Harbhajan Singh: The legend lives on

Nov. 15: The entire Nathu-la region and the army units in Sikkim have been mourning the death of the 102-year-old mother of legendary armyman, Baba Harbhajan Singh, whose spirit still “protects and guides” soldiers on the Sino-Indian border 38 years after his death.

Baba’s annual two-month leave, which started on September 14, has been extended by 20 days following the death of his mother Amar Kaur on November 7 at his native Borodal Gaon village in Kapurthala, Punjab.

“Harbhajan Baba might have died 38 years ago, but he is still the sole guardian of the 17 Mountain Division, which guards the border at snow covered Nathu la,” said an officer at the Baba’s temple, located at an altitude of 14,200 ft.

The army agrees and has kept Baba on its payroll even today.

In mid-September, this 38-year-old tradition was challenged in a Punjab court by Subedar Piara Singh, a former serviceman from Raipur Rasulpur in Jalandhar. Singh filed a suit for mandatory injunction in the court against the defence ministry, asking them to ensure that such “superstitions” are not advertised through the media.

Now, when Baba, who was promoted to an honorary captain a year ago, is on the verge of retirement, the army has reportedly started searching for ways to give him special extension, Lieutenant Harpreet Singh Walia of the mountain division, told The Telegraph.

“What is wrong with a belief that strengthens the sense of national integrity and people’s welfare?” asked Walia. “A part of Baba’s monthly salary used to be sent to his mother, and the rest was spent for the welfare of the poor and distressed. Now his entire salary would be spent on welfare work.”

Harbhajan Singh of the Dogra Regiment died near Nathu-la in 1968, while on patrol near the China border.