Shaheed Sardar Nanak Singh 

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The Daily Ajit, Lahore, March 22, 1947

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English Translation 

Martyr Sadar Nanak Singh

(By a Sympathiser)

Stories about martyrs revive the spirits of nations. Since Sadar Nanak Singh was martyred, there have been restrictions imposed by the authorities on giving out any details of the circumstances of his martyrdom. Details will be revealed only after censorship is lifted. At present it seems important to write something only about his personal life.

Sardar Nanak Singh was the only son of Dr Wazir Singh, retired sub assistant surgeon, Rawalpindi district. He passed the matriculation examination in first division. He was the most intelligent pupil at school. He also stood first in the FA and BA examinations. After graduation, he started practicing as a lawyer at Jarhanwala.

Committed to honest public service, he started a campaign against the corrupt public service officials who were used to taking bribes. He faced difficulties and oppositions but remained steadfast in public service.

Later he jouned the police as a sub inspector. When injustice was done to the Sikhs at Sargodha, he raised his voice of protest despite his official position. As a punishment for this “crime”, he was transferred to Dear Ghazi Khan.

There was endless fervour for the Sikh Faith in his heart. Thus he acted as an honorary missionary. Several educated and high-ranking state officials embraced the Sikh religion. A British superintendent of police once remarked, “I don’t want to remain in Nanak Singh’s company. He is so persuasive and convincing that I am afraid, I’ll embrace the Sikh religion”.

Sardar Nanak Singh then resigned from the police service and started practicing as a lawyer in Multan.

Now there was a vast open field in front of him to render public service. He won fame in a short time in Multan, and everyone without exception came to respect him. He was looked upon with respect not only by the Sikhs of Multan but also by the whole “Panth” (Sikh Community). On every issue he was foremost to make any sacrifice required of him. Soon he acquired unrivalled fame across the State.

He held the following offices;

  1. General Secretary, Akali Jatha, Lahore.
  2. Chief Commander, Akali Regiment, Multan.
  3. President, Minorities Federation, Multan.
  4. President, Divisional Post and Telegraph Union, Multan.
  5. Vice President, Bar Association, Multan.
  6. Vice President, Movement for Communal Harmony, Multan.

What glory of that great man who died as a martyr performing his duty for the nation!

Sardar Nanak Singh delivered an enthusiastic speech at the Gurdwara on anti Pakistan Dat during which he offered to render every sacrifice against the creation of the new Islamic State of Pakistan on the soil of India. He declared his resolve to be the first martyr if the need arose. In the event, this is what actually happened. He was the first martyr among the Sikhs of Multan. It is said that he prayed to the congregation at the gurdwara to grant him the privilege of sacrificing his life to defend and uphold the unity of India.

An “akhand path” was held on March 17, 1947 to pray to God to shower His blessings on the departed soul. Tears came to the eyes of some at the congregation while hearing the story of Sadar Nanak Singhs’ life and deeds.

His elderly father, whose only son had been martyred, was addressing the congregation with a quote from Sri Guru Granth Sahib, “We should not mourn the death of a saint who returned to his permanent abode at the feet of God”.

Dr Wazir Singh, the father of the brave and patriotic martyr, was resolute and displayed the strength and courage of his heart. There were no tears in his eyes. He was proud that hi son had made the extreme sacrifice for the nation and country.

The martyrdom of Sadar Nanak Singh has not only brought grief to his family but also plunged the whole “Panth” in shock and mourning. Indeed, the Sikhs have lost a young man who was lion hearted and was ever ready to make every sacrifice for the nation.

It is not befitting to shed tears over the death of a true martyr. But since we are all human, we cannot help shedding tears in grief.