported any Genocide least of our own people.
        I have only asked for genocider forgiveness in spirit of Truth and reconciliation and to avoid getting in the cycle of Revenge- Genocides.

  6. INDIAN GOVERNMENT AND ARMY ARE DISGUSTING CREATURES WHO MURDERED SIKHS IN JUNE 1984 then TOOK PICTURES OF EACH OF THE DEAD BODIES AND NUMBERED THEM OH YOU DISGUSTING INHUMANE MURDEROUS REGIME THE HELL WITH YOU THE HELL WITH STUPID DUMB BLIND MASTER TARA SINGH THE
    HELL WITH NEHRUS AND GANDHIS EVIL DISGUSTING CREATURES WHO STOLE FROM SIKHS AND INVADE SIRI DARBAR SAVIB AND OTHER GURDWARAS THESE DISGUSTING PEOPLE WILL ALL BURN IN HELL HOW DARE THEY THINK THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH SUCH A BIG CRIME …. RAHUL GANDHI IS GIVING SPEECHES IN PUNJAB AND QUOATING GURU NANAK HOW DARE HE, HOW DARE THESE FAKE MURDEROUS PEOPLE ACT LIKE THEY CARE ABOUT SIKHI THEY ARE DISGUSTING

    • Why you insulting Moron Singh he was Indian Government employee, he also claimed he was stationed on Indian Government payroll through Army to fight Chinese and Pakis also. May be he was one of Sikhs who attacked Golden Temple in 84, you may check and see video.

    • Of course you agree with “Miss” Kaur, it is you yourself you have agreed with. Bhindranwale and terrorist Sikh movement killed many innocent people mostly Sikhs, must be condemned fully.

      • LOL “terrorist sikh movement”….. who’s a terrorist? there is not bigger terrorist then your employer, the Indian Government, you’re Indian government is the one that showed up with hundreds of tanks and thousands and thousands of soldiers equipped with machine guns and bombs and grenades and helicopters and lethal gas and bullets and police dogs and diapers to wear under their army uniform, army boots…. etc… YOUR digusting Indian government is the biggest terrorist and the Indian army invaded punjab and cut off all of the media… why would the block all media and arrest or shoot anyone who stepped out of their home? why would they impose a curfew? why did they come on the martyrdom of the great siri guru arjun dev who is the same as guru nanak because 10 Sikh Gurus were ALL ONE LIGHT sent by GOD… why tell me why you disgusting Indian spy troll? Why this massive attack on pUNJAB IN JUNE 1984? whY THOUSANDS of sikhs killed? Why little babies killed? Why women and children killed? Why seniors killed? Why the brave sikh men killed without any proper evidence or arrest warrants or any right whatsoever to take the lives of brave Singhs? Why tell me why you disgusting Indian troll PIG, you started propganda and now you still promote your disgusting propanda… OVER 100, 000 SIKHS KILLED by your indian government and in 1978, 12 SINGHS become shaheed no one was ever arrested then after June 1984 you went on a crazy SIKH KILLING spree and no one ever arrested all these criminals still roam freely and work for congress party and have high police positions!!!! DONT YOU DARE EVER TRY TO MESS WITH ME YOU LITTLE PIECE OF SHIT WHO SPREADS HATE, PROPAGANDA, LIES, AND MASSIVE MISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN AGINST THE SIKH COMMUNITY, DONT YOU DARE THINK YOU CAN EVER WIN THE HEARTS OF REAL SIKH WITH YOUR STUPID LITTLE TACTICS ON THIS WEBSITE, YOU PROFESSIONAL TROLL AGENT FOR INDIAN GOVERNMENT GO GET LOST AND TRY TO FREE ALL THE SLAVE CHILDREN IN YOUR COUNTRY WHO ARE WORKING, GO DO SOME REAL GOOD WORK RATHER THEN BE YOUR GOVERNMENTS LITTLE DISGUSTING TROLL RAT POKING YOU’RE UGLY WRINKLY NOSE IN THE BUSINESS OF SIKHS TRYING TO CONFUSE PEOPLE ON THIS WEBSITE BY LEAVING YOUR COMMENTS THAT ARE LIES AND FULL OF HATE AND MISINFORMATION ABOUT SIKH HISTORY AND EVENTS AND THE PEOPLE OF PUNJAB, WE KNOW YOU’RE A LIAR , WE KNOW YOU ARE A LOSER, SO HOW ABOUT YOU STOP BEING A RAT AND GET A LIFE AND STOP SHITTING IN YOUR PANTS EVERY TIME THE TRUTH IS SPOKEN BY MISS KAUR

  7. When he died he had achieved SSP’s rank in Indian intelligence. General Labh Singh was tortured in front of him and he would suggest questions to be put to General Labh Singh.

    • Ummm lives lost because on Indian state terrorism purposely killing Sikhs because they were full of hate and wanted to oppress the only community in India that was spiritually, physically, linguistically, culturally and religiously very different from rest of India and had a very unique indentity and a religion is the Truth and had a REAL history and didn’t believe in any bullshit… Indian government will always fear sikhi… raj Karega Khalsa!!!

    • Ummm lives lost because on Indian state terrorism purposely killing Sikhs because they were full of hate and wanted to oppress the only community in India that was spiritually, physically, linguistically, culturally and religiously very different from rest of India and had a very unique indentity and a religion is the Truth and had a REAL history and didn’t believe in any bullshit… Indian government will always fear sikhi… raj Karega Khalsa!!!

      • Any rebellion any where in the world will invite a similar response be it Pakistan , Canada , India ,USA , Germany or France.
        All rebels against the Nation will be labelled as TERRORIST and will be dealt by the strong arms of the State which are under the control of EMPIRE ( The permanent 5 security council members of UN).
        You know what they do
        1) Individuals : Vaporised
        2) Groups : Control Genocides
        3) Nations : Dismantled by war or Nuked out .

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