“True Lord, may my body be a sacrifice unto your feet, Guru, father, may I not show my back in the field of battle, and may I be martyred battling the enemies of the faith. Guru, Father, have mercy on me, may the enemy’s bullets not hit my back, may I take them upon my chest. Satguru, do not think of my faults, please let me embrace your feet.”
This was Bhai Mengha Singh jee's daily prayer before the Guru.
On 1st June 1984 at around 12pm, Bhai Kulwant Singh, known as 'Bhai Mengha Singh Babbar', became the first martyr of the Sikh holocaust. The CRPF and the BSF opened a rain of fire upon the Singhs at Sri Darbaar Sahib, Darshani Deeorhi (the gates leading to Sri Darbaar Sahib), Langar Building and Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib. Bhai Sahib was at Gurdwara Baba Atal Sahib tower and took up a position there, killing three attacking soldiers. This warrior’s confidence increased and he went up to the top most floor of Baba Atal. A sniper fired at Bhai Sahib and the bullet hit him in the forehead. Bhai Sahib fell to the ground, but when a nearby Singh asked “Mengha Singh!!! How are you??” he replied “Chardi Kalaa!!! ("in rising spirits!")”
The Singhs were informed that Bhai Sahib had been hit and Bhai Manmohan Singh and others were sent to retrieve him. The Singhs with great effort in the rain of bullets brought Bhai Mengha Singh down from the top most floor of Baba Atal and carried him to Guru Nanak Nivaas. There were no medical facilities or doctors, but the Singhs cleaned the wound and dressed it. Around this warrior Gurbani began to be recited and only after the completion of Sukhmani Sahib did he go and take his place at the feet of the Guru.
All the Jathebandis in the complex, upon hearing the news of the Shaheedi did a final Ardaas for Bhai Mengha Singh, and upon seeing the Shaheed for the final time, heaped praise upon his bravery. Whoever meditates upon the Guru with a pure heart, for certain, gets the reward. May we be a sacrifice unto this first Shaheed, this blessed soul. This was the first Shaheed who’s body was cremated in the Darbaar Sahib complex, despite the protestations of the SGPC president. Bhai Sahib was cremated close to Sri Manji Sahib.
Caption reads: "The last "Waheguru Jee Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Jee Kee Fateh" to her beloved son from his mother."
Information taken from NeverForget84.com website.
Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru Pyaare
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