Bibi Darshan Kaur Ji stands as a shining example of Sikh women’s resilience, bravery, and deep devotion to the Sikh Panth (community). Her life of service and ultimate sacrifice during the Kanpur Massacre on 26 September 1978 has left an indelible mark on the history of Sikh struggles. Her contribution, particularly during a time of great upheaval, showcases the pivotal roles Sikh women have played throughout history in defending their faith and community.
Family and Early Life
Bibi Darshan Kaur Ji’s roots trace back to Village Rajar in Tehsil Fateh Jang, part of District Kamalpur, which was in what is now Pakistan after the Partition of 1947. Her father, Sardar Partap Singh Ji, was a devout Sikh who instilled in her a deep reverence for Sikh principles and a commitment to seva (selfless service). Her early upbringing in a traditional Sikh household surrounded her with the values of courage, humility, and devotion to the Guru, which would shape her future contributions to Sikh causes.
In 1947, the same year as the Partition of India, Bibi Darshan Kaur Ji married Sardar Harnam Singh Ji, a man described as deeply enthusiastic and courageous. Their marriage was not just a union of two individuals but a partnership founded on shared values of bravery, community service, and dedication to the Sikh faith. Together, they raised their children in the spirit of Sikhi, imparting the same devotion and strength that had been passed down through generations. Her husband’s fervent Panthic spirit and courage further encouraged her to actively participate in Sikh affairs, making her a respected figure in the Sikh community of Kanpur.
Service to the Sikh Community
Bibi Darshan Kaur Ji’s life was defined by her tireless service to the Guru’s abode and the Gursikh Sangat (the Sikh congregation). Known for her warmth and hospitality, she would welcome visiting Gursikhs with open arms. Her devotion was not just limited to religious practices but extended to physical labor. Her willingness to contribute to Guru’s cause wherever needed left a lasting impression on those who met her. She demonstrated that true service to the Guru came not through titles or status but through hard work and dedication.
Her life was centered around Gurbani (the Sikh scriptures) and her daily prayers. Her deep spiritual discipline was evident in the way she lived her life—never allowing herself even a sip of water without fulfilling her Daily ‘Nitnem’. This commitment reflected her unwavering faith and the central role that Sikh spirituality played in her life. It was her deep-rooted connection to Gurbani that gave her the strength to face the immense challenges that lay ahead.
Participation in the Punjabi Suba Movement
Bibi Darshan Kaur Ji’s courage and devotion to the Sikh cause were demonstrated most notably during her participation in the Punjabi Suba Movement of the 1960s. This movement sought the creation of a Punjabi-speaking state in India, a demand that faced significant resistance from the Indian government at the time. Sikhs, who formed the majority in Punjab, led protests to secure linguistic and cultural recognition for their state.
Bibi Ji, despite being a mother, did not shy away from her responsibilities to the Panth. In an era when women were often confined to domestic roles, Bibi Darshan Kaur Ji took a bold step forward, actively participating in the protests. Her bravery was exemplified when she was arrested during the movement alongside her three-year-old daughter. For six months, she endured the harsh conditions of jail, never wavering in her commitment to the cause. Her participation in this movement highlighted the vital role of Sikh women in political and social struggles, as well as their ability to bear great sacrifices for the greater good of the community.
The Kanpur Massacre and Martyrdom
In 1978, Sikhs were once again confronted with a significant threat—this time from the Nakli Nirankaris, a sect whose teachings and practices were viewed as a direct challenge to Sikh tenets. The Kanpur Massacre took place on 26 September 1978, during a protest organized by Sikhs against the Nakli Nirankaris. The peaceful protest soon turned violent as police forces opened fire on the unarmed Sikh protestors, leading to tragic deaths and injuries.
Bibi Darshan Kaur Ji was among the fearless Sikhs who joined the protest march that day, despite the dangers looming over them. At the age of fifty, Bibi Ji displayed unwavering courage and an indomitable spirit as she supported the protest with enthusiasm and determination. When the situation escalated and gunfire erupted, she stood her ground, refusing to retreat even in the face of mortal danger.
During the brutal police crackdown, Bibi Darshan Kaur Ji sustained three gunshot wounds. A bullet struck her in the chest, while two others hit her in the legs. Despite the immense pain and the severity of her injuries, she did not flinch, nor did she step back. Her resolute stance in the face of such violence was a testament to her deep faith and fearlessness. In her final moments, Bibi Ji embodied the spirit of the Sikh tradition of martyrdom—never turning away from the fight for justice and truth, even at the cost of one’s life.
Her martyrdom left an irreplaceable void in the Sikh community, but her sacrifice also became a source of inspiration for countless others. Her courage, sacrifice, and commitment to the Panth continues to inspire Sikh women and men alike in their fight for justice and equality.
Legacy
Bibi Darshan Kaur Ji’s shaheedi has left an enduring legacy for the Sikh Panth. She not only stood for the rights of Sikhs but also represented the vital role that Sikh women have always played in upholding the values of the community. Her martyrdom at the age of fifty was a profound loss for her family, who were left to carry forward her legacy. She left behind two sons and two daughters, with one son and one daughter yet to be married. But her death was not in vain; she became a symbol of resistance against oppression and an embodiment of Sikh women’s contributions to Sikh history.
Her life and shaheedi remind us of the timeless Sikh principles of fearlessness and seva, where both men and women are equal in their devotion to the Guru and their duty to the Panth. Bibi Darshan Kaur Ji’s story serves as a powerful reminder that the strength of the Sikh community lies in the collective contributions and sacrifices of both men and women, each playing their part in the ongoing struggle for justice and truth.
—Sura Amritsar -Monthly Magzine, by AKJ, November 1978
ਸ਼ਹੀਦ ਸਰਦਾਰਨੀ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਕੌਰ ਜੀ
ਸਿਖ ਧਰਮ ਦੀਆਂ ਹਰ ਲਿਹਰਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਸਿਖ ਔਰਤਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਵਡਮੁਲਾ ਯੋਗਦਾਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਚਾਹੇ ਓਹ ਪੁਰਾਤਨ ਇਤਹਾਸ ਹੋਵੇ ਜਾਂ ਅਜੋਕੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਦੀ ਗੱਲ ਹੋਵੇ। ਬੀਬੀ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਕੌਰ ਵੀ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਸ਼ਹੀਦ ਸਿੱਖ ਔਰਤਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਇਕ ਸਨ ਅਤੇ ਆਪ ਜੀ ਨੇ 26 ਸਤੰਬਰ 1978 ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਨਕਲੀ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੋਧ ਸ਼ਾਂਤਮਈ ਵਿਰੋਧ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਸ਼ਹੀਦੀ ਪਾਈ। ਬੀਬੀ ਜੀ ਇਕ ਬਹਾਦੁਰ, ਨਿਡਰ ਅਤੇ ਪੰਥਕ ਮਸਲਿਆਂ ਪ੍ਰਤੀ ਡੂੰਗੀ ਸੋਚ ਰਖਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਔਰਤ ਸੀ।
ਸਰਦਾਰਨੀ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਕੌਰ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਪਤੀ ਸ. ਹਰਨਾਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਬੜੇ ਹੀ ਜੋਸ਼ੀਲੇ ਤੇ ਹਿੰਮਤ ਵਾਲੇ ਸੱਜਣ ਹਨ। ਬੀਬੀ ਜੀ ਵੀ ਬੜੇ ਦਲੇਰ, ਬਹਾਦਰ ਅਤੇ ਪੰਥਕ ਕੌਮਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਭਾਰੀ ਉਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਸਨ। ਆਪ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਂ ਸ. ਪਰਤਾਪ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਅਤੇ ਬੀਬੀ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਸਹੁਰੇ ਪਾਕਿਸਤਾਨ ਦੇ ਪਿੰਡ ਰਾਜੜ, ਤਹਿਸੀਲ ਫ਼ਤਿਹਜੰਗ, ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਾ ਕੈਂਬਲਪੁਰ ਤੋਂ ਸਨ। ਬੀਬੀ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਅਨੰਦ ਕਾਰਜ 1947 ਵਿਚ ਹੋਇਆ ਸੀ।
ਬੀਬੀ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਘਰ ਨਾਲ ਅਥਾਹ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਪਿਆਰ ਸੀ ਅਤੇ ਘਰ ਵਿਚ ਸਦਾ ਹੀ ਆਏ-ਗਏ ਗੁਰਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਵਾਹ ਚਲਦਾ ਹੀ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਸੀ। ਆਏ-ਗਏ ਸੱਜਣ ਬੀਬੀ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਨਿਰਮਾਣ ਸੇਵਾ ਤੋਂ ਬੜੇ ਹੀ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਵਤ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਸਨ। ਬੀਬੀ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਦਿਲ ਵਿਚ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਤੇ ਗੁਰ-ਚਰਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਇਤਨੀ ਪੀਤੀ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਆਪਣਾ ਨਿਤਨੇਮ ਪੂਰਾ ਕੀਤੇ ਬਿਨਾਂ ਅੰਨ ਜਲ ਮੂੰਹ ਨਹੀਂ ਸੀ ਪਾਉਂਦੇ।
1960 ‘ਚ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਸੂਬੇ ਦੇ ਮੋਰਚੇ ਵਿਚ ਆਪ ਨੇ ਤਿੰਨ ਸਾਲ ਦੀ ਬੱਚੀ ਗੋਦੀ ਵਿਚ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਗਿਰਫਤਾਰੀ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਅਤੇ ਛੇ ਮਹੀਨੇ ਦੀ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਯਾਤਰਾ ਕੀਤੀ।
ਕਾਨਪੁਰ ਦੇ ਇਸ ਖ਼ੂਨੀ ਕਾਂਡ ਵੇਲੇ ਵੀ ਬੀਬੀ ਜੀ ਰੋਸ-ਜਲੂਸ ਦਾ ਬੜੇ ਉਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਤੇ ਦਲੇਰੀ ਨਾਲ ਸਾਥ ਦੇ ਰਹੇ ਸਨ। ਆਪ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਜ਼ਾਲਮਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਤਿੰਨ ਗੋਲੀਆਂ ਲੱਗੀਆਂ- ਇਕ ਛਾਤੀ ਵਿਚ ਤੇ ਦੋ ਲੱਤਾਂ ਵਿਚ, ਪਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਕਦਮ ਰਤਾ ਵੀ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਨਾ ਹਟਿਆ।
ਆਪ ਪੰਜਾਹ ਸਾਲ ਦੀ ਆਯੂ ਵਿਚ ਸ਼ਹੀਦੀ ਪਾ ਕੇ ਕੌਮ ਨੂੰ ਹਲੂਣ ਗਏ। ਆਪ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਦੋ ਲੜਕੇ ਤੇ ਦੋ ਲੜਕੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਇਕ ਲੜਕੀ ਅਤੇ ਇਕ ਲੜਕਾ ਓਦੋਂ ਅਜੇ ਵਿਆਹੁਣ-ਯੋਗ ਸਨ।
—ਸੂਰਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ, ਮਾਸਿਕ ਰਸਾਲਾ, ਅਖੰਡ ਕੀਰਤਨੀ ਜੱਥਾ, ਨਵੰਬਰ 1978
