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Beant Singh | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Beant Singh 6 January 1959 Jaitu, East Punjab, India |
| Died | 31 October 1984 (aged 25) New Delhi, India |
| Cause of death | Shot by police after assassinating Indira Gandhi |
| Occupation | Bodyguard |
| Employer | Government of India |
| Title | Quomi Shaheed (National Martyr) by Akal Takht[1] |
| Criminal charge | Assassination of Indira Gandhi |
| Spouse |
(m. 1976) |
| Children | Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa |
| Parent | Baba Sucha Singh (father) |
Beant Singh (6 January 1959 – 31 October 1984) was one of the two bodyguards who assassinated Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at her New Delhi residence on 31 October 1984.[2]
Early life and family
[edit]
Photograph of Beant Singh in ceremonial garb
Beant Singh was born to Baba Sucha Singh and Kartar Kaur.
Singh's widow, Bimal Kaur Khalsa, initially joined a Sikh militant group[3] and was later imprisoned. She was subsequently elected as a member of the Lok Sabha from the Ropar constituency. His father, Baba Sucha Singh, was also elected to the Lok Sabha from Bathinda.[4][5][6]
Their son, Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, was elected to the Lok Sabha from Faridkot in 2024.[7]
Assassination of Indira Gandhi and death
[edit] |
The assassination was motivated by revenge for Operation Blue Star, which the Indian government had carried out at the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar.[8]
As Gandhi passed through a wicket gate guarded by Satwant Singh and Beant Singh, the two opened fire. Beant Singh fired three rounds into her abdomen from his .38 revolver, and Satwant Singh fired 30 rounds from his Sterling submachine gun after she had fallen. Beant Singh was immediately shot and killed by other guards. Satwant Singh was later hanged in 1989, along with accomplice Kehar Singh.
Legacy
[edit]In 2003, a Bhog ceremony was held at the Akal Takht in the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, where tributes were paid to the assassins.
In 2004, his death anniversary was observed at the Akal Takht, where his mother was honoured by the head priest, and tributes were paid to Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh by various political parties.[9]
On 6 January 2008, the Akal Takht declared Beant Singh and Satwant Singh 'martyrs of Sikhism'.[10][11][12]
The Shiromani Akali Dal observed the death anniversary of Beant Singh and Satwant Singh as a 'martyrdom day' for the first time on 31 October 2008.[13] Since then, their 'martyrdom day' has been observed annually at the Akal Takht.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ "Sri Akal Takht Sahib honours Bhai Satwant Singh and Bhai Kehar Singh". SinghStation. 6 January 2014. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023. Subsequently, the Akal Takht and the SGPC, granted Beant Singh, Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh, the status of "Quami shaheed" (Martyrs of the Sikh community). Their portraits have also been displayed at the Sikh Museum inside the Golden Temple complex. Their relatives have been honored at Akal Takht at every anniversary of their execution, for the last 24 years.
- ^ "1984: Assassination and revenge". BBC News. 31 October 1984. Archived from the original on 15 February 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
- ^ "Sikhs Sought in Slaying". The New York Times. India; Amritsar (India). 6 June 1986. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- ^ Crossette, Barbara (22 December 1989). "India's New Chief Given A Go-Ahead". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- ^ "'Father didn't kill Indira Gandhi to make Sikhs happy': Beant Singh's son". MyNews.in. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- ^ "Family profile". Indiaenews.com. 28 September 2012. Archived from the original on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
- ^ "'Vote against jail': How two Modi critics won India election from prison". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- ^ "Indira Gandhi Is Assassinated | Research Starters | EBSCO Research". EBSCO. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Punjab". Tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
- ^ "Chandigarh, India – Punjab". Tribuneindia.com. 7 January 2003.
- ^ "National: Indira Gandhi killers labelled martyrs". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 7 January 2003. Archived from the original on 10 January 2008. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- ^ "Indira assassin 'great martyr': Vedanti". The Indian Express. 7 January 2003. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- ^ "Chandigarh, India – Bathinda Edition". Tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
- ^ "Chandigarh, India – Punjab". Tribuneindia.com. 1 November 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
