With a deep sense of being cheated by the political leadership and the judiciary, Baldev Singh, father of Ravinder Singh Littran -one of the four Sikh youth killed extrajudicially for protesting against sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib in 1986, in what has come to known as Saka Nakodar, writes a poignant and powerful Open Letter to Chief Minister of Punjab -Bhagwant Singh Mann, who had promised justice to the four families during his election campaign. Promises were made to the family by the former CM Punjab Capt. Amarinder Singh and former MP Santokh Singh Choudhary. The missive is a clarion call for justice, a stark reminder of the unresolved and painful saga.
Through this emotional and determined plea, Baldev Singh not only recounts the heartbreaking details of this gross human rights violation but also challenges the echelons of power to uphold truth and justice. Expressing agony and hope, Baldev Singh and Baldip Kaur -the parents of Ravinder Singh Littran wrote to the President of India on March 11, 2020, which was forwarded to the Punjab government on November 23, 2020. Today they ask, “How long should we wait or will we die without justice for our son?” Sadly, nobody has any answers.
Baldev Singh is not hopeful for justice yet determined to continue the fight. The World Sikh News shares the full letter with the hope that it will resonate with you and amplify the call for justice that has been denied for far too long. Like the father, we too have little expectation of the Punjab government moving an inch further in this direction. WSN also shares various promises and oddities in the case for a comprehensive understanding of the sinister state mechanism to push justice out of the domain of the victim families and the Sikh community at large.

Dear Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Singh Mann Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa! Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!!  I write to you with a heavy heart and a burdened soul, as we mark the 75th International Human Rights Day. While the world takes stock of the human rights situation worldwide, our world -our family sits back to reflect upon the last four decades of struggle to get justice for our son and three of his associates killed extrajudicially.

While the world’s super powerful countries, international media, and the Sikh Diaspora discuss transnational killings, it is imperative to look back to how these extrajudicial killings started and how impunity to the uniformed killers has led India to the present situation where it has to face ignominy for its recourse to questionable methods to silence Sikhs who are by nature dissenters and who stand for Sarbat da Bhala and Justice for All.

It is with deep anguish and disappointment that I bring to your attention the lingering shadow of injustice that has marred our state for far too long. The Saka Nakodar incident of 1986, a dark blot on the history of Punjab, remains unresolved and unaddressed even after 38 long years. On the fateful day of February 4, 1986, four innocent Sikh youths – Ravinder Singh, Harminder Singh, Baldhir Singh, and Jhilman Singh – were brutally killed by the Punjab Police and Indian Security Forces.

On February 4, 1986, Ravinder Singh, Harminder Singh, Baldhir Singh, and Jhilman Singh – were brutally killed by the Punjab Police and Indian Security Forces, while they were peacefully protesting against desecration of Guru Granth Sahib in a march to Gurdwara Guru
Arjan Sahib, Nakodar.

They were part of a peaceful march to the Gurdwara Guru Arjan Sahib Nakodar, intending to collect the desecrated Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Their unjust demise has left an indelible scar on the conscience of our state, and yet, the wheels of justice have failed to turn for them.

I implore you, as the Chief Minister of Punjab, to recognize the gravity of this human rights violation. Time is slipping away from us, as only one of the bereaved parents of these four students is still alive, clinging to the hope of seeing justice in their lifetime. Their heart-wrenching plight demands not just our empathy but immediate and decisive action.

The recent developments in the Punjab & Haryana High Court and the subsequent actions of the state machinery have only added to the agony. The misplaced Part 2 of Justice Gurnam Singh Commission’s Judicial Inquiry Report and the unresponsive attitude of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by SSP Jalandhar are glaring examples of the apathy and neglect this case has suffered

TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE: “Learned State counsel on instructions from Sukhpal Singh, DSP, Sub Division Nakodar, District Jalandhar (Rural), Inspector Satpal Singh Sidhu, SHO, Police Station City Nakodar submits that part of inquiry report was misplaced. He further submits that acting upon the representation made by the petitioner, SIT has been constituted. He further submits that four FIRs relating to the incident were registered.” NOTABLY, THE JUDGE ACCEPTS THE SUBMISSION OF THE STATE
VERBATIM AND PASSES THE ORDER.

Judge Avneesh Jhingan, Punjab and Haryana High Court

In light of these disturbing revelations and the prolonged delay in delivering justice, I urge you to take suo moto cognizance of this matter. We seek the immediate announcement of a high-level independent enquiry into this incident. This enquiry must be conducted with the utmost integrity, transparency, and swiftness, to unravel the truth and bring the perpetrators to book.

WHERE IS THE ENQUIRY REPORT? As per directions of the High Court, the SSP Jalandhar Rural constituted the Special Investigation Team comprising SP Investigation Jalandhar Rural, SP Police Station Jalandhar Rural, and SHO Police Station, Jalandhar Rural to file a report within one month of his order dated 1 June 2023.

Your government, which came to power with the promise of change and righteousness, now stands at a critical juncture. The eyes of the world, the people of Punjab, and the souls of those unjustly taken from us are watching. Let this moment be the turning point where justice prevails, where the long-standing wounds of the past begin to heal, and where the rule of law upholds the sanctity of human life and dignity.

Our resolve is unshakeable, and our commitment to justice is unwavering, as we stand against the shadows of injustice that have loomed over us for far too long.

Baldev Singh, father of Ravinder Singh Littran

In the unfortunate event that the state and the Indian judiciary continue to falter in their duty to deliver justice in this egregious violation of human rights, we are prepared to escalate our pursuit of justice to the international stage. We will not hesitate to seek the intervention of United Nations forums and other global human rights organizations. This step will ensure that the voices of the victims and their families are heard and that accountability is enforced on an international scale.

Our resolve is unshakeable, and our commitment to justice is unwavering, as we stand against the shadows of injustice that have loomed over us for far too long. We await your prompt and just action in this matter. Let your government also take some noble steps to celebrate 75th Human Rights Day and not fail those who still look up with hope for justice.

With earnest appeal,

Baldev Singh
father of Ravinder Singh Litran
VPO Littran, Jalandhar, Punjab