This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.
It’s emotions Sikhs have felt time and time again. As the anniversary comes of a murdered, missing, or imprisoned Sikh brother or sister, commemoration of the Sikh genocide, or the continued persecution of Sikhs in India, we learn, grieve, struggle, strive to be resilient, and then repeat, each year.
The emotions hit you in waves. I remember when and where I found out about Jagtar Singh Johal’s arrest in India. I carried it with me that day, all day, and it became one of the many layers all Sikhs carry: the suffocation of oppression, the truth and reality of India and the nonexistence of basic human rights, and knowing its sole purpose is to ingrain fear and submission.
Advertisement
While an 84-year-old Sikh man, by the name of Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa, continues his hunger strike to free Sikh political prisoners in India, forcibly confined in a hospital, another Sikh, 30-year-old British citizen of Dumbarton, Scotland Jagtar Singh Johal, was abducted and arrested by the Indian authorities on 4 November, 2017.
Jagtar (nickname Jaggi) was in India for his wedding in mid-October 2017. His horrific abduction occurred while he was out with his wife and relative, when Indian police officers, dressed in civilian clothing, threw a sack over his head and forced him into a vehicle.
Advertisement
Jaggi’s whereabouts were undisclosed and it was only when he was produced in court on 5 November, 2017 that his arrest became public knowledge.
While Indian politicians and the Chief Minister of Panjab, Captain Amarinder, have haphazardly declared Jaggi a convicted criminal, there has been no clear due process of law, including a charge, arrest, trial, and conviction.
Soon after, it was revealed that not only was Jaggi abducted and imprisoned, he was also being tortured.
Advertisement
The more he is kept away from the public, erratically accused of unsolved high-profile crimes, and denied visitation by counsel, the torture and gross mistreatment will continue - which is why his immediate release is of the utmost urgency.
It is believed that Jaggi was simply targeted for raising a voice of awareness. As Sikhs endure the remembrance of the Sikh genocide and human rights violations in India, he, like thousands of Sikhs around the world, driven by the pain, are yearning to bring these atrocities to light.
A massive social media campaign to raise awareness about Jaggi’s detention and torture in police custody transpired within days of his arrest, through the hashtag #FreeJaggiNow.
Advertisement
Everyone is encouraged to share his story and keep his arrest prominently in the news.
For those living in the U.K., please contact your local MP and make sure he or she is aware of Jaggi’s detainment. A letter template that can be used to contact your MP can be found here: MP Letter for Jagtar Singh Johal
For everyone living outside the U.K., please look over the following guideline and see what you can do to help raise awareness:
Advertisement
Jaggi’s case has received support from politicians, activists, celebrities, and artists worldwide.
It’s been reported that Prime Minister Teresa May is aware of his detainment and torture and will continue to monitor the situation.
Anyone can help raise awareness for Jaggi’s case via social media. Please follow and share:
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.