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Remembering revolutionary poet
and a rebel Gajinder Singh:
Sikh bodies eulogized his relentless fight against tyranny and
Hindu-fascism
WSN Bureau
 Remembering
its founder member Gajinder Singh, who hijacked the Indian plane in
1981 and whose name figures in the 20 most wanted list handed over
to Pakistan by the Union government, the Dal Khalsa urges the UN to
ensure that civil and political rights of Gajinder Singh are
restored and he should be granted full liberty to pursue his
personal and political life, without fear and intervention of any
kind.
The resolution to
this effect was adopted at a seminar organized at Hotel Aroma,
Chandigarh on Oct 6 on “the relevance of Gajinder Singh’s writings
in modern times”.
Party general
secretary Dr Manjinder Singh read the resolutions. It further
states; Gajinder Singh, in international parlance, is a stateless
person. Forced to live in exile, he is a person who cannot live in
his homeland as despite having undergone long imprisonment for
peaceful hijacking and despite the fact that he is entitled to the
legal defence of not to be tried for the same offence twice under
the notion of ‘double jeopardy’, the India state in a malafide
continues to place him in the “most wanted” category, and at every
juncture makes the sinister move of maligning him in the media. Dal
Khalsa, will soon petition before the world powers exposing the
truth about Gajinder Singh. Our plea to United Nations will be based
not on mercy but on grounds of justice for stateless people like
Gajinder Singh and others.
Presenting various
colours of his multi-faceted personality, the gathering described
him a revolutionary poet, the political commentator, a radical
leader and last but not the least the revolutionary.
The organizers of
the seminar gratefully acknowledge the commentary of friends,
well-wishers and political analysts about the works of Gajinder
Singh. Recognizing Gajinder Singh’s historic contribution and
planning for more, activists and well-wishers expressed gratitude to
his family which has not shackled him in any way and given him a
full opportunity to carry on his Panthic duties. They honoured Bibi
Indermohan Kaur sister of Gajinder Singh with a shawl.
In today’s meet
Ajmer Singh, author of a Trilogy on contemporary history of Punjab,
Karamjit Singh, former editor of Punjabi Tribune, Jagmohan Singh,
editor of World Sikh News, young poet and writer Sukhdeep Singh
Barnala and Prabhjot Singh, general secretary of Sikh Youth of
Punjab presented the papers on the subject.
 Speaking
at a function, the party president H S Dhami said Gajinder Singh as
a leader of the Sikh nation, through his uncompromising approach has
contributed immensely towards popularizing the nuances of the Sikh
struggle. He said he has not indulged in any petty internecine
rivalry with other organizations similarly engaged in working for
the Sikhs, as he has chosen to work on the mission in a determined
but focused manner. He has set up democratic traditions within the
Dal Khalsa –the organization that he and his associates so
steadfastly nurtured in thick and thin. He remains the guiding
force for the Dal Khalsa, which unfailingly continues to uphold the
spirit of the work started by him, said Dhami.
Kanwar pal Singh,
party spokesperson while addressing the gathering said exiled from
home, despite his growing years, Gajinder Singh yearning for
sovereignty of the Sikhs is as fresh as it was years ago. “His
writings mirror our present situation and his writings more than
relevant”. In the end, he read the message of Gajinder Singh
addressed to his fellow brethren.
Not in verse, but
in prose, on a day when activists and scholars were discussing his
life and contribution, Gajinder Singh in his written message
reaffirmed his desire and emotions to stay in exile with his head
high in rebellion rather than maneuvering to come back to present
day Punjab. He said though “I may die with our mission unfulfilled
and there is a lurking anger about this, however, I am deeply
satisfied that we have been able to keep the flag flying and the
dream alive”. “I am certain that the next generation will continue
to live the dream and realize the mission”.
In her melodious
voice, professor at Punjabi university Dr Jasbir Kaur sung the poem
“ne chiriyoo, dashmesh ne tudhe tu bazaan nu tudhvahaya se”.
The speech of Prof
Jagmohan Singh, which was an analysis of his poetry, was read by
Yashpreet Kaur, nursing teacher at SGRDMC. Interestingly, the speech
was admired by the young members present in the audience.
Celebrated author
and activist Ajmer Singh presented a comparative study of the role
of poetry in the two movements in Punjab; the Naxalite movement and
the Sikh struggle. He said that though Gajinder’s poetry was
remarkably revolutionary in nature it would not have had that
popularity which it now had but fro his actions following his
writings. Where as in the Naxalite movement even today though not
in Punjab there is space and respect for revolutionary writers. He
also made a very significant observation that “though it is required
that we be prepared for martyrdom it is not necessary that the prime
focus of our lives becomes martyrdom and martyrdom alone”. He said
“it is time to reflect on this attitude”.
Young activist
Prabhjot Singh mentioned that it is important to be aware of the
then existing circumstances of the seventies of the last century to
understand the context in which Gajinder singh wrote his poems and
articles.
Former Editor of
Punjabi Tribune Karamjit Singh said Gajinder Singh has the unique
distinction of not only being an observer of contemporary Sikh
struggle bout also being a participant in it. He has his place
firmly rooted in Sikh history as an inspiration for the young khalsa.
In his inimitable style Karmjit made a comparative study of
revolutionary poets that includes Rimboo of France, Nazam Hiqmat of
Turkistan, Fredrekoo Gartia Loarka of Spain, Pablo Nerooda of Chile,
Yanes Ritsoars of Greek.
Harsimran Singh, an
old associate of Gajinder Singh said, apart from members of his own
group, ordinary Sikhs too recognize his relentless fight against
tyranny and Hindu-fascism. Narien Singh, editor of Awaz-e-khalsa
monthly magazine said Gajinder Singh was a practical poet and a
rebel. What Gajinder preached, he did it, remarked Narien Singh.
SGPC member Karnail
Singh Panjoli, Harpal Singh Cheema, secretary general of Shiromani
Akali Dal (Panch Pardani), Rajinder Singh, chairman of Khalsa
Panchayat, Advocate Navkiran Singh, Advocate Ravinderpal Singh,
Advocate Hirdeypal Singh, Advocate Satnam Singh Walia, Sikh Students
Federation president Parmjit Singh Gazi, sub-editor of Sikh Shahadat
Sewak Singh, Dal Khalsa secretary Sarbjit Singh Ghuman, Former Akal
Federation chief Kanwar Singh Dhami, former SGPC member Amrinder
Singh, President of Sikh youth of Punjab Ranbir Singh and
vice-president Gurpreet Singh Mann were also present.
7
October 2009
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