In the memory of the founder of Akhand Kirtani Jatha and the golden bird of the Panth, Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Ji and his companions, a commemorative Akhand Kirtan is organized every year in Delhi, which was concluded with great pomp this time too. The event began with the commencement of Akhand Path Sahib at Guru Nanak Public School, Rajouri Garden, followed by morning and evening Diwans at Gurudwara Singh Sabha, Rajouri Garden, and last Saturday, Kirtan Rain was performed. Sangats from all over the country and abroad attended the event and benefited by connecting with Gurbani, including Bhai Manjit Singh Dayalpur, Bhai Bharpur Singh, Bhai Gurmeet Singh Dhaliwal, Bhai Kulwant Singh Kakipind and a large number of Kirtaniya Singh Singhnias from Australia. Accommodation and langar arrangements for the sangat were made at Guru Nanak Public School.
On this occasion, Bhai Arvinder Singh Raja, Chief Sevadar of Delhi Akhand Kirtani Jatha, said that the Ghadar Movement (1913) produced many patriots, who endured torture throughout their lives while following their chosen goals and played an important role in India’s freedom struggle. Among those warriors, Bhai Randhir Singh Ji Narangwal is such a personality who awakened the Ghadar Movement among the Indian people and had to spend time in jails due to his active participation in revolutionary activities against the British rule. In 1914, when the incident of demolition of the wall of Gurdwara Rakabganj Delhi took place. Then Bhai Randhir Singh Ji reached Lahore with a group as the first Satyagrahi on May 3, 1914 AD. The date of the Ghadar was fixed on February 21, 1915, but some traitor had already conveyed the whole secret to the British government. Later, the British government launched such a cycle of repression that Bhai Randhir Singh Ji was also arrested along with the active leaders of the Ghadar movement. He was ready to participate in every meeting of the Ghadar leaders but considered it a sin to collect money by robbing the house of a rich man. Bhai Sahib was one of the 48 freedom fighters who were sentenced to life imprisonment in the second Lahore Conspiracy Case. Later, Bhai Sahib was imprisoned in the Central Jail of Lahore on March 30, 1916. Here he joined Kartar Singh Sarabha and other Ghadar comrades. Bhai Sahib went on a hunger strike for about 40 days till May 13. While spending time in various jails, he wrote “Gurmat Bibek” and the epic poem ‘Jyoti Vigas’. It was thanks to Bhai Sahib that Singhs were allowed to wear turbans in jails and were also given bracelets and kachheras. Finally, after serving 16 years in prison, he was released in 1932 AD. From 1932 to 1961, Bhai Sahib spent the time participating in Akhand Pathans and Akhand Kirtan Samagams. Bhai Sahib’s life was multifaceted and all-round complete. He was an unwavering devotee of Naam, a kirtan-rasi, a tireless kirtaniya, a master of speech and action, complete in living a life of abstinence, firm in Sikhism, full of beer and juice, a true Gurmat seeker and a fearless expounder of Gurmat principles. His greatest contribution to Punjabi literature is the creation of Gurmat literature. Bhai Sahib wrote 40 He has not only filled the treasury of Sikh literature by writing nearly 1000 works but has also rendered selfless service to the propagation of Sikhism by explaining Gurmat and Sikh principles through these writings. The sacrifice made by Bhai Sahib Ji will always remain a center of inspiration for the seekers of Gurmat.
