Title PARTITION: TAPE 82 Writer 255MODEM Mod Date & Time 255MODEM Mar 13 07:17 TAPE 82 Side A on beginning of cassette: URVASHI BUTALIA recorded at IIC, Delhi 3/98 on her thoughts about the Thoha Khalsa memorial services, several of which she has attended; she's part Sikh thro her father's family, but determinedly secular [not transcribed - earlier interview on tape 55] THOHA KHALSA MEMORIAL MEETING 12/3/98 visited Gurudwara Singh Sabha on Bhogal Road, a back street off Bhogal market, on eve of annual memorial meeting; a well organised, large gurdwara built after partition; in the cellar, preparing langar food; met various elderly members of the congregation, notably HARMOHAN SINGH SYALLY, an exec member of the gurudawra, who is from Thoha Khalsa, and two of whose real sisters died in the well. Interview with HARMOHAN SINGH recorded outside the gurudwara in English Shewn round by HARDEV SINGH JOHAR, a younger man, c 50s, who is general secretary of the gurudwara; as we came out of the gurudwara there was a body being blessed on its way to the ghat 13/3/98 [Friday] the exact anniversary of the Thoha Khalsa well deaths; every year a 'bhog' memorial service is held at the gurudwara, though this year smaller than usual as 13/3 was also 'holi' Sides A + B Talked to HARDEV SINGH JOHAR turbanned with cropped beard, thoughtful man; from Jhelum; told me, neutrally but without disapproval, that his brother had been a policeman at partition time and had killed lots of Muslims. He and others say about 60 Sikh families from Thoha Khalsa and a nearby village still live in Bhogal area - though numbers attending the annual service have declined because of deaths, and settlement out of Bhogal, mainly at Tilak Nagar. Introduced me to several elderly Sikhs from 'pindi district. Very friendly and welcoming. Met BIR BAHADUR SINGH, with his flowing white beard down to his midrift, wearing a black turban and dark grey suit, impressively attired (photos taken outside the gurdwara). When he recognised me he embraced me. About 100 + at the ceremony, mainly consisting of memories of the TK deaths — if anything, as much secular as religious. The gurdwara well appointed - probably more women than men. both sitting on the ground on facing sides of the large room (tho no women spoke). Most who attended elderly, though a few children, one girl aged five or six very attentively listening