CM Samrat Choudhary Pays Tribute to Baba Harbhajan Singh
Synopsis
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary paid tribute to legendary martyr Baba Harbhajan Singh on his death anniversary, honouring the soldier who sacrificed his life defending India's border in 1968 and whose legend endures among troops on the eastern frontier.
Key Takeaways
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary posted a tribute to Baba Harbhajan Singh on his punyatithi , 4 October 2026.
Baba Harbhajan Singh was an Indian Army soldier who died in 1968 near Nathu La Pass , Sikkim, aged 27 .
A shrine — the Harbhajan Singh Baba Mandir — stands in his honour near Jelep La in Sikkim and is visited by soldiers and civilians alike.
CM Choudhary described the martyr's sacrifice as an eternal source of inspiration for all Indians.
Tributes to Baba Harbhajan Singh are observed across military cantonments and by political leaders on both sides of the aisle every year.
A soldier who never truly left his post — Baba Harbhajan Singh is remembered each year on his death anniversary not merely as a fallen warrior, but as a legend who, according to enduring belief among troops, continued to guard the India-China border long after his passing. On Sunday, 4 October 2026, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary joined the nation in paying homage to the martyr, offering a heartfelt tribute on the occasion of his punyatithi (death anniversary).
Posting on X, CM Choudhary wrote: 'Humble tribute on the death anniversary of brave soldier Baba Harbhajan Singh Ji, who gave his supreme sacrifice for the defence of the country. His dedication, courage, and sacrifice for the nation will always inspire the countrymen.'
The Soldier Whose Legend Outlived His Lifetime
Baba Harbhajan Singh was an Indian Army soldier who died in 1968 near the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim while escorting a mule column. He was 27 years old. In the decades since, he has become one of the most revered figures among Indian Army personnel stationed along the high-altitude eastern frontier. Troops at the Indo-China border have long held that his spirit continues to protect them — a belief strong enough that a shrine, the Harbhajan Singh Baba Mandir, was built in his honour near Jelep La in Sikkim, drawing thousands of soldiers and civilians every year.A Name Etched in the Army's Living Memory
What makes Baba Harbhajan Singh's story remarkable is not just the sacrifice, but the reverence that followed. The Indian Army reportedly once held a seat for him on a train — a gesture that, true or legendary, captures the extraordinary emotional bond troops feel with this martyr. His anniversary is observed with solemnity across military cantonments and by political leaders across party lines, a rare unity in a polarised landscape. CM Choudhary's tribute reflects a broader recognition: that soldiers who fall on distant, freezing frontiers deserve to be remembered not only on Republic Day parades, but on the quiet anniversaries that belong to them alone. The kicker for a nation watching its borders with renewed attention — the memory of one soldier, it turns out, can anchor the courage of thousands.Point of View
Particularly in a state like Bihar with a historically strong army-recruitment culture. CM Samrat Choudhary's gesture fits a broader BJP pattern of foregrounding border heroes as symbols of national resolve. The choice of Baba Harbhajan Singh — venerated across rank and file rather than just in official memory — signals an appeal to grassroots sentiment within the forces and their families. At a time of sustained attention on India's eastern borders, keeping such figures visible in public discourse carries both cultural and strategic resonance.
NationPress
4 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Baba Harbhajan Singh?
Baba Harbhajan Singh was an Indian Army soldier who died in 1968 near Nathu La Pass in Sikkim while on duty. He became a legendary figure among troops on the India-China border, and a shrine — the Harbhajan Singh Baba Mandir — was built in his honour in Sikkim.
When did Baba Harbhajan Singh die?
Baba Harbhajan Singh died in 1968 near the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. He was 27 years old at the time of his death.
Why is Baba Harbhajan Singh called 'Baba'?
He is addressed as 'Baba' out of deep reverence by Indian Army soldiers who believe his spirit continues to protect troops at the high-altitude eastern frontier, making him a venerated guardian figure rather than just a historical martyr.
What did Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary say about Baba Harbhajan Singh?
CM Samrat Choudhary offered a 'humble tribute' on the death anniversary of Baba Harbhajan Singh, stating that the soldier's dedication, courage, and sacrifice for the nation would always inspire countrymen.
Where is the Baba Harbhajan Singh temple located?
The Harbhajan Singh Baba Mandir is located near Jelep La in Sikkim, close to the India-China border, and is visited by thousands of soldiers and civilians each year.
