CHANDIGARH, Punjab—While the Indian media has remained silent over Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa’s struggle, this was not always the case. In 2011, when Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa had observed an 18 day long hunger strike to fight corruption in India, he was given publicity by mainstream media. The Tribune India compared Bapu Surat Singh to Anna Hazare and declared his cause as noble.
“At the age of 78, Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa has also decided to go the Anna way to fight corruption and is observing fast unto death on the premises of the Mini Secretariat here. Like Anna Hazare, his fast entered its fifth day today and with the passage of time, his determination for the noble cause is getting stronger.” (The Tribune)
However now that Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa is in his 74th day of hunger strike, his struggle has largely been ignored by the media. The only difference in Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa’s hunger strike this time is that instead of focusing on Anna Hazare’s agenda, he is standing up for the rights of Sikh political prisoners who have been detained in various jails in India despite the completion of their sentences.
Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa is a human rights crusader who is struggling for a cause that is important to the entire Sikh Nation. Despite his old age, he has been abused and threatened, while his only son (a citizen of the United States) too has been detained by the Punjab Government.
Here is the complete text of 2011 news published by the Tribune News Service –
