PrIdw bury dw Blw kir gusw min n hFwie ] Fareed, answer evil with goodness; do not fill your mind with anger.
dyhI rog n lgeI plY sBu ikCu pwie ]73]
Our body shall not suffer from any disease, and you shall obtain everything.
(pMnw 1381)
The Britishers annexed Punjabi and hatched a new policy to drive a wedge among the sister communities. The hired touts tried to create ill will amongst the communities. In the Sikhs, this policy was done against the Namdharis, the fore-runners of freedom struggle of India. Propagation was carried on by saying “That the kookas utter Kalam instead of Gurbani. No respect is shown to The Holy Granth.” Circulars in this regard were sent to all Gurdwaras. According the priests in the historical Gurdwaras treated the Namdharis as un-touchable.
S. Attar Singh Grewal was a staunch Kookas, who used to visit Mukatsar Frequently. Once he went there and entered the Gurdwara to pay respect. A Nihang on seeing him flew into rage. Though Attar Singh showed all humility, the Nihang hit him on the head and blood gushed out. He became unconscious and fell on the ground. Someone tool him to the Namdhari, Dharamshala, where he was given first aid and given proper treatment. In a few days he was fully recovered and thanked the co-mates.
In those days Punjab was infected with plague. The Nihang also was attacked by the deadly disease. The poor man, almost on his last legs was dragged out to crematorium for cremation, and was left there for his ultimate end. Nobody even bothered whether he was dead or alive.
By chance Sardar Attar Singh went out to answer the call of nature and heard the sobbing and singing of the Nihang. Attar Singh drew nearer, the Nihang and brought him to the Dharamshala on his shoulders. There he was looked after affectionately by S. Attar Singh. In a short time he was able to walk. When he came to know, that it was the same Namdhari whom he had hit on the head. He was much ashamed of himself and lay at his feet entreating to pardon him. He admitted by saying ‘I am a misguided fool. Save me from the fire of hell. I could not understand you. You guru is great. Please excuse me “with these words he again placed his head on his feet. But Attar Singh with profound sincerity said “O Singh Sahib! Why are you bewailing? “Sikhism teaches to serve the needy. I have done nothing more than my duty. All thanks are due to the Master, Cheeniwala, who has given me a chance to serve you.” These sweet words were nectar for him. He, with humble submission, requested to take him to his guru. Attar Singh led him to Sri Bhaini Sahib. There he was blessed by Sri Satguru Hari Singh Ji and Mata Jeewan Kaur. He spent the rest of his life serving in the langar.
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DO ALL THE GOOD YOU CAN
BY ALL THE MEANS YOU CAN,
IN ALL THE WAYS YOU CAN
AT ALL THE TIMES YOU CAN,
TO ALL THE PEOPLE YOU CAN,
AS LONG AS EVER YOU CAN
Satguru Ram Singh was the champion of freedom struggle of India. He wished the Indian to be freed through non cooperation and non-violence. This slogan shook the British imperialism. The British policy, based on divide and rule, allowed the kine to be killed in Punjab. The worst of all these slaughter houses were quite close to the sacred places. Similarly a butcher house stood by the wall of Holy Temple Harmander Sahib at Amritsar. The kooka’s could not bear this bloody sight. They attacked the slaughter house to free the cows. Some innocent were arrested, tortured and were forced to confess the crime. The poor fellows could not find any other way than to admit. The court delivered the decision to hang them. But they were acquitted by the kookas, who themselves laid down their lives for noble cause. The govt. considered the kookas their bitter foes and wanted an excuse to crush this freedom movement. At Ludhiana and Ralkote five kookas were hanged in Public in broad-day light. The massacre at Malerkotla was the incident of high handedness. Kooka movement was declared unlawful. A police post was set up at the H.Q. Sri Bhaini Sahib. The enclave of Gurdwara was dug to the water level, and the valuables were conflicted. The greater Lord Satguru Ram Singh with his Subas was deported.
Suba Kahan Singh was taken to Eden the hottest place in Arabia. It is said that a leaf falling from the tree withered dry in no time. Kahan Singh was lodged there, but he cared a bit for this and was cautious for his religious duty only.
One night a fire broke into the bunglow of Supdt. of the Jail. The flames were furious. All the occupants rushed out, but a child was left there in the cradle. On coming to know this the mother bewailed and cried for the child. The fire grew furious and none could dare to enter the room. All were helpless.
Suba Kahan Singh rushed to the spot to rescue the victim. He staked his life for the rescue of child. To the surprise of all. Suba Kahan Singh wrapped in a wet blanket, flew into the flames. On the lips of the audience was prayer. In the twinkling of an eye, the Suba was seen out of the flames, with the child in his arms. The mother of this child in tears ran towards the rescuer. She hastily took the child into her arms, hugged and kissed the baby again and again. All the eye witnesses whether European or Arabian said with one voice “Kahan Singh is not a man but an angel from the Land of Rishis.”
Author: Panth Rattan Master Nihal Singh
