Ludhiana, Punjab (January 07, 2013): Bhai Lakhwinder Singh Lakha was released from Burail Jail for 28 days on parole after about 45 days long hunger strike by Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa. Papalpreet Singh has interviewed Bhai Lakhwinder Singh Lakha.
Brief note/ introduction and text/ transcript of interview conducted by Papalpreet Singh reads as follows:
The Spirit of Chardikala became apparent when we met Bhai Lakhwinder Singh Lakha at his sister’s house in Ludhiana. Bhai Lakha is on parole(28 days) after 18 years of rigorous imprisonment. For all these years, Burail Jail might have kept Bhai Lakha hidden from the Sikh Nation, but his heart was always with Sikh Nation. By seeing Bhai Lakha’s steadfastness and optimism, one can see that India, the oppressor of Sikhs, has lost. Guru’s Sikh didn’t waver. Bhai Lakhwinder Singh Lakha, born on March 10, 1972, hails from village Narangwal, which is about 35 km from Ludhiana. His childhood was spent in Patiala’s Guru Nanak Nagar because of his father’s job. Bhai Lakha’s lived where Gali#9 and #13 intersect. Shaheed Bhai Dilawar Singh’s house was in Gali # 12 and Bhai Gurmeet Singh Engineer’s house was in Gali # 14. Bhai Dilawar Singh was couple grades ahead of Bhai Lakha. Bhai Lakha was arrested on September 4, 1995. He remained in Prison without any parole until. February 24, 2013. On February 24, 2013, Bhai Lakha was given parole, under police security, for few hours so he could be present at his sister’s Anand Karaj. Then on December 27,2013 Bhai Lakha was granted 28 day parole, due to Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa’s struggle. On December 31, 2013, during conversation with him, we learned that he read world Philosophical books in prison and passed title of Giani in 1997 and also acquired knowledge about Computers. Interview with Bhai Lakhwinder Singh Lakha: Q: You have been released on parole for 28 for the first time, Before November 14, 2013 did it feel as if you might have to spend your whole life in prison? A: Because of Guru Sahib’s Kirpa, I always felt that one day I would be free again. Q: How do you feel about the support Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa’s struggle received? A: I and my family, whole heartedly thank Khalsa Panth. I thank Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa for victory of his struggle’s first stage, to free Singhs in Bural Jail. Q: How was your family’s contribution during your long time in prison? A: My father, sister, Sukhvinder kaur, sister’s husband, Jung Singh, younger sister, Parmjit Kaur and close relatives supported me a lot. Q: How was your journey, reading intellectual books in prison? A: It was great, I had the opportunity to read and understand national and international political philosophies. Q:How do you feel about present state of Sikh Nation? A: It is as weak as a paralyzed body. Eithe r there is no loyalty or no will power. Q:How do you percieve the difference between Imagination and Reality? A: I would like to give an example of Imagination and reality: as a person merely looking at the ocean can’t measure its depth, I would like to ask Sikh scholars to truly understand through experience. Q: Bhai Gurmeet Singh Engineer described Shaheed Bhai Dilawar Singh as a philosophical person. You were close with Shaheed Bhai Dilawar Singh, how do you feel about him? A: I completely agree. He was a loyal friend from childhood. He would always share his ideas about interesting readings with me. Q: How is it to live and die for Panth, according to you? A: If dying for your beliefs isn’t easy then living is a struggle too. Q: Do you recall any memory with Shaheed Bhai Dilawar Singh? A: Yes, One time we went to swim in Bhakhra River. We all dived in river together but Bhai Dilawar Singh didn’t come out right away. I was getting anxious and started panicking. Then finally, after five minutes, he stuck his out of water and I thanked God. Q: How do you feel now that he has attained Shaheedi? A: He is always with me. He is the heart beat of Sikh Nation, Shaheed Bhai Dilawar Singh. Q: Finally, is there any message you would like to give to the youth? A: Unite. There is a saying that “Nothing is impossible because the word impossible is saying “I’m Possible””. I hope that Sikh Youth will unite on one platform. Don’t be tempted by western culture. Don’t ever give up your rich culture.