Amritsar, Punjab (January 17, 2013): The Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) has decided to install a portrait of Shaheed Jaspal Singh (Gurdaspur) at the Central Sikh Museum located at the Harmandir Sahib complex.
Bhai Jaspal Singh (18) of Sidhwan (Gurdaspur) was shot dead by Punjab Police during a peaceful protest on March 29, 2012. It is notbale that Punjab wide bandh was observed by Sikhs on March 28, 2012 against proposed hanging of a Sikh political prisoner Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, whose execution was scheduled on March 30, 2012 but was later postponed of indeterminate period.
On March 28, 2012 some Shiv Sena activists attacked Sikh youth at Gurdaspur. On the next day Sikhs held a demonstration at Gurdaspur seeking police action against Shiv Sena activists. Police reportedly open fire with SLRs and AK47s on peacefully protesting Sikhs. Bhai Jaspal Singh, an engineering student, was killed in police firing while another Bhai Ranjit Singh was seriously injurred.
Bhai Jaspal Singh was declared a “martyr” by Akal Takhat Sahib jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh.
“While making the announcement, SGPC also declared that a “gate” would be installed in Amritsar Sahib in memory of Bhai Jaspal Singh” Sikh24.com has reported.
“In addition, a portrait of Sardarni Bibi Niranjan Kaur, wife of Sant Kartar Singh Khalsa Bhindrawale, Dhadi Bhai Balwant Singh ‘Premi’, Diwan Todar Mal, who had purchased land for the funeral of the younger Sahibzade, would also be installed at the museum” the Sikh24.com news reads further.
It is notable that Punjab police has filed to fix the responsibility for the death of Bhai Jaspal Singh. Jalandhar Division Commissioner S. R. Ladhar has reportedly conducted an enquiry into the incident. In his report that was submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court (Chandigarh) S. R. Ladhar had raised the question regarding use of deadly weapons such as A.K. 47 and SLR guns, while handling a demonstration by public.