Inspirational Light - the Legacy of Jaswant Singh Khalra

2020 may be the year the world stood still but for both the human rights and the Sikh community, a heart-stopping moment occurred 25 years ago this week. The illegal abduction, disappearance (and eventual murder) of human rights activist Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra took place in Amritsar, India on the 6th September 1995. This week, Bhai Khalra's family, supported by the international community, have come together to mark the occasion through a series of events known as #Khalraweek. The BOSS team have also taken this opportunity to reflect on our relationship with the legacy of Khalra. 

The British Organisation of Sikh Students was established in the UK in 1992. Sikh students and recent graduates of the late '80s and early '90s were deeply affected by the anti-Sikh genocide that the world was witnessing in India. They felt compelled to rise and make a change where they could too. Stories of Shaheed Bhai Amrik Singh, (President of the All India Sikh Student Federation (the Punjab equivalent of BOSS) and countless other fearless young Sikhs from India trickled into homes, Gurdwaras and Universities in the UK and it was these narratives of bravery, activism and action that spurred the formation of a national body for Sikh student activism here in the UK. 

Around the same time, BOSS Sikhs were establishing Sikh societies and encouraging students to engage more with their faith, heritage and become aware of the atrocities in Punjab; an exceptional soul, just half a generation above us, Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra was diligently collecting vital evidence that would prove exceptionally important to us all. Work that Khalra paid for with his life. 

Spurred on by the abduction of two work colleagues, Jaswant Singh felt compelled to investigate. His tireless, dangerous and utterly fearless groundwork gained momentum and lead our lion of Punjab to uncover shocking data from three cremation grounds in Punjab. This data proved beyond doubt that the state had illegally killed and cremated thousands of Sikhs in what was state-sponsored genocide. Khalra estimated within ten years 25,000 Sikh men, women and children had been abducted, disappeared and killed in this manner. 

Determined to make his findings public, knowing full well his own life was on the line, Khalra travelled the world (including the UK) and spoke to the media at large. His goal of uncovering the truth and assisting the victim families of Punjab find justice was the noblest of actions and resulted in the now-famous "I challenge the darkness" speech that took place in Ontario, Canada in April 1995 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wGpWd9UUAQ)

““There is a fable that when the Sun was setting for the first time, as it was completing its journey, the light was decreasing and the signs of Darkness were appearing. It is said, lamentation was rife amongst the people that the Sun will set, Darkness will spread, no one will be able to see anything, and what will happen to us? Everybody was worried, but the Sunset. To show its strength, Darkness set its foot on the earth, but it is said – far away, in some hut, one little Lamp lifted his head. It proclaimed, “I challenge the Darkness. If nothing else, then at least around myself, I will not let it settle. Around myself, I will establish Light.” And it is said, watching that one Lamp, in other huts other Lamps arose. And the world was amazed that these Lamps stopped Darkness from expanding so that people could see. I believe, today when Darkness is trying to overwhelm Truth with full strength, then if nothing else, self­respecting Panjab, like a Lamp, is challenging this Darkness. And I pray to the Guru, who identifies with Truth to keep this light lit.””
— Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra's speech in Canada - April 1995

Just a few short months after, his chilling prediction came true and he was illegally abducted from the front of his home whilst he innocently washed his car. The defender of human rights was never to be seen again. 

Many of our members at BOSS the majority of students studying at university now were not born when Khalra disappeared. Yet the inspirational light of the work and legacy has had profound effects. The power of the truth in their words has been enough to see some of our volunteers become passionately involved in human rights work, in supporting victim families in Punjab and spreading the word of Khalra himself. 

The legacy of Khalra provided the very inspiring theme for BOSS Sikhi Camp in 2014 and was cited as an inspirational example of leadership at our 2018 National Sikh student Leadership conference. The UK summer documentary tour showing 'Punjab Disappeared' organised by the Punjab Documentation and Advocacy Project provided a more detailed glimpse into the world and legacy of Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra. We have every faith that work will continue as our future generations continue to be inspired by the work of Bhai Khalra and follow in their footsteps.

A further source of inspiration can be found in the Khalra family themselves. Bhai Jaswant Singh's wife - Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra and their children, Navkiran Kaur and Janmeet Singh have become beacons of light as they fight tirelessly for justice and truth. We feel humbled by the strength in adversity that they have shown and we pray to Guru Sahib that They continue to pour strength and determination into them. Follow @Khalramission and #KhalraWeek to witness and help with this journey.

As we commemorate 25 years of the disappearance (and death) of Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra it is apparent to us all that the work of Khalra is as relevant as ever. Still today, Sikhs in India are illegally abducted and detained in the hundreds. The darkness can sometimes feel overwhelming as we collectively push to expose the #FreeJaggiNow campaign to the media worldwide. As our Scottish brother, Jagtar Singh Johal sits in illegal detention in India for over 1000 days, it is the spirit, the steely-eyed determination and resolute voice of Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra that encourages us to continue to carry the beacon of light. 

The spirit of Sikhi is about resolutely remembering the constant source of light, inspiration and enlightenment that is our Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee. We thank Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra for providing a source of inspiration that reminds us to “pray to the Guru, who identifies with Truth to keep this light lit.”

TLDR: Jaswant Singh Khalra was a fearless human rights activist who was murdered by the Indian state for uncovering evidence about the horrors of the anti-Sikh genocide of the 1980's/90's. His vital work inspired thousands and continues. We urge you to knowledge up and support the work that shines a light on the fight for truth and justice. 

Further Information and Reading: 

Sikh personalities, Personal, OrganisationsBOSShuman rights, Sikhi, punjab, india, inspire1 Comment