Tributes paid to Bhindranwale’s elder brother

Pic: Punjab assembly speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan paying respects to Capt Harcharan Singh RodeBathinda: Activists and members from political, religious, and Sikh organisations paid tributes to Capt Harcharan Singh Rode, the elder brother of Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal's 14th head Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. He died at his native Rode village in Moga district on Nov 1. He was 90. Punjab assembly speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, agriculture minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, ex-MPs Simranjit Singh Mann and Rajdev Singh Khalsa, SAD MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali, ex-MLA Sucha Singh Chhotepur, and a number of religious heads recalled the life of Rode. They stated that he went to see the body of Bhindranwale after hearing the news of his killing on the radio on June 7, 1984, during Operation Bluestar. "In Captain Harcharan Singh, we have lost a man who was a witness to many important developments in Punjab in the past," said Sandhwan. Rode's nephew, Jasbir Singh Khalsa, former jathedar of Akal Takht, and his sons, Tarlochan Singh and Harpal Singh, also paid floral tributes. Jasbir Singh Khalsa said, "Rode had the strength to confront police officers regardless of their rank and raised his voice fearlessly, saving many youths from extrajudicial killings." He recalled that when Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale's son, Ishar Singh, was arrested, Rode fought relentlessly for his release." SAD (reorganised) president Giani Harpreet Singh said the family of Bhindranwale suffered immense pain for the nation. MSID:: 125222744 413 |