Sidhu Moosewala, the late singer known for his powerful lyrics, recently released a song on his official YouTube channel that has taken the music world by storm. Titled after the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, the song became an instant hit, garnering over 1 million views within the first 30 minutes of its release. In this captivating song, Moosewala mentions a name that has piqued the curiosity of listeners - Balwinder Singh Jattana. So, who exactly was Balwinder Singh Jattana?

The Story Behind Balwinder Singh Jattana

Balwinder Singh Jattana gained notoriety as a "Sikh Liberation Hero" for his involvement in a tragic incident that occurred during a meeting in Chandigarh. The incident took place in July 1990 during an official gathering concerning the construction of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal. This ambitious project aimed to allocate water resources from Punjab to Haryana and Delhi.

Jattana, a resident of Ropar, stormed into the meeting accompanied by his associates Balbir Singh Fauji, Jagtar Singh Pinjola, and Harmeet Singh Bhaowal. In a shocking turn of events, they opened fire on the officials present, resulting in the deaths of SYL's Chief Engineer, MS Sikri, and Superintending Engineer Avtar Aulakh.

Investigation and Controversial Claims

Following the incident, the state police launched a manhunt to apprehend Jattana and the other individuals involved in the killing. While Jattana himself was not found at his residence during the police search, his family members were reportedly detained.

During the investigation, Nirpreet Kaur, an accomplice of Jattana, made some controversial claims. She alleged that the police, aided by a Poohla Nihang, had burned alive four members of Jattana's family. The victims included Jattana's grandmother, Dwarki Kaur, his aunt Jamsher Kaur, his sister Manpreet Kaur, and his nephew Simranjit Singh. Nirpreet Kaur also confirmed that Jattana was responsible for the murders of the engineers.

It later came to light that Balwinder Singh Jattana was a militant associated with the pro-Khalistan outfit, Babbar Khalsa. A substantial monetary reward of Rs. 16 lakh had been set on his head. However, Jattana's life met a tragic end when he was shot dead during a police encounter in 1991.

A Legacy Remembered

The mention of Balwinder Singh Jattana in Sidhu Moosewala's SYL song has sparked interest among listeners, shedding light on an important chapter in history. Jattana's actions and the subsequent events surrounding his life and death continue to be a subject of discussion and controversy.

As Moosewala's song captivates audiences with its powerful lyrics and catchy melodies, it serves as a reminder of the past and the individuals who left an indelible mark on the collective memory. Balwinder Singh Jattana's name will forever be associated with the tragic events surrounding the SYL canal project, ensuring that his story is not forgotten.