#SikhBlood 2016:
Blood Donation Event to Raise Awareness for Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa
Sikhs and human rights advocates worldwide will donate blood the week of 31 October, 2016 to help
raise awareness for the oldest hunger-striker Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa
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From 31st October to 6th November, 2016, Sikhs worldwide will donate blood in a charitable effort inspired by human rights campaigner Surat Singh Khalsa. Throughout the week, Sikhs will donate blood at donation centers around the world. Last year, Sikhs and human rights advocates also donated blood and posted pictures of support on social media. The event will fall during Sikh Genocide Week, where Sikhs from across the world remember those who died during the 1984 Delhi massacre.
Affectionately called Bapu ji (translating as father), 83-year-old American resident and Indian native Surat Singh Khalsa has been on a hunger strike for over 625 days in Punjab to raise awareness about Sikh political prisoners. The majority of these prisoners have served their sentences and continue to languish in jail. Due to Bapu ji's hunger strike, several prisoners have been permanently released and others have received parole for the first time in decades.
The Sangharsh Jaari Hai Team, a network of dedicated volunteers worldwide, stated "We remain in awe of Bapu ji as he continues his gallant struggle for human rights in India. Despite continued harassment by the police and government officials, and being forcefully removed from his home and force-fed against his will, he vows to continue his hunger strike until all the prisoners are rightfully released.
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| (Clockwise from top Left) Dilawer Singh donating blood in Bristol, UK during #SikhBlood 2015 event, Malkit Singh showing his support for #SikhBlood 2015 event in Birmingham, UK, Surinder Kaur donating blood in Durham, North Carolina USA during #SikhBlood 2015 event | |
As Bapu ji heroically fights on, the Sikh community and social activists will steadfastly stand by his side and continue to raise awareness for his cause. Everyone is encouraged to help save lives and create awareness by donating blood or posting a picture of themselves on social media with a sign of support, using the hashtag #SikhBlood."
The week long campaign will see Sikhs giving their blood for justice, something ingrained within Sikhs. By bringing awareness to the situation, Sikhs hope to get Indian authorities to look into the cases of the remaining political prisoners.
Many Sikhs regard Surat Singh's hunger strike as a service to humanity, a core principle of Sikhism. This is echoed in the campaign, which hopes to increase blood donations from Asian blood donors who are more likely to have a rare blood group.
Website: http://www.freesikhprisoners.com
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bapusuratsingh
Twitter: @bapusuratsingh
Instagram: sangharsh_jaari_hai
Contact information:
The Sangharsh Jaari Hai Team
[email protected]