Days after the film ‘Satluj’, based on the life and struggle of slain human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was banned from being released on the OTT platform, his wife, Paramjit Kaur Khalra, broke her silence on Monday and urged Akal Takht to set up a people’s committee to determine the actual number of people who disappeared, the number of unidentified bodies, and those killed in fake police encounters during the 1980s and 1990s. 1990s in Punjab
She said in a post on her X account, “The state of Punjab is preparing to gather on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Harik Patan (the site associated with unidentified bodies), to attend the Ardas prayer ceremony called by Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib.”
“I appeal to the people of Punjab, the entire Sikh Panth, and people who believe in human rights and justice around the world to unite in the search for truth,” she added.
Khalra, who also worked as a human rights activist under the banner of Mission Khalra after her husband was kidnapped and killed in police custody in 1995, according to the court ruling, also pointed out the episodes of Operation Bluestar and anti-Sikh violence in Delhi and other parts of the country.
“The military attack on Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in June 1984, the massacre of Sikhs in November 1984, the unidentified bodies, torture, and thousands of fake encounters with police in the years that followed continue to demand accountability and justice,” she said.
Apart from blaming Congress for these killings, it also emphasized the alleged negative role of other parties – Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), BJP and AAP.
“Governments led by the (Shiromani) Akali Dal have given VIP facilities, legal assistance, and high-ranking positions to police officers accused of wrongdoing. Officials like Sumedh Saini, Izhar Alam, Darbara Guru, (Paramraj Singh) Omranangal, Muhammad Mustafa, and others have been given publicly important positions, while families of victims have been pushed to the sidelines, harassed, and forced to face legal difficulties,” she wrote.
“The present Aam Aadmi Party government, which followed a similar path, instead of bringing the convicted police personnel before the law, helped them escape justice. This includes those convicted of murder of Sardar Jaswant Singh Khalra, Jaspal Singh, Sub-Inspector Jasbir Singh and Satnam Singh,” she added.
“The BJP government is also facing serious allegations of targeted killings on foreign soil, allegations supported by the CBI, according to this statement,” she said, speaking about the ruling party at the Centre.
“The entire Sikh Panth looks up to the Sri Akal Takht Sahib with the hope that he will provide courageous and impartial leadership in accordance with the principles laid down by the Sikh Gurus,” she said.
“We respectfully request Jathedar Sahib to set up a people’s committee to determine the actual number of people who disappeared, unidentified bodies and those killed in alleged fake encounters with police during the 1980s and 1990s in Punjab,” Khalra added.
It urged him to give a rightful place in the Central Sikh Museum to those unknown victims whose identities have been revealed, according to this statement, through the martyrdom and work of Jaswant Singh Khalra.
Khalra Jathedar appealed to direct the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to provide financial assistance to the affected families.
“No political party or individual should be above accountability or the law. Those who have killed innocents, denied justice, concealed the truth about the Sikh genocide, or supported human rights violations must be held accountable to the people. Their official state honors must be withdrawn, and they must face social boycott,” she added.
“The third Galugara (Holocaust) should not be used for political gain. Instead, the entire system should be called to account. This alone will be a true tribute to the unknown victims and to Sardar Jaswant Singh Khalra,” she added.
She unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Khuddur Sahib constituency, but secured 2,14,489 votes. From the same constituency, she campaigned for jailed radical Sikh leader Amritpal Singh in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the latter winning in a landslide.
Khalra is currently in the US with her son and daughter settled there.
After being removed from the OTT platform, the film ‘Satluj’, which exposes human rights violations, is being shown publicly across Punjab, especially in villages.
