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The Malwa belt has a significant history in the Kharku Movement, where many Sikh youths took up arms and joined the Sikh armed resistance. Prominent organizations active in this region included the All India Sikh Students Federation, Khalistan Commando Force, and Babbar Khalsa. Bhai Khem Singh was a dedicated member of the Babbar Khalsa, who initially belonged to a communist organization but later became a prominent figure in the Kharku movement.

Early Life and Background

Bhai Khem Singh Babbar, also known as Fauji, was born on June 15, 1958, in the village of Balad Kalan, located in Tehsil and District Sangrur, Punjab. His father was Sardar Nachhatar Singh, and his mother was Mata Hamir Kaur. He was one of five siblings, with two brothers and three sisters. His siblings were Shaheed Bhai Rajinder Singh (also known as Raj Singh), Bibi Harjit Kaur, Bibi Paramjit Kaur, and Bibi Rajinder Kaur. Bhai Khem Singh completed his middle school education and was a skilled wrestler during his childhood, winning numerous Kushti Akharas (wrestling competitions). He earned several medals and trophies in the sport.

In 1975, Bhai Khem Singh married Bibi Santokh Kaur from Kaithal, Haryana. Together, they had two sons: Sandeep Singh and Ranbir Singh.

Indian Army Service

Bhai Khem Singh came from a farming family and, at the young age of 16, enlisted in the Indian Army on August 26, 1976. He served for nearly four years until his retirement on March 20, 1980, after sustaining a chest bone injury during service. Following his retirement, he returned to his family’s farming profession.

Communist to Kharku

From a young age, Bhai Khem Singh was drawn to communist ideology, believing it offered a path to improve society and empower the youth. He became an active member of ‘Naujwan Bharat Sabha’ and worked as a social activist. His fearless nature and commitment to helping those in need earned him great respect in his community. He organized street plays (Daramas) in surrounding villages to raise awareness about political and social issues.

Bhai Khem Singh admired the renowned poet Sant Ram Udasi and was particularly passionate about supporting underprivileged Dalit and Scheduled Caste families. His kindness and willingness to help others made him a beloved figure, and those he helped still remember him fondly. Known for his integrity, Bhai Khem Singh was always ready to stand by his friends.

June 1984 and Embracing the Panth

Though a member of a communist organization, Bhai Khem Singh held deep Sikh values and frequently participated in Sikh events, including Gurpurabs and other religious celebrations. The attack on Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) and 40 other Sikh shrines by the Indian Army on June 6, 1984, which resulted in the martyrdom of hundreds of Sikhs, deeply impacted him, just as it did many other Sikh youth.

During the first Sarbat Khalsa in 1986, Bhai Khem Singh took ‘Amrit Daat’ and became an Amritdhari Sikh, fully committing to the Sikh faith. Bhai Khem Singh also became an active member of the Shromni Akali Dal (Maan) party.

Joining the Kharku Movement

After the events of June 1984, Bhai Khem Singh’s younger brother, Bhai Rajinder Singh, joined the All India Sikh Student Federation (AISSF) alongside Bhai Piayara Singh and Bhai Amar Singh from the nearby village of Alo Arkh. Eventually, they all became part of the Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) Panjwar Jathebandi. This drew the attention of the police, and soon Bhai Khem Singh and his family faced continuous harassment and police repression. He was frequently arrested and tortured during extrajudicial detentions.

Despite enduring severe police brutality, Bhai Khem Singh remained devoted to the Khalistan cause and the goals of the Kharku movement. He operated as a secret volunteer (Gupt Kharku) until the end of 1990 when he officially joined Babbar Khalsa under the leadership of Bhai Balwinder Singh Ganga.

Bhai Khem Singh Babbar began his work with Babbar Khalsa, focusing his efforts on the Mansa, Bathinda, and Sangrur regions. He was particularly committed to maintaining Hindu-Sikh unity during this tumultuous time. Bhai Khem Singh ensured that no poor person suffered under the oppression of the government, police, or wealthy individuals. He also made sure that the police were unsuccessful in their efforts to capture Sikh youth.

Bhai Sahib had the honor of working alongside prominent figures such as Bhai Balwinder Singh Ganga, Bhai Paramjit Singh Phulewal, Bhai Gurmel Singh Sectry, Bhai Sudagar Singh Babbar, Bhai Rajinder Singh (his brother), Bhai Balwinder Singh Bullet (Talwandi Aklian), and Bhai Sukhpal Singh Babbar from Jagga Ram Tirath.

Maujia Encounter – 7-8 September 1991

A Defining Battle of the Khalistan Movement

The Maujia encounter was a significant event during the Khalistan movement, marking a fierce clash between Sikh freedom fighters of Babbar Khalsa and Indian security forces. On September 7, 1991, near the villages of Maujia and Raipur, a small group of eight Babbar Khalsa Singhs found themselves surrounded by hundreds of CRPF soldiers and Punjab Police. Despite overwhelming odds, the Singhs, led by Bhai Balwinder Singh Gagga, chose to stand their ground rather than surrender.

Villagers from 16 surrounding villages, including Maujia and Raipur, risked their lives to aid the Singhs. They blocked roads, damaged transport routes, and flooded CRPF vehicles to hinder reinforcements from reaching the battlefield. As the forces advanced with bulletproof tractors, the Singhs retaliated with precision, destroying the vehicles and killing several soldiers. Despite their limited numbers and resources, the Babbars fought for over 36 hours, causing significant casualties among the Indian forces.

Eventually, reinforcements from the Para Commando Forces were deployed to suppress the resistance. In the intense firefight that followed, Babbar Khalsa fighters, Bhai Paramjit Singh Phulewal Babbar, Bhai Gurmail Singh Sectry Babbar attained martyrdom while fighting and Bhai Khem Singh consumed a cyanide capsule at the end of ammunition. Other Babbars managed to escape at the request of these three Singhs.

Despite their losses, the Singhs’ courage and tactical brilliance earned them the respect of even their adversaries. Col. Bhattacharyya, a commanding officer of the Indian forces, expressed deep admiration, remarking, “If I had 10 commandos like them, I could be sent anywhere. They are brave, and fought with true courage.”

Though the Babbars faced heavy losses, the encounter became a symbol of Sikh resistance. Villagers faced severe retaliation from the police after the battle, but they continued to honor the bravery of the Babbar Khalsa fighters. Even today, the legacy of these martyrs is remembered with pride in the villages of Raipur and Maujia, where their sacrifice is regarded as a pivotal moment in the struggle for Sikh sovereignty.

Aftermath

Following Bhai Khem Singh’s martyrdom in the Maujia Encounter, the police refused to return his body to the family. Instead, they handed over only his ashes after the cremation. When asked if she was grieving the loss of her son, Bhai Sahib’s mother responded fearlessly, “I have no sorrow for my son’s martyrdom. I am proud because my son attained martyrdom in service to the Sikh Panth.”

Martyrdom of Brother Bhai Rajinder Singh aka Raj Singh Babbar

After Bhai Khem Singh’s Shaheedi, in 1992, his younger brother Bhai Rajinder Singh, also known as Raj Singh, was captured by the Haryana Police in the month of Sawan (mid-July to August). He was arrested from Islamabad, Palwal, Haryana by Haryana Police and handed over to the Sangrur Police, where he was held in extrajudicial custody for 22 days. Eventually, Bhai Rajinder Singh was martyred by the police on the banks of a river in Sangrur. Bhai Rajinder Singh was also part of Babbar Khalsa Jathebandi under the leadership of Bhai Balwinder Singh Ganga.

written by the Editor of June84.com