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{{short description|former Indian politician and convicted criminal}} | |||
{{for|the Indian optical physicist|Kehar Singh (physicist)}} | {{for|the Indian optical physicist|Kehar Singh (physicist)}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}} | ||
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'''Kehar Singh''' (Punjabi: ਕੇਹਰ ਸਿੰਘ, Kehar Singh) an assistant in the Directorate General of Supply and Disposal, [[New Delhi]], was tried and executed for conspiracy in the plot of the [[Indira Gandhi assassination]], carried out by [[Satwant Singh]] and [[Beant Singh (assassin)|Beant Singh]]. He was hanged in [[Tihar Jail]] on 6 January 1989. [[Beant Singh (assassin)|Beant Singh]] was the nephew of Kehar Singh.<ref name="news.google.com">{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19850211&id=L8UUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=i-EDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6864,2583058 | title=India formally charges four Sikhs in slaying of Gandhi | newspaper=The Register-Guard | location=Eugene, Oregon | date=12 February 1985 | agency=Associated Press | page=10A | accessdate=29 May 2018 }}</ref> | '''Kehar Singh''' (Punjabi: ਕੇਹਰ ਸਿੰਘ, Kehar Singh) an assistant in the Directorate General of Supply and Disposal, [[New Delhi]], was tried and executed for conspiracy in the plot of the [[Indira Gandhi assassination]], carried out by [[Satwant Singh]] and [[Beant Singh (assassin)|Beant Singh]]. He was hanged in [[Tihar Jail]] on 6 January 1989. [[Beant Singh (assassin)|Beant Singh]] was the nephew of Kehar Singh.<ref name="news.google.com">{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19850211&id=L8UUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=i-EDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6864,2583058 | title=India formally charges four Sikhs in slaying of Gandhi | newspaper=The Register-Guard | location=Eugene, Oregon | date=12 February 1985 | agency=Associated Press | page=10A | accessdate=29 May 2018 }}</ref> | ||
The assassination was "motivated" by [[Operation Blue Star]] | The assassination was "motivated" by [[Operation Blue Star]]. | ||
==Military action against separatists | ==Military action against separatists taking shelter in the Golden Temple in Amritsar== | ||
[[Operation Blue Star]] was launched by the [[Indian Army]], to eliminate Jarnail Singh [[Bhindranwale]] and his followers who had been forced to seek cover in the Amritsar Golden Temple Complex by operations of the Indian government. The operation was launched in response to | [[Operation Blue Star]] was launched by the [[Indian Army]], to eliminate Jarnail Singh [[Bhindranwale]] and his followers who had been forced to seek cover in the Amritsar Golden Temple Complex by operations of the Indian government. The operation was launched in response to the deterioration of law and order in the [[State of Punjab]]. The roots of Operation Blue Star can be traced from the [[Khalistan Movement]]. The targets of the government within the Harminder Sahib were led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and former Maj. Gen. [[Shabeg Singh]]. Maj. Gen. [[Kuldip Singh Brar]] had command of the action, operating under General [[Krishnaswamy Sundarji]], of the Indian army. | ||
The Golden Temple compound and some of the surrounding houses were fortified. ''[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]]'' reported on 4 July that light machine-guns and semi-automatic rifles were known to have been brought into the compound by the militants.<ref>[[Kuldip Nayar]] and [[Khushwant Singh]], ''Tragedy of Punjab: Operation Bluestar & After'', Vision Books, New Delhi, 1984, page 79</ref> | The Golden Temple compound and some of the surrounding houses were fortified. ''[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]]'' reported on 4 July that light machine-guns and semi-automatic rifles were known to have been brought into the compound by the militants.<ref>[[Kuldip Nayar]] and [[Khushwant Singh]], ''Tragedy of Punjab: Operation Bluestar & After'', Vision Books, New Delhi, 1984, page 79</ref> | ||
Faced with imminent army action and with the foremost Sikh political organisation, [[Shiromani Akali Dal]] (headed by [[Harchand Singh Longowal]]), abandoning him, [[Bhindranwale]] declared [that], "This bird is alone. There are many hunters after it".<ref>''Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale - Life, Mission, and Martyrdom'' by Ranbir S. Sandhu, May 1997</ref> | Faced with imminent army action and with the foremost Sikh political organisation, [[Shiromani Akali Dal]] (headed by [[Harchand Singh Longowal]]), abandoning him, [[Bhindranwale]] declared [that], "This bird is alone. There are many hunters after it".<ref>''Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale - Life, Mission, and Martyrdom'' by Ranbir S. Sandhu, May 1997</ref> | ||
Beant Singh was killed by gunfire at the scene of the assassination of Indira Gandhi | Beant Singh was killed by gunfire at the scene of the assassination of Indira Gandhi, whereas [[Satwant Singh]] was arrested and Kehar Singh was later arrested for conspiracy in the assassination.<ref name="news.google.com"/> Both were sentenced to death and hanged in [[Tihar Prisons|Tihar jail]] in Delhi.<ref>{{cite web|author=Rakesh Bhatnagar |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_the-accused-did-not-want-to-be-defended_1304802 |title=The accused did not want to be defended | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis |publisher=Dnaindia.com |date=2009-10-30 |accessdate=2016-12-01}}</ref> | ||
==Conspiracy Evidence== | ==Conspiracy Evidence== | ||
The evidence of [[Bimal Kaur Khalsa]], wife of [[Beant Singh (assassin)|Beant Singh]] indicates that on October 17, 1984, Beant Singh and Kehar Singh were on the roof of their house and conspiring together. Satwant Singh later joining them for meals, lends credence to this conclusion. She had revealed to the court what she was told, and what she had witnessed on October 17, 1984 in her own house. | The evidence of [[Bimal Kaur Khalsa]], wife of [[Beant Singh (assassin)|Beant Singh]] indicates that on October 17, 1984, Beant Singh and Kehar Singh were on the roof of their house and conspiring together. Satwant Singh later joining them for meals, lends credence to this conclusion. She had revealed to the court what she was told, and what she had witnessed on October 17, 1984 in her own house. | ||
Balbir Singh had confessed that he had resentment for Smt. Indira Gandhi, holding her responsible for the 'Bluestar Operation', and told the court his story, that in the first week of September, 1984, a [[falcon]](baaz) happened to sit on a tree near the main reception of the PM's house, at about 1.30 P.M. Balbir Singh spotted the falcon, and called Beant Singh there and pointed out to the falcon. Both of them agreed that it had brought the message of the Tenth Guru of the Sikhs and that they should do something by way of revenge of the 'Bluestar Operation'. Both of the above accused performed ardas then and there. | Balbir Singh had confessed that he had resentment for Smt. Indira Gandhi, holding her responsible for the 'Bluestar Operation', and told the court his story, that in the first week of September, 1984, a [[falcon]] (baaz) happened to sit on a tree near the main reception of the PM's house, at about 1.30 P.M. Balbir Singh spotted the falcon, and called Beant Singh there and pointed out to the falcon. Both of them agreed that it had brought the message of the Tenth Guru of the Sikhs and that they should do something by way of revenge of the 'Bluestar Operation'. Both of the above accused performed ardas then and there. | ||
The visit of Kehar Singh and Beant Singh along with their family members to [[Amritsar]] on October 20, 1984, assumes importance and it is significant, to show how the appearance of the falcon motivated them to commit the crime. Since the 'Bluestar Operation', Balbir Singh was planning to commit the murder of Smt. Indira Gandhi and discussed his plans with Beant Singh, who had similar plans to commit the offence. Balbir Singh also shared his intention and prompted Satwant Singh to commit the murder of Smt. Indira Gandhi and finally discussed this matter with him on 30th October, 1984. However Balbir Singh, was acquitted on appeal to the Supreme Court in August. The main conspiracy, which was that of making [[Khalistan]],<ref>[https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1076942/ "3. xxx xxx xxx" Bimal Kaur Khalsa vs Union Of India And Ors. on 20 October, 1987]</ref> as alleged by the officially commissioned report on the killing, raises questions about the prosecution's case.<ref>[https://indiankanoon.org/doc/667073/ PG NO 110:(viii)On the evening of 17.10.84, (PG NO 97), Kehar Singh & Ors vs State (Delhi Admn.) on 3 August, 1988][http://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/06/world/india-hangs-two-sikhs-convicted-in-assassination-of-indira-gandhi.html][https://www.carnage84.com/official/misra/brief.htm][https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-11-29-mn-154-story.html]</ref> | The visit of Kehar Singh and Beant Singh along with their family members to [[Amritsar]] on October 20, 1984, assumes importance and it is significant, to show how the appearance of the falcon motivated them to commit the crime. Since the 'Bluestar Operation', Balbir Singh was planning to commit the murder of Smt. Indira Gandhi and discussed his plans with Beant Singh, who had similar plans to commit the offence. Balbir Singh also shared his intention and prompted Satwant Singh to commit the murder of Smt. Indira Gandhi and finally discussed this matter with him on 30th October, 1984. However Balbir Singh, was acquitted on appeal to the Supreme Court in August. The main conspiracy, which was that of making [[Khalistan]],<ref>[https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1076942/ "3. xxx xxx xxx" Bimal Kaur Khalsa vs Union Of India And Ors. on 20 October, 1987]</ref> as alleged by the officially commissioned report on the killing, raises questions about the prosecution's case.<ref>[https://indiankanoon.org/doc/667073/ PG NO 110:(viii)On the evening of 17.10.84, (PG NO 97), Kehar Singh & Ors vs State (Delhi Admn.) on 3 August, 1988][http://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/06/world/india-hangs-two-sikhs-convicted-in-assassination-of-indira-gandhi.html][https://www.carnage84.com/official/misra/brief.htm][https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-11-29-mn-154-story.html]</ref> | ||
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However, in obscure Mustafabad, the native village of Kehar Singh about 10 km from Bassi Pathana on the Chandigarh-Sirhind road, his relatives were calm on the day of hanging. The relatives had heard the news broadcast by Radio Pakistan in the 9.00 AM bulletin.<ref>Joshi, Chand (1984). Bhindranwale: Myth and Reality. Vikas. p. 161. {{ISBN|0706926943}}.</ref> | However, in obscure Mustafabad, the native village of Kehar Singh about 10 km from Bassi Pathana on the Chandigarh-Sirhind road, his relatives were calm on the day of hanging. The relatives had heard the news broadcast by Radio Pakistan in the 9.00 AM bulletin.<ref>Joshi, Chand (1984). Bhindranwale: Myth and Reality. Vikas. p. 161. {{ISBN|0706926943}}.</ref> | ||
Kehar Singh was convicted and hanged on the morning of 6 January 1989, for his involvement the [[Indira Gandhi assassination]], carried out by [[Satwant Singh]] and [[Beant Singh (assassin)|Beant Singh]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1986-12-03/news/mn-559_1_sikh-terrorism |title=Death Upheld for 3 Gandhi Assassins : Judges' Ruling Comes Day After Violent Sikh-Hindu Fighting - latimes |publisher=Articles.latimes.com |date=1986-12-03 |accessdate=2016-12-01|newspaper=Los Angeles Times }}</ref> Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh last words were, "Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal", and they were allegedly in high spirits. Their ashes were not handed over to their families. The structures erected for their cremation in the Tihar jail were also demolished immediately. | Kehar Singh was convicted and hanged on the morning of 6 January 1989, for his involvement the [[Indira Gandhi assassination]], carried out by [[Satwant Singh]] and [[Beant Singh (assassin)|Beant Singh]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1986-12-03/news/mn-559_1_sikh-terrorism |title=Death Upheld for 3 Gandhi Assassins : Judges' Ruling Comes Day After Violent Sikh-Hindu Fighting - latimes |publisher=Articles.latimes.com |date=1986-12-03 |accessdate=2016-12-01|newspaper=Los Angeles Times }}</ref> Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh last words were, "[[Bole So Nihal]], [[Sat Sri Akal]]", and they were allegedly in high spirits. Their ashes were not handed over to their families. The structures erected for their cremation in the Tihar jail were also demolished immediately. | ||
==Operation Black Thunder== | ==Operation Black Thunder== | ||
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In 2004, his death anniversary was again observed at [[Akal Takhat]], Amritsar, where [[SGPC]], [[Shiromani Akali Dal]] and head priest of Akal Takhat paid tributes to Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh.<ref name="tribuneindia.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040107/punjab1.htm#3 |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab |publisher=Tribuneindia.com |date= |accessdate=2016-12-01}}</ref> | In 2004, his death anniversary was again observed at [[Akal Takhat]], Amritsar, where [[SGPC]], [[Shiromani Akali Dal]] and head priest of Akal Takhat paid tributes to Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh.<ref name="tribuneindia.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040107/punjab1.htm#3 |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab |publisher=Tribuneindia.com |date= |accessdate=2016-12-01}}</ref> | ||
Again, on 6 January 2008, the highest Sikh temporal seat ([[Akal Takhat]], [[Amritsar]]) declared Kehar Singh and other assassins of former prime minister, Indira Gandhi; as martyrs of Sikhism.<ref name="tribuneindia.com"/><ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=9640ce68-87e7-4f31-8106-e2d3752e35ac]{{dead link|date= | Again, on 6 January 2008, the highest Sikh temporal seat ([[Akal Takhat]], [[Amritsar]]) declared Kehar Singh and other assassins of former prime minister, Indira Gandhi; as martyrs of Sikhism.<ref name="tribuneindia.com"/><ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=9640ce68-87e7-4f31-8106-e2d3752e35ac]{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/07/stories/2008010762501200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110102918/http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/07/stories/2008010762501200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-01-10 |title=Archive News |date= 2008-01-06|newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2016-12-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/indira-assassin-great-martyr-vedanti/258427/ |title=Indira assassin 'great martyr': Vedanti |publisher=Indian Express |date=2008-01-06 |accessdate=2016-12-01}}</ref> [[SGPC]] also paid homage to both Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh and called them "martyrs of Sikh nation".<ref>[http://www.abisz.genios.de/r_sppresse/daten/presse_tmid/20080107/tmid.1409006301.html]{{dead link|date=December 2016}}</ref> [[Shiromani Akali Dal]] observed their death anniversary as 'martyrdom' on 31 October 2008<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20081101/bathinda.htm#3 |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Bathinda Edition |publisher=Tribuneindia.com |date= |accessdate=2016-12-01}}</ref> | ||
As of 2015, the British Sikh community has warned political parties going into general elections in May this year that failure to initiate an independent public inquiry into whether the Margaret Thatcher-led British government provided military assistance to India in planning Operation Blue star 30 years ago, will cost them the all-important Asian vote. | As of 2015, the British Sikh community has warned political parties going into general elections in May this year that failure to initiate an independent public inquiry into whether the Margaret Thatcher-led British government provided military assistance to India in planning Operation Blue star 30 years ago, will cost them the all-important Asian vote. | ||