A Martyrs New Year
/On 1st January 1993 the Punjabi newspaper ‘Ajit’ based in Jalandhar published a poem written by the legendary general of the Bhindranwale Tiger Force for Khalistan (BTKF), Shaheed Jathedar Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji ‘Manochal’. The poem illustrates the deep love and longing such Sikh martyrs have for the freedom of the Sikh people, and the pain they felt at the injustices and excesses committed by the terrorist indian state to repress Sikh rebellion.
At the point this poem was written Baba Ji had been engaged in the Sikh liberation struggle for over a decade. The poem speaks to those Sikhs that are caught up in worldly celebrations, detached from the Sikh struggle, caught up in celebrations that hold little relevance. Baba Ji sees those Sikhs that have suffered at the hands of the indian police as his family, and speaks to those that are disconnected from the struggle as his friends.
The last line speaks of the ‘greeting card’ that Baba Ji asks his friends to await, that greeting card was left unsent, on 28th February 1993 friends became traitors under the instruction of the indian police and poisoned the brave warrior of the Guru.
Baba Ji with his children
How can I say congratulations for a new year?
Kive akahan nava vara mubarak hoveh
My friends maybe waiting for a new year greeting card from me,
Mere dost oudeekdeh hovange mere valo
nave sal da greeting card
Oh my friends how can I congratulate you for a new year,
Aehpar dosto kive akha tuhanu
ik nava vara mubarak hoveh
As yet I’m looking after my culture, many efforts are being made to eliminate it,
Ajai ta mai smbalda phrida apni virasat
jis nu katham karn dian kosishan jari han
I’m still looking for my father’s Turban that has been discarded in the corner of some police station,
Ta labhda pir rayha bapu di pag
kiteh ruldi pay tahne di ghout’ch
As yet my mother’s tears have not dried, my sister still grieves, beautiful children, tender flowers,
Ajai meri ma de hanju nahi sukai te bhaina de hokai
jihna da lakteh jigar te sohal phul
Crushed in falsified encounters in a non-place, some bridge somewhere,
Modohlia gaiya akhouti moukableh’ch
kise biathan rohi dai pul te
As yet my beloved sisters chuni has not been found, it was lost during the violence in delhi,
Ajai ta gumnh hai lado bhain di chuni
guachi jehri delhi dangia duran si
As yet sadness is eating me, like a delicate butterfly whose wings have lost colour,
Ajai ta mainu gam ka rehia najuk titilia da
jina de kamba da rang ho gaya sufait
As yet I am anxious that in the turning of time my existence is not lost somewhere,
Ajai ta mainu chinta ke samai di gardish’ch
meri paichan he nah gumnh javeh kite
As yet my pen is blossoming tears of blood, singing the Sohila of those killed,
Ajai ta meri kalam kirhdi rutth dai hanju
ta goundi khoon deh sohele
In such a horrific environment how can I say congratulations for a new year,
Ajaihe baianak mahoul vich kive akhan
ik nava vara mubarak hovai
Keep a watch, I will send a greeting card, when our rebels break free,
Oudeek rakheou, bejanga greeting card
jadho sadeh baagi bhaar avaige
My friends maybe waiting for a new year greeting card from me,
Mere dost oudeekdeh hovange mere valo
nave sal da greeting card
Oh my friends how can I congratulate you for a new year!
Aehpar dosto kive akha tuhanu
ik nava vara mubarak hoveh!
Shaheed jathedar baba gurbachan singh ji manochal
