Surat Singh Khalsa

Surat Singh Khalsa (7 March 1933 – 14 January 2025), also known as Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa, was a civil rights and political activist from the Indian state of Punjab. Surat Singh Khalsa was involved with various political struggles related to Sikhs in Punjab, however, he was in the mid-2010s in the limelight for a hunger strike as a form of peaceful protest against illegal and prolonged detention of political prisoners.

Hunger strike On 16 January 2015, Khalsa began a hunger strike. He refused food and water to seek the release of Sikh political prisoners who have completed their court sentences. He also called for the unconditional release of prisoners of all religions who have completed their terms.

On 11 February 2015, Surat Singh Khalsa wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi explaining the motive of his hunger strike. This law has already lapsed. It has been deemed as controversial by human rights organizations, as well as the United Nations.

On 5 December 2015, a viral video began circulating showing a man purported to be Khalsa eating in a hospital setting. Khalsa rejected this report, claiming it was ploy to distract from his strike, and gave up drinking water in further protest. However, during an interview given to the Indian Express, his son accepted that he did consume that food, although due to the drugs the doctors had given him. At time of his arrest, Surat Singh Khalsa was peacefully protesting for release of Sikh political prisoners who have completed their terms. His son, Ravinder Jeet was merely accompanying his father at a hospital in Ludhiana (Punjab, India) when they were both arrested. In addition, Surinder Singh of Talking Punjab and others were also detained for brief periods. After intervention of the President of India and alleged pressure by various US Congressmen, Surat Singh Khalsa and Ravinder Jeet Singh were released.

Before his formal detention, Surat Singh Khalsa was picked up from his residence in Hassanpur on 8 February 2015, where he had commenced his hunger strike. His arrest was informal, without any charges. He was taken to the Civil Hospital in Ludhiana. Until 26 February 2015, family members and supporters continued to visit him, however later the police turned the informal detention to a virtual arrest, turning the hospital into a police station. During the Dharam Yudh Morcha (a political movement launched by the Sikhs for equal rights) of 1980's, he served as an adviser.

He resigned his post as government teacher on 5 June 1984 in the aftermath of Operation Bluestar in June 1984. Continuing with his advocacy for human rights, he served as the secretary of the United Akali Dal (UAD), where he remained active until late 1987. During a protest rally at Punjab Legislative Assembly in February 1986, his leg was allegedly hit by a bullet. He continued to remain politically active, which resulted in him being detained in various jails during the 1980s.

Death Khalsa died on 14 January 2025, at the age of 91.