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 Indian 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 for 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 but 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.
Seminar Pic-2.jpg
Recognizing and acknowledging the contribution of exiled leader Gajinder Singh, representatives of Dal Khalsa and other Sikh bodies honoured his sister Indermohan kaur at a Seminar held to discus various aspects of Gajinder Singh's multi-faceted personality in Chandigarh on Oct 6, 2009.
Seminar Pic-3.jpg
Unbending Gajinder Singh
Dal Khalsa passed the following resolution at the meet held in Chandigarh on 6th October 2009:
Gajinder Singh as a leader of the Sikh nation, through his uncompromising approach has contributed immensely towards popularising the nuances of the Sikh struggle. He has not indulged in any petty internecine rivalry with other orgnisations similarly engaged in working for the Sikhs, as he has chosen to work on the mission in a determined but focussed manner. He has set up democratic traditions within the Dal Khalsa –the organisation 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.
Members of the Dal Khalsa and non-members too recognize his relentless fight against tyranny and Hindu-fascism. Young activists of the Dal Khalsa are uncovering the characteristic layers of this die-hard revolutionary, who is a poet, activist, writer, political commentator and a visionary.
Exiled from home, despite his growing years, his yearning for sovereignty of the Sikhs is as fresh as it was years ago. His writing mirror our present situation and his writings more than relevant.
Recognizing the historic contribution of Gajinder Singh and planning for more, Dal Khalsa is grateful to his family which has not shackled him in any way and given him a full opportunity to carry on his Panthic duties.
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 international forums exposing the truth about Gajinder Singh. Our plea will be based not on mercy but on grounds of justice for stateless people like Gajinder Singh and others.
