The Valiant: Jaswant Singh Khalra

by Gurmeet Kaur

India, 1995 - The government abducted, tortured, and murdered iconic human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. His crime - uncovering thousands of enforced disappearances, custodial killings, and illegal cremations of Sikhs by the Punjab Police. Gurmeet Kaur, author of the Fascinating Folktales of Punjab, takes her young readers on an interesting and inspiring journey through the life and times of Jaswant Singh while painting in the backdrop - the recent history of Punjab that every child must know.

Genres: History

217 pages, Hardcover

Published October 24, 2020

About the author

Gurmeet Kaur – a mother of two, resides in Atlanta, USA and Oakville, Canada. She worked as an Engineer & Software Architect in the US for 25 years before she decided to dedicate herself to the cause of preserving Punjabi language for children; as she believes that mother language and cultural heritage are children’s inalienable rights.

In the last eight years her eleven books have inspired thousands of children all over the world to connect to their mother language and heritage. She runs a non-profit organization which is now providing dual language books to underprivileged children in Punjab to restore the lost dignity and pride in their language.

In 2018, She launched the first ever children’s book for the children of Punjab on both sides of the barbed-wire-fence — the border between India and Pakistan, in both Punjabi language scripts (Gurmukhi & Shahmukhi) and English translations.

Besides her children’s literacy project in their mother language Gurmeet Kaur is also the campaign organizer for preserving the heritage at Kartarpur Sahib – resting abode of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith.

Book Sites:
www.folktalesofpunjab.com
www.pippal.org

Reviews

[Simranjit Bhullar]

"Certain images had to be burned into the psyche" Beautifully illustrated book is an honest account of the most horrid period of Punjab through the life story of truly inspiring Sardar Jaswnat Singh Khalra. Gurmeet Kaur has brought forth the story of Punjab 1947 to 1997 most vividly and astoundingly. The book is truly inspiring as our hero Jaswant Singh Khalra. A moving journey of Punjab from partition to trifurcation, operation blue-star and a long decade of disappearances, the book is a beacon in the dark history of Punjab. Through beautiful illustrations author successfully brings forth the life of S.Khalra.

[Manbir Singh]

A must read for everyone in particular Canadians. I did not know that Canada along with Amnesty international and other human rights groups became aware of the genocide taking place in India against the Sikhs due to the work of Jaswant Singh Khalra. In 1995, after 15 years of gross human rights violations in India, India was finally exposed on an international level, forcing them to stop killing innocent people on such a large scale. Truly heart breaking to read India targeting and killing innocent children, the elderly, young men, mothers, ex-army official just because they were Sikh.

[Mannat]

Honestly, I didn't know much about this part of history, and this book totally opened my eyes. The book really made me think about justice and what it means to stand up for what's right. It's not just a history lesson, it's a reminder that one person can actually make a huge difference. Especially if you're Punjabi, this story is part of our history, and it's something we all need to know.

[Mark]

The Valiant Jaswant Singh Khalra exposes the ways in which racial injustice is by state sponsored violence against communities. Thousands of enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and secret cremations of Sikh males in Punjab between the 1980s and 1990s were discovered by Khalra's investigation. The government's actions showed a determined attempt to suppress political dissent. The book highlights how unchecked state power institutionalized racial injustice and made entire communities by bringing these crimes to light.
Despite having its roots in Punjab's political environment, Khalra's story has universal resonance because the struggle against racial injustice has no geographical bounds. His work reflects underprivileged populations facing structural oppression in different nations. According to The Valiant Jaswant Singh Khalra, "Khalra's fight was not only for his people but for humanity itself, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" (Gurmeet Kaur, Page 74). This quote further proves that Jaswant Khalra fought for universal equality, not just for his own people. His story reveals that there is a global issue for racial injustice and the only answer to it is activism and opposition.
Activists today look up to Jaswant Singh Khalra for his bravery and legacy for standing up against racial injustice. Upcoming generations have a leverage on solving these types of issues by using Khalra's story as an example. Although he faced many difficulties and challenges throughout his fight, he was still ambitious and able to fight for what he wanted. Jaswant Singh Khalra’s legacy will continue to inspire and amaze many that go through difficulty.
Jaswant Singh Khalra faced many difficulties such as racism and marginalization against him and his people. Despite the backlash he faced, Khalra vowed to fight for the freedom that many Sikhs could only dream of. His book highlights the terrible effects of structural oppression on weak populations. The entire story is a reminder that the human battle for rights requires bravery and ambition to be successful. The Valiant pays tribute to Khalra's legacy, and encourages readers to confront injustice wherever it occurs making it a motivational book to read.

[Kanwarpal Singh]

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Review : This is the family member account of punjab legend and true hero of human rights Jaswant singh Khalra. From his family background of people who take part in independence struggle till his generation people have courage to stand against the oppression and torture of government towards the minorities.

From his day of college and Emergency in the country two wars between India pakistan, Operation Blue star, assassination of Indira Gandhi, sikh genocide, Black thunder 1 , Black thunder 2 in Amritsar and role of K.P.S.Gill and his selected officer, kharku lehar and deaths and fake encounters of innocent Punjabi sikhs youth for medals and promotion and torture then to death but in between all this came a soorma which change the whole scenario.

A soldier with valiant, courage , power of truth, risilience, stand against powerful and power hungry people like former CM Beant singh, police director general K.P.S. Gill , his cronies and puppets and solve the mystery of 25000 youth killed and their Unclaimed bodies were disposed of without traditional ceremonies. He stand against and threat to his life became truth and he was killed like his previous acquaintance but his thoughts and life is an inspiration for many to stand against truth but nothing happened. His wife is doing the work he left behind and she is on way to fulfill her husband dreams of peaceful Punjab

[Baldeep Singh]

Finished right away. I am very new to reading books, somehow whatever I tried to read I ended up giving up. This book shifted my mindset so much that I now planning to plan my next read as soon as possible. Thanks to the author Gurmeet di. I found this book very resourceful and knowledgeable in terms of data count and the minute details of the events that unfolded. Beautifully presented in way of a book. Moreover, the pictorial representations kept me so engaged that I felt like I lived the time. Would highly recommend it. :)

[Simranjit Singh]

A must read to understand the complexed history of Punjan. Beautifully illustrated book connects the reader with the most darkest period of Punjab. Through iconic figure of Jaswant Singh Khalra author meticulously builta beautiful narrative from 1947 to 1995.