AS

At around 10 am, I, Bhai Amreek Singh, and others went to the highest roof of Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib where the meeting was to take place. Because there were too many Singhs and not enough room, they had formed an “L” shape around the dome. Tyaar-bar-tyaar Singhs with yellow dastaars, yellow kamarkasas, and knee-length cholas and kachheras, with their weapons facing skyward, presented an amazing sight. This sight can be seen in paintings of puratan times. I took a place in the corner facing Harmandar Sahib. Sant ji came and stood in a corner. He could see all the Singhs from this spot. He said, “Singho, the government will, according to its strategy, surround us with 100,000 soldiers. It is possible that jets and helicopters could be used, and parachute soldiers could be dropped onto the parikrama. But until then, you will not fire any weapons until the soldiers fire. Let the government fire first… Until the soldiers jump from the planes, do not fire. But when they do, not one parachutist should land alive. Don’t waste ammunition, and you should take one life with each bullet at least. If the enemy comes very close, distribute the ladoos (hand grenades). This will be a very terrifying incident, but taking the support of Guru Ram Das ji’s feet, we will pass this test… Don’t lose heart. Remain steadfast. The time has come when the Dharam cannot be protected without giving our heads…” Journalist Subhash Kirpekar went to ask Bhindranwale, “Will you not be outnumbered by the army, which has superior weapons too?” Sant ji replied, “Sheep always outnumber lions. But one lion can take care of a thousand sheep. When the lion sleeps, the birds chirp. When it awakes, the birds fly away. There is silence.” Subhash Kirpekar asked what could be done to stop the violence. He replied, “Ask those who are responsible for it.”