Often in the midst of time people forget the sacrifices of the brave. Some of us might not even know of these sacrifices so let me shed some light on how Darbar Sahib (The Golden Temple) was saved by brave Hindus.
Darbar Sahib also called Harmandir Sahib, interestingly Harmandir is also spelled Harimandir (Mandir of Hari), is the main gurdwara for our Sikh brothers and sisters. It has rightly become the most important pilgrimage site not just for Sikhs, but also for people of Indic faiths.
Let me take you back to the days of the partition. It was 6th March 1947; a Muslim League mob marched towards Darbar Sahib from Sherawala Gate to Chowk Fawara. As they marched, they screamed ‘leke rahenge Pakistan jaise jeeta tha Hindusthan’. Their intent was clear, and the call went out to none other the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for help. In their greatest moment of need it was the RSS that gathered their swayamsevaks to become a living human shield to protect Darbar Sahib. The Muslim mob fled when they saw the wall of men in their Khaki shorts, and on that day both pilgrims and Darbar Sahib were saved.
History records that Dr Baldev Prakash (chief of RSS in Amritsar), along with the town pracharak Dr Indrapal, and Goverdhan Chopra who oversaw morning shakhas led the RSS human shield operation.
However, this was just the start. On 9th March 1947 uniformed Muslim National Guards and the Muslim League mob orchestrated their second attack from three sides. Once again, a call for help went out to the RRS. Durga Das Khanna, in-charge of the Karyalaya RSS office assured them of their safety. On this occasion the RSS took a different approach. Rather than defend like a victim, they organised themselves to also attack if necessary. It was not long when both sides clashed, but on this occasion the Muslim League mob got a thrashing they would not forget. They ran away of course. And in the streets, you could hear, ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and ‘Sat Shri Akaal’.
Forward 37 years and the Khalistani extremists had taken over Darbar Sahib. In effect, they held Darbar Sahib as hostage. Darbar Sahib, the place for upliftment and enlightenment had become a bunker full of weapons, enough to start a mini war. On what planet can any true Sikh believe this desecration to be acceptable?
What followed in 1984 was intolerable. However, let us be clear, it was at the behest of the then Congress Party and their goons that led to the deaths of so many of our Sikh brothers and sisters. The root cause was the extremist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale who wanted to not only hijack Darbar Sahib, but also the Sikh faith. Today we witness these Khalistanis gathering in Canada, America and UK under the pretence of their Sikh heritage. They do so with assistance from Islamic extremists and Pakistan of course. That should tell you everything you need to know about these imposters. Our Gurus gave up their lives, and those of their family, to protect Bharat from Islamic invaders. And today we are left to witness how some dishonour that sacrifice by being in bed with the enemy.
Be it the RSS, the BJP or even Congress, let us be clear, there is no such thing as the perfect organisation. They make mistakes, some even fatal. What matters is what they do when the nation and its citizens are in danger. On that front, the RSS have historically proven to be sevaks for the nation who will cover your back in times of crisis.
