Reminiscing fond memories of meetings with Justice Rajinder Sachar, WSN editor Jagmohan Singh pays tribute to Justice Rajinder Sachar who passed away living a full life of truth and commitment.

Without doubt, though he will be remembered more for his exhaustive Report on the Status of Muslims submitted in 2006, his affinity and friendship with the Sikhs and his boldness to stand-up to the government of the day in the eighties of the last century will be a glorious chapter in the history of those times.

1984 marked a watershed in the relationship between India and Punjab. Visiting Delhi from the Punjab was instilled with fear. The police gave strange looks to every Sikh -young or old. The political parties, mainly the ruling one threw up one poisonous statement after another tarnishing the Sikhs in general and the Sikhs of Punjab in particular.

“I have had the opportunity to attend meetings and exchange notes with him on the situation in Punjab. He always felt home talking in Punjabi whenever he would interact with anyone from Punjab.”

A score of individuals in Delhi, who were otherwise unknown to Sikhs took upon themselves to turn the tide around. One of the key person amongst the gallery of such brave stalwarts -men and women, who stood up to the government of the day was none other than Justice Rajinder Sachar, retired Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. After his retirement as a judge in December 1985, his civil rights activism became his life’s core.

He was a civil rights activist at heart and remained one till the very end.  Though closely associated with the main civil rights group of those times -The People’s Union for Civil Liberties -PUCL, he was amenable to one and all.

Many of the younger generations in Punjab and the Sikh Diaspora would like to know that he was the son of Bhim Sen Sachar -two-time Chief Minister of undivided Punjab. He was one of the architects of the Citizens Justice Committee Report on Punjab with Justice Sikri and Justice Tarkunde. He was part of the powerful Punjabi lobby in Delhi.

I have had the opportunity to attend meetings and exchange notes with him on the situation in Punjab. He always felt home talking in Punjabi whenever he would interact with anyone from Punjab. One would never get overawed that one was in conversation with a former judge. He was jovial and amiable putting an arm around with loving cordiality.

“He statistically rebutted the right-wing approach of Muslim appeasement in India in his 404 page Report on the Social, Economic and Educational Status of the Muslim Community in India.”

He has penned many a report on human rights violations in Kashmir. Though one would disagree about his political views on self-determination in Kashmir and Punjab, nobody could question his steadfastness for an inclusive and equal society. Despite tremendous pressure, he was a determined advocate for abolition of capital punishment.

He statistically rebutted the right-wing approach of Muslim appeasement in India in his 404 page Report on the Social, Economic and Educational Status of the Muslim Community in India. His call to set up an Equal Opportunity Commission is still to be implemented.

One of the latest campaigns being pursued by PUCL, of which Justice Rajinder Sachar too was a votary of abolition of “sedition” proceedings from the Indian Penal Code. One cannot forget how he strongly  opposed and campaigned against TADA -Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act and POTA -Prevention of Terrorist Activities Act.

 If you like our stories, do follow WSN on Facebook.

Very few of his genre and generation are left. Many have lost credibility and new ones are hard to come by. May his soul rest in peace and may he enjoy his stay at the lotus feet of God.