Gurbachan Singh Manochal
Baba Gurbachan Singh was the last major Sikh Resistance leader to fall. The Indian Government had put a RS 25 lakh reward on his head and was searching the entire Tarn Taran area for him, conducting 45 raids at one time to trap him. Baba Ji escaped each time and continued to be a painful thorn in India's side. When all the other Singhs had been martyred and the entire Indian Security Force was on his trail, he refused the order to go and hide in Pakistan and spit on the offer to surrender. He simply could not be caught. Even in the end, he was martyred not by police bullets, but by the betrayal of those he considered his own.
Baba Ji was a Saint-Soldier and a farsighted General.
Birth
Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochal was born on June 6, 1954 at village Manochahal in Amritsar district. His parents were Bapu Atma Singh and Mata Gurmej Kaur. His parents were simple farmers but their family had a heritage of struggle against injustice. Bapoo Atma Singh's uncle had become Shaheed in the Jaito Morcha, marching against the British Raj.
Bapoo Atma Singh and Mata Gurmej Kaur
Baba Gurbachan Singh was from childhood a very strong and muscular boy. He enjoyed wrestling and other sports. The family moved from village Manochahal to Naushehra Pannuan when Baba Ji was still young because his mother's brothers had left for Singapore and left behind a large farm that had to be maintained.
Becoming a Baba
Baba Ji was in the tenth grade when once he saw a boy inappropriately teasing and harassing a group of girls. Baba Ji grabbed the troublemaker and beat him badly. The teacher found out and in front of the entire class asked the young Gurbachan Singh to explain why he had beaten the other boy. Baba Ji explained, “Sir, he was harassing the bibis and after all, all women should be like our sisters. So, I couldn’t help myself and I did what I had to.”
The entire class began to laugh at Gurbachan Singh’s use of the word “bibis” for the schoolgirls. The teacher laughed and said, “I see! These girls are “bibis” and you would be the “Baba Ji. All students! From now on, everyone will call Gurbachan Singh, Baba Ji!”
After that day, the nickname “Baba” stuck and everyone began to call him Baba Gurbachan Singh. In the entire area, people began to know him as “Baba Ji”.
Life in the Army
Baba Gurbachan Singh completed his education and at his father’s wishes, decided to join the army. Baba Ji was 6”1 and over 200 pounds. The army happily enlisted him as an “A level” recruit. Even in the army, the name “Baba” Gurbachan Singh stuck. He was known for doing paath and being a devoted Sikh, even though he was not yet Amritdhari. Every day he dedicatedly did his nitnem. One day, as Baba Ji was doing nitnem, he fell into deep samadhi (meditation). The time for the daily military parade came and went and Baba Ji had no awareness of it. The officer in charge of the parade demanded to know where Baba Gurbachan Singh was. The other soldier tried to explain that he was meditating but the Hindu Officer had a bias against Sikhs and refused to understand. The officer went to Baba Ji and shook him into awareness. Baba Ji apologized for missing the parade and explained he was reciting Gurbani. The officer responded by making fun of the Sikh faith and insulting the Gurus. Baba Ji’s anger couldn’t be controlled and he tackled the officer. His fists flew and the officer shrieked for someone to help him. The other Sikh soldiers watching did nothing as they knew how much the officer hated Sikhs. The beating continued for some time when finally other officers came and stopped Baba Ji. Baba Ji had broken the Hindu officer’s arm and his nose. Baba Gurbachan Singh was arrested and court martialled. After a year of prison, Baba Ji left the army and returned home with a desire to dedicate his life to Sikhi.
Meeting Sant Kartar Singh Bhindranwale
Although Baba Gurbachan Singh did nitnem and had a love for Sikhi, he was still not Amritdhari. Baba Ji always attended programs by various Sants and one day he found out that Sant Kartar Singh Bhindranwale would be coming to his village for a program. Baba Ji was very moved by the katha and wanted to speak with Sant Kartar Singh. Sant Ji encouraged him to become Amritdhari and so Baba Ji did so within just a few days. After receiving the gift of Amrit, Baba Gurbachan Singh decided to travel with Jatha Bhindra(n). He became very close to Sant Kartar Singh and also learned Gurbani Santhiya and Katha. Baba Ji had memorized many banis and had a very long daily nitnem which he began very early at Amrit vela. After the passing of Sant Kartar Singh, Sant Jarnail Singh became the next jathedar of the Jatha and Baba Ji was also very close to him.
Clash with Nirankaris
In the 1970s, the Indian government sponsored Nirankari cult began to come to the forefront and publicly derided the Sikh faith and insulted the Sikh Gurus. The cult chief, Gurbachana was known to have said insulting thinks like “Guru Gobind Singh made the punj pyaray, I’ll make the sat sitaray”. He also insulted Guru Granth Sahib.
On April 13, 1978, the Nirankaris had a march through Amritsar in which slogans against the Sikh religion were shouted. Singhs from the Akhand Kirtani Jatha and Jatha Bhindran marched peacefully against the Nirankaris but were brutally attacked. 13 Singhs were martyred and many more were injured. Baba Gurbachan Singh had also taken part in this march and was shot in the arm.
When the Nirankaris continued with their insulting parchaar and were protected by the Indian Government, the Singhs began to punish the Nirankaris themselves and Baba Gurbachan Singh also wanted to join this movement. When he asked Sant Jarnail Singh for permission, Sant Ji kept saying that Guru Sahib was to take a very big seva from him yet. Sant Jarnail Singh asked Baba Gurbachan Singh to return to his village of Naushehra Pannuan and direct the building of Gurdwara Baba Dhanna Singh Kaviraj there. Baba Ji accepted this hukam and returned to his village, but visited Sant Ji regularly even after.
Relationship with Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale
Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal’s relationship with Sant Jarnail Singh was very close. Once, someone in Naushera Pannuan made the accusation that Baba Gurbachan Singh didn’t even know Sant Jarnail Singh and was using his name for his own purposes. Baba Ji gathered the Sangat and traveled to Amritsar to disprove this allegation. Baba Ji and the Sangat went to the roof of Guru Ram Das Langar and when Baba Ji told Sant Jarnail Singh about what had been said, Sant Ji replied, “Gurbachan Singh is so near to me that he can cut off my head and take it away if he wants…” When in 1982, Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale had gone to Bombay, the Indian Government thought it was the perfect time to capture him. The police surrounded the area and when Sant Ji received word of this he thought of a clever ruse. Baba Gurbachan Singh, who had been traveling with the Jatha, was about the same height as Sant Ji and wore the same style of clothes. He covered his face and lay down in Sant Ji’s bed so those watching would be fooled. Until Sant Ji had made his escape, Baba Gurbachan Singh continued to lie in bed and when he finally got up, the government agents were shocked and disappointed that their opportunity to arrest Sant Ji had passed. Later when Baba Gurbachan Singh would volunteer for different missions to punish the enemies of the Panth like Bhajan Lal and various police officers, Sant Jarnail Singh would always say, “these are all small jobs for you. I am going to take a very big seva from you eventually…” The Gurdwara in Naushera Pannuan where Baba Ji did seva was regulary visited by Singhs serving in the Movement. As the days of the attack seemed to be drawing nearer, Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale sent a message to Baba Gurbachan Singh for him to come meet him at Sri Darbar Sahib. Baba Gurbachan Singh was waiting for the opportunity. Sant Ji met Baba Ji very warmly and told him that an attack on Sri Darbar Sahib was imminent. Baba Ji requested that finally this time his seva should be accepted and he would join Singhs in defending the Complex and become Shaheed. But Sant Ji knew that this Singh would one day be a General that would shake all of India. Sant Ji said that not all the Singhs should be Shaheed in the attack. That after the attack the struggle must continue and it would no longer be a struggle for greater water rights or concessions from the Center, it would only be for independence. For Khalsa Raj. Baba Ji vowed to give his all in the fight for the Panth and for sovereignty. Sant Jarnail Singh gave Baba Gurbachan Singh a siropa and lovingly ordered him to return to his village and not return until summoned. Baba Ji knew this would be their final meeting.
Post Operation Bluestar
The attack took place and the Singhs defending Darbar Sahib became Shaheed after wreaking havoc on the Indian Army. Baba Gurbachan Singh knew that the “big seva” Sant Ji had spoken of was now at hand. Even before the 1984 attack, Baba Gurbachan Singh was a wanted man. The security forces knew he was close to Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and committed to the Sikh nation. As early as 1980 the police had once surrounded Gurdwara Baba Dhanna Singh in Naushera Pannuan where Baba Ji was doing seva and ordered Baba Ji to surrender. Baba Ji told the police party that he would change his clothes first. He went inside his room and came out with a big kirpaan. Taking it out of its sheath, Baba Ji bellowed, “Whoever has got the courage can come and arrest me”. The police party was terrified and no one approached. By this time the village Sangat had also assempled and the Police were forced to return to their stations empty-handed.
In 1981 Baba Ji had begun to carry a revolver and knew that the Sikh struggle would have to resort to arms.
Baba Ji’s heart was breaking when news of the attack on Darbar Sahib arrived. He was wishing that he too could join his fellow Singhs in defence but he was bound by Sant Jarnail Singh Ji’s orders. He knew Sant Ji wanted him to organize the Sikh Freedom movement after the attack.
When villagers began to march towards Sri Darbar Sahib Baba Ji understood their pain, but knew this would be fruitless. Thousands of Sikhs had risen up from the villages and had been mowed down by the army. Baba Ji sent messages everywhere that marching on Amritsar without any weapons was useless. They should wait for weapons and then together, with a set strategy, they would fight the government. In this way Baba Gurbachan Singh saved many lives and laid the foundation for the future movement.
After the attack, those Singhs who were close to Sant Jarnail Singh and were ready to take on the government began to have secret meetings. Reporter Dalbir Singh was a well-educated journalist who knew Sant Jarnail Singh very well. He gathered with the remaining Singhs like Manbeer Singh Chaheru (General, Khalistan Commando Force) and others and told them that a fight for Khalistan would not be useful. He said that there were not enough Singhs to fight and the Indian government had a security force that could not be defeated so easily. The other Singhs began to discuss with Dalbir Singh about what could be done. When Baba Manochahal was asked for his opinion, he said plainly, “Bhaji, the government and its agents have oppressed the Sikhs. They’ve dishonored our mothers and sisters. We are going to take justice for that. Regarding all these political issues you’re talking about, you can deal with them as you see fit.” There was no discussion left. Baba Ji was determined to keep his promise of fighting for Sikh freedom.
Through 1985, Baba Gurbachan Singh began to organize the Singhs to fight against Indian oppression. He made speeches and created popular support for an armed movement.
The police were on Baba Ji’s trail and once even managed to capture him. The CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) had sideswiped Baba Ji’s motorcycle one night and then after tying him, threw him in their Jeep. Baba Ji managed to untie himself and after pushing his captors, jumped from the moving jeep. He ran through the fields and managed to escape.
This was just the beginning. Baba Ji’s true life as an outlaw would begin after a battle in his own home village Manochahal. Baba Ji had gone to meet his family and was to spend the night in a small hut in the fields when someone informed the police. Baba Ji and his brother Bhai Mohinder Singh were asleep when the police party surrounded the hut. The head of the police party knocked on the door and shouted for Baba Manochahal to surrender. Baba Manochahal knew that the situation was dire and decided to buy some time. He demanded that the village head (sarpanch) be summoned and only then would he come out.
The police brought the sarpanch and when the sarpanch went to speak with Baba Gurbachan Singh, he tried to explain that the hut was completely surrounded. The Police again demanded that Baba Ji open the door. The sarpanch was asked to stand aside. Baba Ji then yelled from inside, “Give me a flashlight” The police were confused and asked “Why do you need it?” Baba Ji replied, “We’ve locked the door from the inside and need it so we can see the lock!” The police passed a torch through the space under the door. Baba Ji and his brother armed their assault rifles and set them on “burst”. Baba Ji threw open the door and began to fire. The CRPF officer at the door fell immediately and the others also came under fire. The Bihari officers began to run in all directions, screaming “Run ! They’re going to kill us!” Baba Ji and his brother jumped over the officers who were still lying in position. A Punjab Police officer tried to tackle Baba Ji as he was running but also failed. Baba Ji had wreaked havoc on the police and escaped. One officer thought Baba Ji was chasing him and for kilometers ran in front of Baba Ji. Baba Gurbachan Singh did not harm the poor police officer and let him go.
Establishing Bhindranwala Tiger Force for Khalistan (BTFK)
A Sarbat Khalsa was called on January 26, 1986 in which the Panthic Committee was announced to the Sikh Panth. The five members were Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal, Wassan Singh Zaffarwal, Bhai Dhanna Singh, Bhai Aroor Singh (Shaheed) and Bhai Gurdev Singh Usmanvala (Shaheed). Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaunke was appointed acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib. The Sarkar Takhat that was built by the Indian Government to stand in place of the destroyed Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib was also ordered to be destroyed. The kar seva of the new Akal Takhat building began that day. On April 29, 1986 the Panthic Committee called a press conference at Sri Darbar Sahib and made the declaration of an independent Sikh nation, Khalistan. Baba Gurbachan Singh along with the other Singhs had gone into Darbar Sahib undercover. Baba Ji tied his beard and took on the appearance of a lawyer, complete with briefcase. On April 30, Bhai Gurdev Singh was arrested and Baba Gurbachan Singh was appointed acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib. In the period that followed it was always confusing who was Jathedar as this position changed quite frequently. Baba Ji was once again appointed Jathedar on October 23, 1987. It was at this time that Baba Gurbachan Singh emerged as head of a new organization: The Bhindranwala Tiger Force for Khalistan (BTFK). Some top lieutenants who worked with Baba Ji were Bhai Sukhwinder Singh Sangha, Bhai Satnam Singh Chheena and Bhai Surjeet Singh Behla. Baba Ji’s brother Bhai Mohinder Singh also was a close associate.
Trip to Pakistan and Death of Brother Mohinder Singh
Baba Manochahal decided to make a trip to Pakistan to secure arms for the Singhs. In his absence, he appointed Bhai Mohinder Singh to supervise operations. When arms arrived, Bhai Mohinder Singh and Bhai Sukhwinder Singh had a disagreement about the distribution and both parted company. The touts of the Indian Government decided to make use of this disagreement. They tricked some Singhs working under Bhai Sangha into shooting Bhai Mohinder Singh. They were told he was a goon and terrorizing the common people. Without checking on who they were attacking, the foolish recruits ended up shooting Bhai Mohinder Singh. Baba Gurbachan Singh returned to Punjab to find out what had happened and many Singhs blamed Bhai Sangha for the death and asked that Baba Ji take revenge. Baba Ji asked for an explanation from Bhai Sukhwinder Singh and then after hearing the story simply said, “What’s done is done. In the future be sure about who it is you’re going to shoot.” The Singhs in the Jathebandi were shocked that Baba Ji would let his brother’s death go unpunished but Baba Ji insisted that the mission was Khalistan and to get caught in small personal battles was self-defeating. Bhai Sangha eventually left the Majha area and operated out of Malwa independent of Baba Ji. When eventually Bhai Sangha was martyred, Baba Gurbachan Singh expressed his sadness and when others Singhs pointed out that Sangha had left the Jathebandi, Baba Ji said, “our goal was the same. Everyone makes mistakes and we should over look them.”
Baba Ji's View on Pir's Grave and Fake Sants
In the early days of the movement, Baba Gurbachan Singh kept a hideout in the swamps of the Mand area. Here he set up some huts and also a separate hut for Guru Granth Sahib. Baba Ji would sleep on the floor and every day wake up at Amrit vela and do two hours of naam abhyaas. After, he would complete his very long nitnem and do sehaj paath from Guru Granth Sahib. Baba Ji daily completed five Sukhmani Sahibs even in the thick of battle. After his morning paath Baba Ji would read up to seven different newspapers to keep aware of events and government propoganda. He would plan strategic strikes that would weaken India’s hold on Punjab and break the occupier’s confidence. During this time, Baba Ji even had Amrit Sanchaars at this small dera for those who wanted to become Khalsa.
In Punjab you will see that at every half kilometer, there is the grave of a Muslim Pir (saint). These graves are often not even real and made just to make money. Ignorant Hindus and Sikhs even worship these graves and when going past them, villagers are very afraid. Once Baba Gurbachan Singh and another Singh were passing the grave of “Gainda Shah”. The Singh with Baba Ji stopped at the grave and because of fear, offered his respects. Baba Ji stood afar and watched all this. When the Singh was finished, Baba Ji took off his shoe, walked to the grave and began to hit it. The other Singh was terrified and shocked. But when nothing happened, and Baba Ji walked away without a word, that Singh and other villagers watching understood that the graves had no power. In Naushera Pannuan, there is a grave of a Pir that is considered holy by mothers with sons. They give their sons first pay to those looking after the grave. Baba Ji’s mother also once went to the grave and offered prayers for Baba Ji’s protection and gave Rs. 500. Baba Ji found out about this. When he went home to visit his family one night after his return from Pakistan, his sister-in-law asked, “Do Muslims also come to matha tek at Nankana Sahib?” Baba Ji angrily replied, “Muslims aren’t idiots like you who leave their own places of worship and wander about elsewhere.” The family understood what Baba Ji was referring to. Baba Ji used to also speak against fake Sants. One such Sant was thought to have magical powers. A Singh asked Baba Ji, “Don’t you feel afraid talking badly about that Sant? Aren’t you afraid of being cursed?” Baba Ji replied, “If Guru Gobind Singh’s Singhs start getting effected by the curses of these Sadhs, then what point is there in being a Singh? If these curses did effect us, I’d take my kirpan and give it back to Guru Sahib and ask him what was the point of being his Singh if we still have to fear fake Sadhs like that.”
Rise to Popularity and False Accusations
Baba Gurbachan Singh was becoming the head of a very powerful force and the people of Punjab were giving them all possible support. In the plains of Punjab, a guerrilla movement is almost impossible unless the people are willing to hide and shelter the fighters. Rural Punjab was almost completely under the control of the Singhs and the Indian Security Forces were afraid to even go near them. Baba Manochahal was respected as being one of the most wise Generals in the movement. Baba Manochahal was very opposed to waste. When in an encounter, he would stay very calm and only fire when he was sure the bullet would be effective. He once said to Bhai Surjit Singh Behla, “In an eight hour encounter I fired a total of 150 rounds. You Singhs fire so many rounds for no reason at all.” When once some Singhs of a different group killed a police informant and his entire family, Baba Manochahal met the leader of the group and said, “If he was an informant then you should have eliminated just him. Why did you kill his children..?” Baba Ji never killed a Hindu for just being a Hindu. He was completely opposed to pointless killing. In a meeting of Singhs Baba Ji explained, “A child is born and then it takes at least 18 years for him to become a man. It cannot be called humanity to mow him down based on a decision made in just a few seconds. It’s important to give people at least three chances to correct themselves. The government was becoming afraid that Punjab was slipping from their grasp. They decided to change the way in which the battle was being fought. New groups were formed under the direction of various police officers. These groups dressed like Singhs but went into villages to loot, rape and kill. After performing their disgusting deeds, they would shout Khalistan slogans and leave. The government also began to spread falsehood about Baba Manochahal that he was involved in rapes and looting and even that he had links to the government. But all these stories were false. Baba Ji always treated all women as sisters. Once the Singhs kidnapped a police officer and his wife in order to secure the release of some captured Singhs. When the police kidnapped or arrested Singh’s women family members, they were abused with filthy language and often even raped. Baba Manochahal treated the police officer’s wife like a sister and when the couple was released, just like a brother sends away his real sister, Baba Ji gave her a new suit.
The government itself had spread the rumor that Baba Manochahal had links with Buta Singh, a Congress Minister. It said that Baba Ji was not being caught because he was staying in Buta Singh’s mansion and receiving shelter there. There was of course no truth to this. Baba Gurbachan Singh used to spend his nights in fields or families houses. He traveled by bicycyle or by foot most often and lived a very simple life. Once it was raining and Baba Ji was sitting in a sugar cane field. He had spread a plastic sheet over top, but it was beginning to leak. A Singh came to meet him and Baba Ji laughed, “Welcome! Come and see Buta Singh’s mansion. Wipe your feet outside or you’ll muddy the rugs.”
Bhai Satwant Singh and Bhai Kehar Singh were hung for the assassination of Indira Gandhi on January 6, 1989. All Sikh Resistance Movement fighters organized a common Akhand Paath Sahib in their memory. Bhai Vadhava Singh Babbar sang the shabad “Sajan meray ranglay” in a very moving way and all the Singhs became emotional. All the Movement leaders were present: Bhai Vadhava Singh, Bhai Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala, Bhai Parmjeet Singh Panjwar, Bhai Charanjit Singh Channi and others. Some attempts were being made at having unity between the different groups. But as is the case with all Sikhs, there were serious differences and the Indian government too had succeeded in some ways at creating distrust. There were whispers that perhaps Baba Manochahal really was a government agent and maybe he really did allow raping and looting. As the discussions were continuing, Baba Manochahal stood up and declared, “I, Manochahal, have been accused of a lot things. I’m a government agent, I’m a looter, I’m also friends with Buta Singh. Apparently I’ve bought a lot of land in UP (using the Panth’s money). But I want to say that wherever you find this land, you can distribute it in the Panth. My fight is dedicated to Sant Ji’s words and I won’t back down from that, regardless of whether my family is finished and my children are cut to pieces in front of me. If Banda Singh Bahadur could have his child’s heart put in his mouth, why can’t I? I also tasted the same Guru’s amrit. I could be accused of anything and I wouldn’t care. All I care is that my Kalgeeya wala is not disappointed with me and then for all I care, the entire world can be angry.
