Sikh activist, advocate of Bandi Singhs Surat Singh Khalsa passes away at 91

PTC News Desk: A sikh activist and staunch advocate of release of Bandi Singhs Babu Surat Singh Khalsa passed away on Wednesday at the age of 91. He breathed his last at his residence in the United States.

Who was Bapu Surat Singh?

Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa was civil rights Sikh activist and a staunch advocate of release of Bandi Singhs, political prisoners who are incarcerated beyond completion of their jail term. He sat on hunger strike for eight years advocating release of Bandi Singhs which is considered as longest in the history of Punjab. 

Bapu Surat Singh started his struggle in January 2015 and ended his fast eight years after in January 2023. He started his hunger strike when he was 82 years old. After his health started deteriorating, he was admitted to Ludhiana's DMCH where he was put on intravenous fluids. He even refused to consume water when he eas forcefully shifted to Hospital from his residence.  

Fasting has been an age old, non- violent way of fighting against injustice. Be it Mahatma Gandhi, who used it as a weapon against British Government, or social activist Anna Hazare, who led the famous anti-corruption movement in support of Jan Lokpal Bill.

Bapu Surat Singh's relentless fight for a social cause has left an indelible mark on nation's history and it will continue to inspire the generations to come and uphold the battle for human rights.