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| Raj Tattal’s sketch of Surat Singh Khalsa is among the exhibits at the London exhibition. Tribune photo |
Chandigarh, Aug 2, 2016: Surat Singh Khalsa’s agitation might have been pushed to the fringes in poll-bound Punjab, but it is striking a chord among NRI Sikhs. An exhibition dedicated to the fasting activist began in London today, featuring the works of over 40 artists and poets from the UK, US, Canada, Russia and India.
The 83-year-old US national, now protesting at home in his native village Hassanpur in Ludhiana district, has been seeking the release of Sikh political prisoners languishing in India’s jails even after the completion of their terms. His ‘fast-unto-death’ completed 550 days on July 18, a couple of days after he was discharged from hospital.
As per a statement by the organisers of the Art4Justice show, “Bapu Surat Singh left the comforts of his life in the US to peacefully protest in India. He has been periodically detained by the police and force-fed...From the healthy figure at the start of the hunger strike to the now hollow, bony frame, the exhibition traces his journey for justice.”
Birmingham’s Taran Singh, who has created Khalsa’s 3D printed sculpture, said, “This is a tribute to his warrior spirit.”
The exhibition is on at Menier Gallery till August 6. A similar show was organised at Gurdwara Sahib, Fremont, California (US), in May.
Talking to The Tribune on the phone, Khalsa said, “Of the original list of 80-odd prisoners, 26 are still behind bars. Despite my failing health, I will continue my struggle for their sake.” He appealed to people in India and abroad not to make donations to any organisation or individual for his human rights campaign, apparently to counter the allegations that his stir is being exploited for financial gains.
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