Shaheed Bhai Baljit Singh

After passing my matriculation I joined the Sikh regimental centre. I had completed my training just before the attack on the Harimandir Sahib. We learned of the attack on Sunday 10th June while we were gathered in the regimental gurdwara. There we learned that this kadr dhari government had destroyed the Golden Temple and that our mothers and sisters were being insulted by the army of these kadr dharis. [Insult is the polite word for rape.] We couldn't bear this, so we collected arms from admin, company and Recruitment Company and killed Puri [the regimental commander] because he was stopping us from coming to Punjab. They deserved this as they disliked us anyway and were thinking badly of us. We deserted due to their enmity. The attack on the Harimandir was just the final crunch. This we could not tolerate.

After killing Puri I and other companions almost reached Lucknow before we encountered troops loyal to the government. After a battle there, some became shahid and others were captured, as our ammunition was depleted. I was imprisoned for one month and spent nine months in Garhwal. After that I was again sent back to the regimental centre. Before I had been handling weapons, but now they gave me general duty as a servant. I had to clean and polish shoes, which I did not do even in my own home. I protested and then I again deserted and came back to the village. Then in the village the agents of the kadr dhari government started harassing me. Watching them, I realised I had to do something to preserve not only myself but also our way of life.

I had first joined the electricity department and then I joined the army, without paying any bribe. I didn't know much about Sikhism but I listened to Santji's lectures and through him I learned a lot that I hadn't been taught before. We used to go to the Sikh festivals and listen to the dhadhis but the real understanding of our situation started when I began to listen to Santji. I visited him many times to listen to him. I used to go at night. He used to lecture us on Sikh principles and on how to protect them. He mentioned a lot about government discrimination against the Sikhs. He would tell us that when Darbar Sahib is attacked, that act will lay the foundation stone for Khalistan. On the question of discrimination he told us that when the Indian opposition Janata Party came to power the Pande brothers hijacked a plane in support of Mrs Gandhi. Later on they were rewarded with parlia­mentary seats. But when Sikhs did the same, for their ideology, they were treated like convicts. He used to talk about economic exploitation. We had been listening to all of this, but we did not make up our minds in any way. But when the Harimandir Sahib was attacked we were hurt. I was in the army centre at Ranchi at the time. There is a congregation in the Temple every Sunday. The granthi, who was a hawaldar [sergeant-major], conveyed the news of the Punjab situation. We felt there was no use our remaining in the regiment. We had joined for the service of the country. If the same country attacks our home, it is a very bad thing. It was quite an emotional meeting. Everyone there decided to desert.

In the Garhwal regiment, only ten out of eight hundred survived the attack on Darbar Sahib. Those that did survive were put in charge of those of us who had deserted and at the time of Mrs Gandhi's assas­sination especially, they treated us very badly. I was given general duty after a while, though usually those who are matric are given jobs such as gunners and drivers. We were refused such posts. So I applied to the Sikh commanding officer for discharge. He told me I could not be discharged. That was a decision that could only be taken by army HQ. Certainly we had planned what we did. We planned it to serve the nation [the Sikh nation]. We will serve the nation in whichever way we can. No family likes to lose a person to the underground, but my elder brother said if that is my wish, go ahead and do it. He had connections with them and in fact they got him his job. Mother was OK, too, about my joining. But my Father warned me it would be a long struggle. There was great worry about the police, since I was a deserter, but after some time the army itself dismissed me.

I've seen torture first hand in our own village. Innocent people - but usually always amritdharis - were arrested frequently. Their families used to discourage them from travelling into town for fear of arrest on the way. Eight or nine from our own village were arrested like that and two never returned. Their whereabouts is not known. When someone was arrested we wouldn't come back for a few days. Many people were tortured during the days when there was curfew and ladies used to be harassed by the CRP when they came to visit relatives who were under trials in Amritsar jail. They would be searched by them, then by women police, and electronic devices put in objectionable places. There were many people arrested from the villages and I suppose the movement has had more support in rural than in urban areas. Nevertheless, urban Sikh families who know us always give us shelter.

We had started realizing our position within India as we listened to Bhindranwale's lectures. After Operation Bluestar it became even more clear what our status is. For this reason, I've been openly with the struggle for the past six months. In each and every village to which we go now, they always say 'Give us time to serve the Panth'. They are anxious to join because they know they will be killed sitting at home or walking on the road. Then no one will know where they are. All sorts of searches are common now. We send those who are not marked by the police round the countryside with information. They also have a role in motivating political discussion. Women help us a lot. They inform the people about the current situation and initiate dialogues with them about its solution. The help of the villagers is crucial for us and without them we would have no shelter, no food and no places to move to. They do it out of their good heart and out of sympathy. Usually they are very happy to see us; especially their small children. The kids greet us with real love and affection and they want guns. 'We want a "ta" [an AK-47]' they say, 'to kill the CRP.' Not only do people give us information, we listen to their complaints. We are making contacts with other deserters. For there were many. Town Sikhs help us a lot, especially if they are in government service, and even some police too. They tell us about when there is going to be a raid. Also, those who are working for the electricity board can give us messages easily as they have security cards. The Electricity Board is very helpful. The college students are all with us and if any women are arrested, they strike. People on buses and truck-drivers carry our weapons. The targets at this moment are the paramilitary forces because they humiliate the villagers. Killing is one thing, but the way they do it is another. They beat you to death. They electrocute you; pull out your arms and legs. During all this the constables give you milk and support you. When you are on the run, the villagers conceal one; deny one's existence. Whenever anyone is arrested, they surround the police station. There are now very few village Hindus left and the ones who are, are not our enemies. Only the Hindus in towns dislike the Sikhs.

As to our future in an independent Khalistan, we must put a curb on the activities of people like smugglers and those earning high interest from doing very little work. We must place limits on wealth, stop exploitative interests and establish fair price control.

Taken from ikonkaar.blogspot.com