Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa || Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh ||
On this Shubh (auspicious) day, we at the Sikh Organisation for Prisoner Welfare (SOPW) wish everyone a very happy and high-spirited Vaisakhi (Sikh – Khalsa’s founding and Punjabi/Indian New Year centred around the Harvest Festival).
May Waheguru (God) bless us all with a celebration that illuminates the entire universe in this dark age where injustice, hardships and other forms of life’s struggles permeate.
“… Maeraa Prabh Sabh Kishh Jaanadhaa ||
Pragatt Prathaap Varathaaeiou Sabh Lok Karai Jaikaar Jeeo ||17|| Maerae Gun Avagan N Beechaariaa ||
Prabh Apanaa Biradh Samaariaa ||
Ka(n)t(h) Laae Kai Rakhioun Lagai N Thathee Vaao Jeeo ||18||
“…My God knows everything.
He has made His Glory manifest, and all people celebrate Him. ||17 |
He has not considered my merits and demerits;
this is God’s Own Nature.
Hugging me close in His Embrace, He protects me, and now, even the hot wind does not touch me. ||18||”
On the 13th April 2012, Vaisakhi, between the hours of 0900hrs and 1130hrs in the Patiala Jail, Gursikh volunteers from SOPW were allowed to enter the prison and in very much the tradition of the Khalsa, were permitted to hold a Kirtan Diwan (religious hymn singing ceremony). All prisoners were allowed to attend including Zinda Shaheed (Living Martyr) – a title conferred by the Sikhs highest temporal authority, Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib and coined by Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar – on death row themselves – in reference to all political prisoners on death row) – Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana.
Inmates from Patiala Jail
Congregation
SOPW recognised the convictions and respect for human life of the Patiala Jail Superintendent Bhai Lakhwinder Singh Jakhar. SOPW volunteers presented Superintendent Sahib with a Saropa (respectful garland) for his refusal to execute, literally, the court warrant ordering Bhai Balwant Singh’s inhumane execution by hanging.
The jail Superintendent in turn also presented the SOPW volunteers with a Saropa in his recognition of the Sewa (selfless service) they, often in the face of personal/familial intimidation they themselves face whilst carrying out their service, humbly carry out of the prisoners. This symbolic act was recognised by all in attendance as a highly momentous and significant event.
This very much aligns with Shaheed Bhai Fauja Singh’s Parchaar and spirit whilst they were in prison where they too also held Kirtan Diwans on a regular basis; Bhai Sahib went as far as organising Amrit Sanchars (baptism ceremonies) for the reformed/political prisoners. Vaisakhi is also the day Bhai Sahib and 12 other Gursikhs, from both the Akhand Kirtani Jatha and Bhindranwala Jatha, attained Shaheedi (Martyrdom) in the face of state- sponsored thugs from the Nakali Nirankaris in 1978.
A fact not known by many is that Shaheed Bhai Fauja Singh was also, at the time of their Shaheedi, out of prison on bail pending a court hearing on charges relating to their actions against a rapist who publicly dared to repeat his crimes with no remorse. Bhai Sahib wrote very eloquently of the needs of the Khalsa Panth (Sikh nation) to always be at the forefront of justice and truth and often referred to the Qaum (nation) being in a state of deep stupor.
We at SOPW urge everyone to not only enjoy this period of celebration as well as spiritual/economic cultivation, but also to awaken to the inequities, prejudice and unjustness of the present situation around the globe – SOPW is not only a charity seeking justice for the Sikh people, it is a charity seeking truth, reconciliation and fair treatment for all.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa || Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh ||
Sikh Organisation for Prisoner Welfare (SOPW)
www.prisonerwelfare.com
