London mugging hero declared Sikh martyr

AMRITSAR - A man who became a hero in London earlier this month for chasing and confronting muggers and being fatally stabbed has been declared a martyr of the Sikh community.

The announcement declaring Sukhwinder Singh of Dholanwal village near Khanna town in Ludhiana district a martyr has been made by Akal Takht jathedar (chief) Gurbachan Singh. Akal Takht is the highest temporal seat of Sikh religion.

The photograph of Sukhwinder Singh will now be put up at the Sikh museum located inside the Golden Temple complex, which houses the holiest of Sikh shrines Harmandir Sahib.

Gurbachan Singh made the announcement after a meeting of the five Sikh high priests held here Friday.

“Sukhwinder Singh showed utmost bravery in his action in confronting the criminals in London. He has been declared a martyr of Sikh religion. His photograph will be put up at the Sikh museum,” the Akal Takht head said.

He added that Sukhwinder had brought pride to the Sikh community through his selfless act and the whole community would be indebted to his family for his sacrifice.

Braveheart Sukhwinder, who was termed a “hero” by London’s Metropolitian Police, had chased and confronted two youths, described as black men in their 20s or 30s, near East London’s Barking station Jan 8 evening when they mugged a young woman.

The muggers stabbed Sukhwinder, 31, who died at London’s Royal Hospital.

The Sikh community in London and Britain arranged with local authorities to send his body back to India Wednesday after formalities were completed.

He was cremated at his native village Thursday with hundreds of mourners converging for the funeral.

Like many Punjabi youth for whom settling in western countries is a dream, Sukhwinder too had left his rural home near Punjab’s industrial hub of Ludhiana a decade ago to make it good in Britain.

His son, Gurinder, was born after Sukhwinder had left for Britain. In trying to settle himself down in that country, Sukhwinder, who was a builder there, could not visit his home in the last 10 years.

He had saved money to visit his family - his parents, his wife Sandeep Kaur and the son, whom he had never seen in person - during his visit this summer (June). But the early January incident changed everything.