Harjinder Singh Jinda

Harjinder Singh Jinda was a member of a Sikh or- he was moving towards his car parked across the road ganisation and one of the from his house in Kirti Nagar, New . The three as- two assassins of Arun Vaidya (the Chief of sailants continued firing even as Maken ran towards his at the time of and architect of house for cover. Maken’s wife Geetanjali and a visitor, Operation Blue Star). He was responsible for three Balkishan, were also caught in the firing. The assailants high-profile killings; Arjan Dass, and Gen. escaped on their scooters. Lalit Maken was considered to Vaidya. He along with other members of Khalistan be involved in the killings of innocent during 1984 Commando Force participated in Indian history’s biggest Anti-Sikh riots. In a 31-page booklet titled 'Who Are The bank robbery[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] of Rs.57.0 million ($4.5 Guilty', People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) listed million) from National Bank, Miller Gunj branch, 227 people who led the mobs, which killed up to 3,000 [8] to finance the campaign for a separate Sikh Sikhs over three days. Lalit Maken’s name was third state of Khalistan.[9][10] on the list.[21] A press report has indicated that someone named Bakshish Singh was also involved along with Jinda in this assassination.[22] Ranjit Singh “Gill” was arrested 1 Early life by Interpol in New Jersey, USA on 14 May 1987, a fed- eral magistrate approved his extradition on 6 February 1988[23] and he was deported back to in February Harjinder Singh’s father’s and mother’s names are Gur- 2000 after lengthy legal cases and was sentenced to life [11] [12] nam Kaur and Gulzar Singh. Jinda had two older imprisonment on 24 February 2003. Finally his life sen- [8][13][14] brothers, Nirbhail Singh and Bhupinder Singh tence was commuted on 20 May 2009.[24] and one sister, Balvinder Kaur.[11] Harinder Singh alias Mathra Singh and Jagjit Singh were nephews of Har- [12] jinder Singh Jinda. Sikh militant Surjit Singh Penta 2.2 Assassination of General Vaidya (who committed suicide by consuming cyanide during in the year of 1988) was a In 1984, General Arun Vaidya had designed and nephew of Harjinder Singh Jinda.[15][16][17] He belonged supervised[25] Operation Blue Star – a controversial mili- to a farmer family. tary operation ordered by , then Prime Min- He was born on 4 April 1962 in the village of Gadli, ister of India,[26] against a group of Sikh separatists in Jandiala in district [18] and received his early June 1984 at the , the holiest shrine of the education in his native village of Gadli[19] in district Sikhs. Amritsar. After completing his early education, he en- General Vaidya had moved to after his retirement rolled in Khalsa College, Amritsar.[13][18][20] from the army. On 10 August 1986, General Arun Vaidya India today described Jinda as 5'7” tall with a mole on the was shot to death by Jinda and Sukha while he was driving right side of his neck and two wounds on his right leg.[18] his car home from the market.[27] According to the police, the assailants pulled up next to his car on motor scooters and fired eight or nine shots into the car.[28] Vaidya report- 2 Participation in the Khalistan edly died instantly of head and neck wounds. His wife, who was also in the car, was wounded by four bullets in movement her back and thighs.[29] According to Indian intelligence sources, Vaidya had been the number four assassination He was completing his BA part II when Operation Blue target on lists by Sikh militants and he was one of several Star occurred. He left his studies and joined the Khalistan people killed in retaliation for Operation Blue Star.[30][31] separatist movement afterwards. Following the assassination, the Khalistan Commando Force issued a statement declaring that Vaidya had been killed in retaliation for the Operation Blue Star.[30] 2.1 Assassination of Lalit Maken

Harjinder Singh “Jinda” and along 2.3 Assassination of Arjan Dass with Ranjit Singh Gill gunned down Congress(I) Mem- ber of Parliament Lalit Maken on 31 July 1985,[8] when Congress (I) leader Arjun Dass was assassinated on 5 Sep

1 2 4 HONOURS/ ANNIVERSARIES

1985[32][33] by Jinda,[18] Sukha[34] and one other Sikh be- Akal and their political slogans of Khalistan Zindabad. cause of his involvement in 1984 Anti-Sikh riots. Ar- On 9 October 1992, early in the morning, Sukhdev Singh jan Dass’s name appeared in various affidavits submitted “Sukha” and Harjinder Singh “Jinda” were hanged un- by innocent Sikh victims to which til death in Pune Jail. The Independent World mentioned was headed by Justice G.T. Nanavati, retired Judge of “While being led from their cell to the gallows set up in the .[35] He was also identified [36] the gaol yard, the two convicted killers shouted among organisers of the carnage. Arjun Dass was a [49] [37] slogans for Sikh independence in the Punjab”. Both of close friend of . them were hanged at 4 am in Yerwada Central Jail Pune while extraordinary security was deployed at the jail and in the periphery of Pune to oppose any possible Sikh mil- 2.4 India’s biggest bank robbery itant attack. Security was also tightened all over Northern India.[50] On 13 February 1987, Mr. Jinda along with other mem- bers of Khalistan Commando Force, including its chief general , participated in the biggest bank rob- 3.1 Public protests bery of Indian history and robbed Rs.57.0 million (equiv- alent to $4.5 million) from Punjab National Bank, Miller The Independent World reported that “..their hanging Gunj branch, Ludhiana[8] a part of this robbed money sparked off protests by students and shop-keepers in the belonged to the Reserve Bank of India, India’s central Sikh-dominated state of Punjab” and “Security forces bank.[9][10] Per Chicago Sun Times, 12 to 15 Sikh Smil- were put on alert in , Pune, the southern city itants dressed as policemen and armed with submachine where the two assassins were hanged, and throughout the guns and rifles escaped with nearly $4.5 million in the Punjab.”.[49] biggest bank robbery in Indian history. Indian Police of- ficials described it as 'a neat and clean operation' where no one was injured. As per Indian Express, current KCF chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar was also involved in it. 3.2 Memorial service and subsequent seizure of Golden Temple by the It was documented as “Biggest Bank Robbery” under government “Curiosities and wonders” in Limca Book of Records.[38] Other Khalistan Commando Force members who partic- On their memorial service, hundreds of troops and po- ipated with Jinda in this event were Mathra Singh,[39] lice surrounded the Golden Temple. In the early morn- Paramjit Singh Panjwar,[40] Satnam Singh Bawa,[39] Gur- ing hundreds of Sikhs were ordered to move out of the nam Singh Bundala[41] Sukhdev Singh Sukha, Daljit Golden Temple. Sikh leaders , Singh Bittu,[42][43][44] Gursharan Singh Gamma[42][43][45] , and 300 and Pritpal Singh[46] etc. It enabled his organisa- others were arrested in the statewide arrests. Some peo- tion Khalistan Commando Force to buy sophisticated ple were baton charged when they tried to enter this re- weapons[20] like AK-47 Rifles[47] In regards to this bank ligious place. Approximately 300 Sikhs openly resisted robbery, Los Angeles Times has mentioned that bank the police clampdown and held the 30-minute memo- robberies have been a major means of financing the Sikh rial service inside the complex while chanting slogans militants campaign for a separate state of Khalistan. hailing the assassins and in support of Sikh homeland Khalistan. Jinda and Sukha’s fathers were presented with gold medals by Golden Temple priest. Police seize 3 Arrest and death of the temple was lifted 3 hours after the memorial service[51][52] On 17 September 1986, Sukha got into an accident with a truck in Pimpri, Pune and was arrested. He was riding the same black motorcycle which was used at the time of as- 4 Honours/ anniversaries sassination of General Vaidya. Jinda was arrested at Gur- dwara Majnoo Daa Tilla, Delhi in March 1987. He was shot in the legs at the time of his arrest. During their court In October 1999, his death anniversary was celebrated in trial, despite admitting to the killing, they pled not-guilty, his village Gadli, district Amritsar, where chief of Akal justifying their actions by saying that Vaidya was “guilty Takhat Amritsar, Giani Puran Singh declared Jinda a na- of a serious crime, the punishment for which could only tional martyr while justifying his action of killing gen- [31] eral Vaidya. Some Akali leaders stayed away from this be death”. They were awarded death sentences at 2:05 [53] pm on 21 October 1989. Sukha and Jinda also wrote a let- function. ter to asking for “No-Clemency” prior On 9 October 2000, representatives of all major Sikh to their hanging.[48] They welcomed their death sentences bodies, including ruling Shiromani , the with Sikh religious slogans of Bole So Nihal, Sat Shri SHSAD, the SGPC, the , AISSF and the 3

Dal Khalsa attended the eighth death anniversary of Har- [11] Vancouver, The (6 October 2006). “Mother of assassin to jinder Singh Jinda and Sukhdev Singh Sukha. To honour be honoured in Sikh ceremony ceremony”. Canada.com. Jinda and Sukha, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Head of [12] (Supreme Sikh temporal seat), performed the 'ardas’ (a Sikh religious rite). Both Sukha and Jinda were [13] “Letter’s of Bhai Harjinder Singh 'Jinda' and Bhai declared as “great martyrs’ of the Sikh nation during this Sukhdev Singh 'Sukha'". Damdamitaksaal.org. event.[54] [14] “The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Punjab”. Tribunein- On 9 October 2002, per , on Jinda’s death an- dia.com. niversary, “Tributes were paid to the assassins of General Vaidya – Jinda and Sukhdev Singh Sukha” and Jinda’s [15] Harish K. Puri; Paramjit S. Judge; Jagrup Singh Sekhon mother was honoured by Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, (1999). Terrorism in Punjab: understanding grassroots re- chief of Akal Takhat.[55] ality. Har-Anand Publications. Retrieved 27 July 2013. In October 2005, the anniversary of his death was cele- [16] Kewal Krishan Nayyar (2003). at the crossroads. brated in his native village of Gadli by various Sikh or- Rupa & Co. Retrieved 27 July 2013. ganisation including Dal Khalsa, Damdami Taksal, Akal [17] K. Bhushan; G. Katyal (2002). Attack on Parliament: [19] Federation and Sikh Students Federation etc. and his Challenges Before the Nation. APH Publishing. p. 43. family was again honoured by Dal Khalsa in Fateh Garh ISBN 978-81-7648-331-5. Retrieved 27 July 2013. Sahib in Punjab, India.[56] [18] India Today. Living Media India Pvt. Limited. 1986. Dashmesh Durbar Sikh temple in Surrey, Canada re- Retrieved 27 July 2013. cently organised special prayers for both Jinda and Sukha in Canada[57] [19] “The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Punjab”. Tribunein- dia.com. 18 October 2005. On 9 October 2008, Shiromani Prabandhak Committee honoured kin of Jinda and Sukha in the [20] Ram Narayan Kumar (1 April 1997). The Sikh unrest and Golden Temple complex, to mark the anniversaries of the Indian state: , personalities, and historical ret- their death. SGPC declared Jinda and Sukha ‘martyrs of rospective. Ajanta. ISBN 978-81-202-0453-9. Retrieved Sikh nation' and added that Jinda and Sukha took revenge 27 July 2013. of Operation Blue Star.[8] [21]

[22] “Orlando Sentinel – Orlando, Fla”. 5 References Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. 22 September 1985. [23] Published: 6 February 1988 (6 February 1988). “The [1] “The Tribune, October 10, 2008, PUNJAB STORIES”. New York Times, February 6, 1988”. Nytimes.com. Tribuneindia.com. [24] “The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Punjab”. Tribunein- [2] “Los Angeles Times – Feb 12, 1987”. dia.com. Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. 12 February 1987. [25] “IN BRIEF; Indian General Who Raided Temple Is [3] “Los Angeles Times, Date: Feb 13, 1987, Start Page: 5, Slain”. . 17 August 1986. Section: 1; Foreign Desk”. Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. 13 February 1987. [26] “Operation Bluestar, 20 Years On”. Rediff.com.

[4] “Washington Post – Feb 13, 1987”. [27] . “Shrine Leader Killed in Ambush”, The Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. 13 February 1987. Dallas Morning News, 11 August 1986.

[5] “Philadelphia Inquirer – February 13, 1987 – A13 NA- [28] Weisman, Steven R. “A Top Indian General is Assassi- TIONAL”. Nl.newsbank.com. 13 February 1987. nated”, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 11 August 1986.

[6] “Chicago Tribune, Feb 13, 1987, Start: Page 14”. [29] Sun-Times Wires. “Sikhs kill ex-army chief, massacre Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. 13 February 1987. revenge hinted”, Chicago Sun-Times, 11 August 1986.

[7] “Boston Globe: SIKHS STEAL $4.4M, February 13, [30] Associated Press. “General cremated; Sikhs admit to 1987”. Nl.newsbank.com. killing”, c/o Houston Chronicle, 11 August 1986.

[8] “The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Punjab”. Tribunein- [31] “The Vaidya Murder Case: Confirming Death Sentences”, dia.com. India Abroad. (New York edition). New York, N.Y.: 24 July 1992. Vol.XXII, Issue. 43; pg.20. [9] “Sikh Separatists Masquerade as Police to Stage India’s Biggest Bank Robbery”. 13 February 1987. [32] “Montreal Gazette Sept 5 1985”. News.google.com.

[10] “Sikhs rob India bank of $4.5 million”. Highbeam.com. [33] “Sydney Morning Herald”. News.google.com. 1 Septem- Retrieved 2013-11-07. ber 1985. 4 6 EXTERNAL LINKS

[34] “Welcome to Frontline : Vol. 28 :: No. 26”. Hinduon- 6 External links net.com. • Letter sent by the two to the President of India ask- [35] ing for no clemency [36] Irfan. “CC October 2009”. Sabrang.com. • Letter of Bhai Sukha-Jinda in Panjabi Language [37] “Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Sep 5, 1985”. • Harjinder Singh Jinda & Sukhdev Singh Sukha Bi- News.google.com. ography. [38] Limca Book of Records. Bisleri Beverages Limited. 1999. Retrieved 27 July 2013.

[39] Asian Recorder. K. K. Thomas at Recorder Press. 1987. Retrieved 27 July 2013.

[40] “Paramjit Singh Panjwar (Khalistan Commando Force) – Indian Express”. Indianexpress.com. 4 December 2008.

[41] “Sorry”. Indianexpress.com.

[42]

[43] “Killers of Lalit Maken held” (PDF).

[44]

[45] “IN one of the most remarkable” (PDF).

[46] “News & Current Events”. Ministry of Truth.

[47] Kirpal S. Dhillon (2006). Identity and Survival: Sikh Mil- itancy in India, 1978-1993. Penguin Group USA. ISBN 978-0-14-310036-2. Retrieved 27 July 2013.

[48] “sikhstudentsfederation.com”. sikhstudentsfedera- tion.com. Retrieved 2013-11-07.

[49] Mcgirk, Tim (10 October 1992). “Protests after hanging of Sikhs – World – News – The Independent”. The Inde- pendent (London).

[50] “New Straits Times Malaysia – Oct 10, 1992”. News.google.com. 10 October 1992.

[51] “Sikhs defy police to mourn killers – World – News – The Independent”. The Independent (London). 19 October 1992.

[52] “Van bombed: A bomb blew up an Israeli van in the occu- pied West Bank on Saturday night, killing one passenger and seriously injuring two others, official military sources said”. Nl.newsbank.com. Retrieved 2013-11-07.

[53] “Sikh cleric lauds Vaidya killers, embarrasses Akalis” (PDF). Indiarightsonline.com. Retrieved 2013-11-07.

[54] “The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Punjab”. Tribunein- dia.com.

[55] “The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Punjab”. Tribunein- dia.com. 10 October 2002.

[56] “The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Punjab”. Tribunein- dia.com. Retrieved 2013-11-07.

[57] 5

7 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

7.1 Text

• Harjinder Singh Jinda Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harjinder_Singh_Jinda?oldid=673453323 Contributors: Darkwind, Di- madick, Utcursch, D6, Woohookitty, BD2412, Rjwilmsi, Anantdhillon, Neumeier, Nlu, SmackBot, Chris the speller, Shivap, Derek R Bullamore, Kukini, Ohconfucius, Nishkid64, Robofish, Haligonian1, Cydebot, Alaibot, Hydman, Waacstats, Dharmadhyaksha, Journojp, CommonsDelinker, Iamparmjit, Sunnybondsinghjalwehra, SJP, Signalhead, Hugo999, WOSlinker, Sandhu75, Singh6, KnowledgeHege- mony, Fauj, Lightmouse, Sfan00 IMG, Niceguyedc, PMDrive1061, Shalimer, Iohannes Animosus, DumZiBoT, WikHead, Good Olfac- tory, Daulakh, Addbot, Profitoftruth85, 5 albert square, Jarble, Legobot, Yobot, Nirvana888, Wiki mave, Beetle CT, AnomieBOT, Modi mode, LilHelpa, Tanda123, Av8erprince, FrescoBot, Batinde, DrilBot, Punjabdejatt, RjwilmsiBot, GoingBatty, DawnOfTheBlood, Mar4d, SACHINRULES, Δ, Mrsinghsahib, Titodutta, Noopur28, Meatsgains, Cyberbot II, Amanpreet7, BigJolly9, Melonkelon and Anonymous: 57

7.2 Images

7.3 Content license

• Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0