Search the Community

"How far would you go to stand up for human rights? In India, on the 16th January 2015 an 83yr old lifelong political activist went on hunger strike to force the Indian Government to free several political prisoners. He has now been hungry for over 500 days... Some continue to be detained long beyond completion of their sentence. Some have been tortured and falsely imprisoned. Others are arrested and just seem to disappear... This is the story of Surat Singh Khalsa, and his Hunger for Humanity." Sangat Ji, ik benti, In January 2016, UK based Documentary and Film Production Company GraySkull Media, managed to get an exclusive and secret interview with Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa. Efforts are currently underway to raise funds for the production of a documentary. Once the film is complete, if there are any profits made whatsoever from any sale of the film to a distributor or sponsor, the production team at GraySkull Media pledges 100% of the profits after production costs are paid, to the bereaved families of the 1984 Sikh Genocide and two other Human Rights charities, which will be selected by the family of Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa. Please share the link below and donate so we can show the world the activism and struggle of Bapu Surat Singh. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/hunger-for-humanity-bapu-surat-singh-khalsa-india#/ Dhanvaad

Does anyone know what had happened with Surat Singh Khalsa morcha and hunger strike to free Singh's that have completed their jail terms ? I haven't heard anything on Sikh media for a while on this issue it seems to have gone silent. Has the morcha ended ?

USA Citizens Over 13: Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa Ji is onto his 207th day (as of 8/9/15) of his hunger strike. He doesn't eat and only drinks water. This petition to the White House will help to release Sikh political prisinors. The thing is, it'll take 100,000 signatures to get recognition, and we need that by late September. We only have about 2000 now. Sign this petition and share it with your friends (sikh and non-sikh) and family and make sure the world hears us! In the meantime, protest to the Indian government should still be done. Here is the link to the petition: https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/recognize-hunger-striking-us-resident-surat-singh-khalsa-his-peaceful-struggle-human-rights

Since January 16, 2015, Surat Singh Khalsa, an 83-year-old activist, has been on a fast-unto-death seeking release of Sikh political prisoners who have completed their full jail terms and are legitimately due for release. What he got in return is a forced confinement at a hospital in Ludhiana where he is being force-fed and subjected to dubious medical procedures – a conduct that is being called inhuman by many. What is Surat Singh’s demand? Singh has claimed that there are at least 43 Sikh political prisoners across several prisons in the country who have completed their full jail terms, but are still being held in their old age. He demands their release. Why are Singh’s demands being ignored? Sumedh Singh Saini, the Director General of Police, Punjab, said in a press conference that a list discussed by Surat Singh contained 82 names, some of whom have been arrested as recently as 2014, and that several were undertrials. The Supreme Court had stayed the release of life convicts across the country with an order in July 2014, and in some cases, the prisoners were jailed in other states. Are Singh’s demands valid? Jaspal Singh Manjhpur, the lawyer aiding Surat Singh, said that the list discussed by the DGP contained 200 names, of which an estimated 70 to 75 prisoners have indeed served over 15 to 20 years of their jail term. Arjun Sheoran, a lawyer associated with People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), said that the Punjab government’s claim that the state was unable to act because of a Supreme Court stay on release of life prisoners in 2014 was inaccurate and that an interim application could be filed. Inhuman treatment of Surat Singh After the first three weeks of his fast getting totally ignored by the govt., over a hundred policemen forcefully shifted Surat Singh from his house to a civil hospital on February 8, where he was placed under preventive arrest. Allegedly, in order to force-feed him, food pipes have been stitched on the activist’s forehead in an unhygienic and unscientific manner, which resulted in an infection. The country’s largest civil rights organizations, PUCL said that if the allegations are true, they amount to inflicting torture and inhuman, cruel, degrading and illegal treatment, and that the state is denying Surat Singh his right to indulge in a non-violent, democratic act of protesting. Besides, Surat Singh’s son, Ravinderjit Singh, a U.S. citizen, who visited India to look after his father, was held under Indian police custody for two months under charges of being “likely to commit a breach of the peace”. After his release on April 27, Ravinder says he was tortured multiple times and that his life was in danger. He has alleged that the police blackmailed him to manipulate Surat into stopping his protest. Follow @logicalindians Source : logical Indians

http://singhstation.net/2015/02/urgent-appeal-help-end-vikram-singh-dhanaulas-hunger-strike/ Melbourne – In view of the critical condition of Vikram Singh Dhanaula and the indifference of Indian government, SinghStaion.Net on behalf of Australian Sikh Sangat appeals to Vikram Singh Dhanaula to END his hunger strike. According to latest reports, Vikram Singh Dhanaula is in CRITICAL condition after 64 days of “Hunger Strike till Death.” His life is in imminent danger with every passing moment. Vikram’s Hunger Strike is to seek justice for the November 1984 Sikh genocide victims. On behalf of the Australian Sikh Community, we make the following appeal to: Various Sikh organizations & SIkh Activists to help End Vikram Dhanaula’s Hunger Strike. Press & Media to immediately visit the “Hunger Strike Camp” in Delhi and highlight the situation in the media. The media attention may help buy time. United Nations and Human Rights Organizations to remind the Indian Government of its obligations and the various Human Rights Charters that it is signatory to. We also demand that the authorities must provide immediate medical assistance to him and stop insulting the basic human right, the dignity of life. SinghStation.Net has received a number of messages from Sikh Sangat in Australia who are wanting to see him back in good health with his family and join the fight against justice by some other means.

LUDHIANA: Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa, who has been sitting on hunger strike for last 24 days seeking release of Sikh prisoners at his house in Hassanpur village in Ludhiana, was finally forcibly detained by police and is presently admitted at the civil hospital. The decision for the action was taken in a meeting of Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal and senior Superintendent of police (SSP) Ravcharan Singh Brar with Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa and the old man was finally taken to the civil hospital for necessary treatment. However Bapu Surat Singh claimed that he had been under house arrest and many Sikh organization leaders have offered their support to him. His family members resented police action and Bapu ji’s son Harwinder Singh said they will continue with their struggle and his father would continue the hunger strike till the release of Sikh prisoners. According to latest reports so far, Bapu ji has not allowed the medical team to force-feed them or put him on a drip. TSYFB and other Prominent Sikh Youth groups today announced to jointly support Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa, who is on hunger strike since January 15 for permanent release of Sikh political prisoners languishing in various jails of India. All Sikh Youth Groups held a huge meeting in Amritsar. In a joint statement, Sikh Youth Federation Bhindranwala’s president Bhai Balwant Singh Gopala, Sikh Youth Front general secretary Bhai Papalpreet Singh, Gurmat Parchar Sewa Lehar leader Bhai Surinder Singh Thikriwala, Youth Federation For Justice leader Bhai Gurpreet Singh Guri and Shan-e-Khalsa Gatka Dal Sangrur representative Kulwant Singh Talwar leaders said that release of the Sikh detainees is rather a right of Sikh nation, not a demand. All Sikh organizations have unanimously appointed Bhai Gurdeep Singh from Bathinda as the coordinator for chalking out any further programs in support of Bapu Surat Singh’s protest for freedom. Interestingly Ludhiana police has also imposed Section 144 across Bapu Surat Singh’s village Hassanpur. http://singhstation.net/2015/02/bapu-surat-singh-detained-ludhiana-police-24-days-hunger-strike/

CHANDIGARH, India (November 4, 2014)—The hunger strike of Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa for the release of imprisoned Sikhs has been halted in uncertainty. Due to the non-availability of space and alert of Intelligence Agencies, Bhai Gurbaksh Singh is not succeeding in starting his hunger strike. It is worth mentioning that Bhai Khalsa announced few days ago that if the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib will not fulfil his promise before Bandi Chhor Diwas, then he will again sit a hunger strike. He planned to start his hunger strike in Subhan of Jalandhar, but the police didn’t allow him. While expressing disappointment, he said that nobody is coming forward to provide space for his hunger strike. http://www.sikh24.com/2014/11/04/hunger-strike-of-bhai-gurbaksh-singh-stopped-due-to-non-availability-of-space/#.VFnM4fnF9K0

Breaking News: Reports received that Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa has been arrested. ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਬਖਸ਼ ਸਿੰਘ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਨੂੰ ਪੁਲਿਸ ਜ਼ਬਰੀ ਚੁੱਕ ਲੈ ਗਈl http://www.sikhchannel.tv/watchus/

WJKK WJKF Does anyone know if Bhai Damandeep Singh is on hunger strike and still on the Morcha at Amb Sahib? I heard he was supposed to be but I haven't heard any news lately on him.

Ajitgarh, Punjab (November 30, 2013): Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa’s hunger strike has entered 17th days. He is observing a fast unto death since November 14, 2013 at Gurdwara Amb Sahib, Ajitgarh (Mohali) to seek release of five Sikhs who are not being released by the Indian state/ (Centre/State governments) despite serving the terms of their sentences. Gurbaksh Singh has once again showed his firmness that he would not break his fast until the concerned Sikhs are released from Indian jails. Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa While talking to the Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa accused Haryana police and state C.I.D. for harassing his family members at his village Thaskali near Markanda (Haryana). He said that police was harassing his wife and son. “They are demanding my photos, if they want it, they can come here at Gurdwara Amb Sahib and take my photos” he said. It may be recalled that Bhai Gurbaksh Singh is seeking release of Bhai Gurmit Singh, Shamsher Singh, Lakhwinder Singh (who are confined in Burrail Jail, Chandigarh since 1995), Bhai Lal Singh (who was arrested in 1992 by Gujrat police and is currently confined in Maximum security jail Nabha) and Bhai Gurdip Singh (who is confined in Gurbarg Jail of Karnataka for last 23 years). These persons have serve their terms of sentence but were not being released by respective state governments. http://www.sikhsiyasat.net/2013/11/30/gurbaksh-singhs-fast-unto-death-enters-17th-day-haryana-police-starts-harassing-family-members/