STOPPAGE AT ROHTAK (BLESSING DHILLON SAHIB, SP, POLICE)
The sangat of Delhi traveled in a train with Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj. When the train reached Rohtak Station, Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj and the entire sangat alighted from the train. Sardar Gurcharan Singh Dhillon, a staunch follower of Sant Baba ji was posted in Rohtak as the Superintendent of Police. He had a lot of devotion and love for Sant ji Maharaj but because of his difficult duty hours could not go to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan, and pay his homage to Sant Baba ji. He however paid his obeisance to Sant ji Maharaj by bowing his head daily on the feet of his revered Sant ji Maharaj, in his mind.
Mr. Dhillon was considered a strict officer. He did not accept bribe from anyone and served with honesty. He was sent to Rohtak, (which happened to be a part of Punjab at that time, though it is now in the state of Haryana) as a punishment. Rohtak area at that time was quite infested with thieves and dacoits. The citizens were afraid but totally under the grip of these dreadful elements of the society. One could see fear on the faces of the residents of the city. The dacoits shared their loot with the personnel in the Police force and thus the Police took no action on any of the complaints by the public.
When Mr. Dhillon was posted in Rohtak, he acquainted himself with the conditions of the city and the strange behavior of the citizens.
He immediately involved himself in cleansing the city from the criminals. Raids were made to catch the thieves, whenever some secret information was received. The dacoits were also caught in this manner. Some dacoits were caught after barricades and encounter. Soon enough the citizens could enjoy a good night’s sleep. The Police personnel posted there were afraid of Mr. Dhillon. They obeyed his orders but since the extra income that they were earning was no longer available, they also felt resentful of him.
The rich of the city thanked Mr. Dhillon and also showed their regards for him. He became a popular Police officer of the city. The citizens however said to him, “There seems to be some kind of hidden force behind you. You are able to take action so fearlessly.”
Dhillon Sahib replied, “Yes! There is no doubt that I have a force behind me and that force lives in Nirmal Kutiya Johalan.”
The people said, “We would also like to see the graceful force.”
Dhillon Sahib said, “For that you will have to be taken to Jalandhar, which is not possible at the moment.”
Dhillon Sahib continued working in Rohtak for quite some time. He then received his transfer orders. Another officer came to take over the charge from him. Dhillon Sahib was not informed of his next station of posting.
Dhillon Sahib seriously felt the void created due to his inability to visit Nirmal Kutiya Johalan and seeing Sant Baba ji. He prayed silently, “Maharaj ji! I have been transferred from here and do not know where I will be sent. This city has been cleansed of bad elements, because of your blessings. Please visit this place so that the people of the city can have DARSHAN of the mighty force that works for me.”
Everything comes from You, O Lord; You Yourself created the creation. Blessed with the Blessed Vision of the Darshan of the Holy, Nanak sings the Glorious Praises of the Lord. ||5||14||44|| (Page 811)
Dhillon Sahib could not imagine that to answer his prayers, Sant Baba ji had already started from Jalandhar. At the Rohtak Station, Nambardar Didar Singh rang up Dhillon Sahib and said, “I am calling from the Railway Station and want to see you.”
The call from Giani Didar Singh made Dhillon Sahib excited and he asked, “Are you alone or is Maharaj ji with you?”
Nambardar ji said, “Yes! Maharaj ji and the sangat are also here.”
Dhillon Sahib was very enthusiastic and said, “You stay at the Station. I am reaching there.”
This was all Almighty’s doing. Dhillon Sahib was in the midst of handing over the charge to the new officer. Dhillon Sahib said to the new official, “My Holy saint is in the city. I will hand over the complete charge now after he has visited the city. I want to pay my full respects to my graceful saint who has specially come to visit this city.”
The new officer was intelligent enough to understand about the situation that had suddenly cropped up. He said, “You don’t have to worry about the handing over the charge. You look after your preceptor with full respect. I will in the meantime take charge of the armoury from the junior officials.”
This part having been taken care of, Dhillon Sahib now worked on the ways and means of paying his respects to Sant ji Maharaj. By the time Dhillon Sahib reached the Station with his family, a band had been arranged to welcome Sant Baba ji.
At the Railway platform, Dhillon Sahib took off his shoes at a distance and walked the distance to Sant Baba ji bare foot. He fell on the feet of Sant Baba ji. He thanked Sant Baba ji by repeatedly striking his forehead on his feet. Sant Baba ji kept looking at him with his graceful eyes. Dhillon Sahib remained in this position for quite some time. Sant ji Maharaj then spoke, “Sahib! What are your instructions?”
Dhillon Sahib sat on the platform of the station in the lotus position. He folded his hands and requested Sant Baba ji, “Maharaj ji! You have blessed this land with your Holy feet. Please bless my office also.”
Sant Baba ji said, “Sahib! Lead us.”
The staff saw the humility in Dhillon Sahib for the first time. They discussed about the new trait they observed in him today. They said, “He is such a strict officer. But he is a very kind person at heart. We have seen him bowing in front of someone for the first time.”
When I see a Sikh of the Guru, I humbly bow and fall at his feet. (Page 763)
On reaching the office, Dhillon Sahib requested Sant Baba ji to sit on his official chair. The staff was surprised to observe this. Carpets had been laid out in the room for the sangat.
The band played for some time to welcome Sant Baba ji. The Police office had a different look today. The resentful colleagues forgot about their enmity with Dhillon Sahib on seeing him sit on the carpet along with the juniors. Many officers and staff garlanded Sant Baba ji.
Nambardar Didar Singh took charge for the distribution of tea and snacks to the sangat present there. Sant Baba ji was smiling and charming everyone with the divine glow.
Sant Baba ji asked Dhillon Sahib, “Sahib! How long is your duty here?”
Dhillon Sahib replied, “Maharaj ji! I have been transferred from here. The new officer has already begun taking the charge. Fresh posting orders will soon come. Please bless and call me near your abode.”
Sant Baba ji said, “Everything will be all right.”
High officials and respected citizens of Rohtak who came to know about the presence of Sant Baba ji, started coming to the office of Dhillon Sahib. Sant Baba ji asked Giani Didar Singh to sing the Holy Hymns. Giani Didar Singh was a good singer and sang the praises of the Lord. The entire sangat enjoyed the sweet Kirtan.
Since Nambardar ji did not accept money for performing Kirtan, Dhillon Sahib garlanded Nambardar ji with a revolver. Sangat raised slogans in praise of the Lord on observing this generosity.
When everyone had passed through the stage of delight, Sant Baba ji took leave and started with the sangat towards Delhi.