Our brother boldly walked the path of Sant Baba Jarnail Singh jee Khalsa Bhindranwale and was killed by agents of the Indian state on 4 Harh, 555 Nanakshahi (June 18, 2023 CE). He drank the nectar of shaheedi (martyrdom) and returned to his rightful place in our Guru’s embrace.

Through his life and historic shahadat, Bhai Hardeep Singh transcended the constraints of time and space to beautifully demonstrate what the mystic and revolutionary practice of the Khalsa should look like today. Actively working to “protect the weak, destroy the tyrants” and striving for halemi raj, Khalistan, Bhai Sahib dedicated each and every breath to the Guru Panth and roamed this world as a marjeevara (one who conquers death while alive). Through his sacrifice, Bhai Hardeep Singh ultimately attained one of the highest distinctions bestowed by Gursikhi: shahadat. 

Bhai Sahib’s shaheedi is not something to be mourned by the sangat of the Guru or the warriors of the Khalsa, nor is it an occasion to offer “condolences”. Instead, we honour his spilled blood by taking inspiration to walk on the path he lived by. We are proud of this warrior who defied the allures of attachment and worldly wealth, and instead, committed his life to relishing the sacred experience of this bikhra painda (thorn-filled path) of sangarsh. Our brother rejected the gulaami (subjugation/slavery) of comfort and peace in the diaspora/exile, and set an example for future generations about what it means to truly live. His sacrifice demonstrates that the golden itihaas (history) of the Khalsa is never limited by the false excuses of geography or “the times”. 

It is abundantly clear that we are passing through a very grave period of time. While there are numerous opportunities that lay before us in today’s political climate, we will have to confront countless threats and climb mountains to taste the victory we seek. The recent attacks on our jujharoo leaders is evidence of these perilous conditions. To overcome these challenges, we must adopt Bhai Hardeep Singh jee’s countless qualities and traits. His example reminds us that instead of deferring responsibility or blaming others for shortcomings in panthic institutions, we must take initiative and pour our own blood and sweat into successfully accomplishing the tasks we aspire to see completed.

Alongside the valuable personality traits, there are a number of foundational collective tasks that Bhai Hardeep Singh also identified. One of the most important initial steps is to strengthen the internal power of the panth by facilitating collective platforms for panthic organizations to work together. Recognizing the importance of this task, Bhai Hardeep Singh helped spearhead efforts to establish the British Columbia Gurdwaras Council with the support of the local sangat. To defend ourselves against India’s ongoing offensive, it is imperative that the sangat strengthen such initiatives, and increase our capacity by furthering structures of collective leadership–rooted in our panthic traditions. Alongside this, Bhai Hardeep Singh’s seva at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara demonstrated that our collective panthic strength can only be built through our independent, sovereign institutions. In addition to numerous efforts to bolster the prachar and prasar (flourishing) of gurmat vidya (knowledge/traditions), Bhai Hardeep Singh also initiated numerous projects to serve the social needs of the community. By turning the gurdwara sahib into a global hub of the sangarsh for Khalistan, he also took concrete steps to fulfil the puratan (old) qualities of a gurdwara, that which included a fortress. 

Perhaps the most important lesson from the life of Bhai Hardeep Singh however, is the reminder that the nature and limits of our ongoing struggle can only be set by gurmat and Sikh itihaas–not by any par-adheen (subordinated) worldly structures. In this context, some jathebandiyan and individuals from the sangat are taking steps to hold Canadian security and intelligence–as well as the political establishment–accountable for their utter failure in preventing Bhai Hardeep Singh’s assassination despite their prior knowledge. Without a doubt, this is a worthy and important step that should be taken, but there should be absolutely no misunderstanding in anyone’s mind: the Guru Khalsa Panth will never embrace a victim mentality and will not cry for “justice” to be doled out by others.

Our destination is the same one for which Shaheed Bhai Hardeep Singh jee Nijjar watered our consciousness with his blood. The only justice for our brother will be to honour the dream of Khalistan that was seared into his heart and the only genuine tribute will be to follow in his footsteps to continue this battle to attain the sacred ideals of Khalsa raj.

Parnaam Shaheeda Nu
Shaheed Bhai Hardeep Singh Jee Nijjar Amar Rahe
Khalistan Zindabad

Servants of the Guru-Panth:

1984 Tribute, U.K.
Akhand Kirtani Jatha
Akhand Kirtani Jatha (Toronto), Canada
Anandpur Collective
Damdama Media, Canada
Fremont Gurdwara Sahib, California
Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib (Surrey), Canada
Gurdwara Guru Maneyo Granth (Oldbury), U.K.
Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar (Surrey), Canada
Gurdwara Sahib Guru Nanak Darbar (Prince George), Canada
Gurdwara Sahib Jot Parkash (Toronto), Canada
Gurdwara Sahib Kalgidhar Darbar (Abbotsford), Canada
Gurdwara Sahib Khalsa Darbar (Vancouver), Canada
Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar (New Westminister), Canada
Gurdwara Sahib Tierra Buena (Yuba City), California
Gurdwara Sikh Sangat (Brampton), Canada
Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha (Milpitas), California
Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha (Victoria), Canada
Gurdwara Tapoban Sahib (Brampton), Canada
Guru Amar Das Darbar (Kelowna), Canada
Guru Nanak Gurdwara (Semthwick), U.K.
Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara (Surrey), Canada
Gurudwara Guru Nanak Parkash (Coventry), U.K.
Gurudwara Sahib Baba Banda Singh Bahadur (Abbotsford), Canada
Gurudwara Sahib Guru Nanak Parkash (Fresno), California
Gurudwara Sahib Guru Nanak Parkash (Tracy), California
Khalistan Centre
Khalsa Gurmat Academy (Toronto), Canada
National Sikh Youth Federation, U.K.
Ontario Gurdwaras Committee, Canada
Panthic Front, Canada
Panthic Media, Canada
Princess2Warrior, U.K.
Sacramento Sikh Society, California
Seattle Sikh Federation, Washington
Seva T.O., Canada
Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)
Sikh Federation of Australia
Sikh Federation, U.K.
Sikh Liberation Front, Canada
Sikh Sabha Central Gurdwara (Glasgow), Scotland
Sikh Spiritual Centre (Rexdale), Canada
Sikh Youth Edmonton, Canada
Sikh Youth of America, USA
Singh Sabha Gurdwara (Handsworth), U.K.
Slough Sikhs, U.K.
Sri Guru Nanak Sikh Centre (Brampton), Canada
Stockton Gurdwara Sahib, California
Suchet Foundation, Canada
Undying Morcha, Canada
World Sikh Parliament