Gurbachan Singh Manochahal
Honorable Jathedar Gurbachan Singh Manochahal | |
|---|---|
| ਮਾਣਯੋਗ ਜਥੇਦਾਰ ਗੁਰਬਚਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਮਾਨੋਚਾਹਲ | |
| Acting Jathedar of Akal Takht | |
| In office April 27, 1986 – January 26, 1987. | |
| Preceded by | Gurdev Singh Kaunke |
| Succeeded by | Darshan Singh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gurbachan Singh 6 June 1954 Manochahal, Tarn Taran, Panjab |
| Died | 27 February 1993 (aged 38) Rataul, Tarn Taran, Panjab |
| Spouse | Dalbir Kaur |
| Parents |
|
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Sikh Nation |
| Branch/service | Bhindranwala Tigers Force of Khalistan |
| Rank | Jathedar |
Gurbachan Singh Manochahal (Punjabi: ਗੁਰਬਚਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਮਾਨੋਚਾਹਲ, Shahmukhī: گربچن سنگھ مانوچاہل), was a Punjabi Sikh nationalist leader[1] who founded the Bhindranwala Tigers Force of Khalistan in 1984[2] and served as the acting Jathedar of Akal Takht from April 1986 to January 1987.
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Early life
Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal was born on June 6, 1954 at village Manochahal in Tarn Taran district in Punjab to Atma Singh and Gurmej Kaur. His uncle had died in the Jaito Morcha agitation against the British Raj.
In 1978, Manochahal was shot in the arm during the clash between Sikhs and the Nirankari, which led to the death of 13 Sikhs. Baba Manochahal maintained a relationship with Damdami Taksal and became acquainted with other members of the organization, such as Amrik Singh and Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
Leadership
Shortly after Operation Blue Star, Manochahal conpired with other individuals linked to Bhindranwale to form armed groups which resulted in the formation of the BTFK headed by Manochahal himself and the Khalistan Commando Force headed by Manbir Singh Chaheru. In 1986, Manochahal led the resolution at the 1986 Sarbat Khalsa to declare the resolve of a separate Sikh homeland called Khalistan and also formed a committee which would lead the direction of this resolution.
In 1992, a separate committee headed by Dr. Sohan Singh was formed which had the support of other outfits such as Babbar Khalsa which called for the boycott of the 1992 Punjab elections which led to the election of Beant Singh of the Congress Party. The formation of this committee undermined the influence of Manochahal who was criticized for his support for political participation and led to a divide between the armed groups within Punjab.
Death
On 27 February 1993, Manochahal was killed in a police encounter.[3]
References
- ^
Terrorism in Punjab. Gyan Books. 1 Jan 2000. p. 412 pages.
{{cite book}}:|first=missing|last=(help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Mahmood, Cynthia Keppley (1996). Fighting for Faith and Nation. Series in Contemporary Ethnography. University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 159ff. ISBN 9780812215922.
- ^ "Indian police kill top Sikh guerilla". The Daily Gazette. 1 March 1993.
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