SGPC holds annual commemoration for Jaswant Singh Khalra, plans memorial at Harike
Babushahi Bureau
Amritsar (Punjab), September 6, 2026: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) organised a commemorative event in memory of Shaheed Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra, a prominent human rights activist, at Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Gurbaksh Singh Ji in the Golden Temple complex on Sunday.
The event was organised under the patronage of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, with the participation of Sikh organisations and devotees.
Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Tek Singh, SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, Sri Harmandir Sahib Granthi Giani Rajdeep Singh, and Khalra’s sister Balbir Kaur, among other prominent personalities, attended the programme.
Following the bhog of Sri Akhand Path Sahib, Hazoori Ragi Bhai Satnam Singh performed Gurbani kirtan, while Bhai Prem Singh conducted the ardas. Giani Rajdeep Singh recited the sacred Hukamnama.
‘Khalra became the voice of families of those declared unclaimed’
Addressing the gathering, Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj said that during the period from 1982 to 1994, thousands of Sikh youths, women, elderly people and children were killed amid what he described as state repression in Punjab.
He alleged that the bodies of many victims were declared “unclaimed” before being cremated or disposed of in rivers. He said Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra took up the cause of these victims, worked extensively to collect details of the unidentified bodies and was subsequently killed while pursuing the documentation of the cases.
Gargajj said Khalra attained the status of a Gurmukh and martyr by dedicating his life to truth and justice. He said Khalra followed the teachings of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and neither lived in fear nor sought to intimidate others.
The Jathedar also announced that work would soon begin on establishing a memorial at the martyrdom site in Harike and documenting details of those who died during the 1982–1994 period. The initiative will be undertaken by the SGPC under the patronage of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
‘Khalra dedicated his life to human rights and justice’
SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami described Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra as a prominent Sikh personality who dedicated his life to the struggle for human rights, truth and justice.
Dhami said Khalra had fought for justice for young people who, according to the SGPC, were allegedly picked up from their homes, subjected to torture, killed and subsequently cremated after being declared unclaimed.
He also praised Khalra’s family for standing up against what he described as state repression and continuing the struggle initiated by him.
Dhami said the SGPC was working on the directions issued by the Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar regarding the establishment of a memorial at Harike. A sub-committee has already been constituted to identify a suitable site, he said, adding that construction work would begin after the land is secured.
During the programme, Balbir Kaur, sister of Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra, and Kawaljit Kaur, wife of Bhai Kuldeep Singh Bachhre, were honoured with siropas.
A number of SGPC office-bearers, members, officials and devotees attended the commemoration.