Tributes paid to Baba Bilga
Kusum Arora
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, June 7
As the modern youth is going a bit astray, the country needs people like Baba Bhagat Singh Bilga to be a guiding force for them, said Manpreet Singh Badal, Finance Minister, while paying tributes to the late legendary Ghadarite at his native Bilga village, 40 km from here, today.
“We should not forget people like Baba Bilga who were the first to launch a struggle to bring an end to racial attacks and discrimination in some of the European countries, including the UK, several decades ago,” said Manpreet Brar.
Recalling his association with the Indian Workers Association, a body of Indian workers patronised by Baba Bilga in the UK, Manpreet said the icons of the Indian freedom movement such as Baba Bilga had a tremendous influence on him when he was a student. “I also worked for a publication that was the official organ of the association,” said Manpreet.
Expressing grief over the loss of a visionary leader, he said, “I have come here as a family member and not as a politician. It was indeed an experience to have been closely associated with Baba Bilga”.
Besides Manpreet, the condolence ceremony was attended by Revenue Minister Ajeet Singh Kohar, Congress candidate Gurbinder Singh Atwal and family members of Baba Bilga. The ceremony was organised by the Shradhanjali Samaroh Committee from Bilga village. The Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Hall (DBYH) will organise another tribute ceremony on June 21.
Highlighting the role of the revolutionary, comrade Gandharv Sen Kochhar said as a person Baba always remained the voice of the masses.
Baba Bilga was the name of an institution whose true ideology will remain forever. The light of knowledge taught by Baba Bilga will inspire and enlighten the generations to come, said Amolak Singh, assistant secretary, DBYH.
Amanbir Sangehera, elder grandson of Baba Bilga, said, “Babaji always used to say that besides the two eyes given by the Almighty we have been endowed with the third eye of wisdom, which teaches us that every caste, creed, colour and religion is equal. Nothing is eternal, only knowledge remains forever”.
Other speakers present on the occasion were Mangat Ram Pasla of CPM, Punjab, Surinder Kumari Kochhar, Kulbir Singh Sangehera, CPI (ML) New Democracy, Punjab secretary Darshan Khatkar, CPM, Punjab secretary, Charan Singh Virdi and Prithipal Singh Marhimegha, CPI.
Earlier, on June 5 the ashes of Baba Bilga was immersed in the Sutlej, near the Hussainiwala border, as per his wish. Members of the DBYH were also present.
