CHANDIGARH — Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra, wife of martyred human rights activist Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra, has issued a public appeal to the Sikh Sangat, families of Sikh martyrs, human rights advocates, and various organizations to attend a Ardaas Samagam at Harike Pattan.
The gathering, organized by Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, at 6:00 PM on the banks of the Sutlej River. This location holds heavy historical significance, as it is the site where the bodies of innocent, murdered youths were reportedly disposed of in the river. Attendees will offer prayers for the spiritual peace of the victims and demand justice for their grieving families.
A Demand for Unwavering Accountability
In her issued statement, Bibi Khalra emphasized that the wounds of the past remain unhealed. She stated that the June 1984 military assault on Sri Darbar Sahib, the November 1984 Sikh massacres, and the subsequent era of unidentified bodies, torture, and alleged fake police encounters in Punjab still demand strict justice and accountability.
She strongly criticized successive political regimes for their failure to deliver justice:
- Congress: Held responsible for the initial massacres and severe human rights violations, with subsequent governments failing to bring relief to the victimized families.
- Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD): Accused of awarding prominent positions and privileges to controversial police officers during its tenure.
- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP): Criticized for allegedly shielding rather than prosecuting convicted police personnel, specifically naming DSP Jaspal Singh, Sub-Inspector Jasbir Singh, and Satnam Singh—the officers implicated in the murder of S. Jaswant Singh Khalra.
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Called out regarding recent international allegations of targeted transnational killings on foreign soil.
Three Core Demands Presented to Sri Akal Takht Sahib
Seeking concrete steps toward historical truth and restitution, Bibi Khalra has placed three primary demands before Acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Garhgaj:
- Formation of a People’s Commission: To conduct a thorough investigation and reveal the actual number of people who were disappeared, the unidentified bodies cremated, and individuals killed in alleged fake police encounters in Punjab during the 1980s and 1990s.
- Memorialization: To allocate a dedicated and respectful space within the Central Sikh Museum honoring the memory of the unidentified bodies brought to light by the tireless work of Sardar Jaswant Singh Khalra.
- Financial Restitution: To ensure that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) provides crucial financial assistance to the families of the victims.
A Call for True Tribute
Concluding her address, Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra reiterated that no political party or individual should operate above the law. She firmly stated that those responsible for the massacre of innocents, human rights abuses, and the denial of justice must be held accountable in the court of the people.
She appealed to the public and political leaders alike not to exploit the memory of the Third Ghallughara (Sikh Holocaust) for political gain. Instead, she urged a unified demand for systemic accountability, noting that holding the establishment answerable is the only true tribute to the unidentified victims and to the legacy of Sardar Jaswant Singh Khalra.
