The demise of veteran human rights champion Justice Ajit Singh Bains touched the lives of many nationalist movements who in their gratefulness have paid humble tributes to him at his recent passing away. The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, describing him as “the indefatigable champion of human rights,” condoled his death at their recent meeting. Tamil activists called him a tireless human rights champion, the like of which will be dearly missed by Tamils.

JUSTICE AJIT SINGH BAINS was not only a legendary human rights defender but through and through a champion of human rights who lived and acted on his principle of maintaining that he was against terrorists, in and out of uniform,” said the Secretary-General of NPMHR -Neingulo Krome.

The statement of the oldest and well-respected human rights body in Nagaland -the NPMHR, read, “Human Rights Defenders are people who are making the world a better and fairer place by promoting and protecting human rights”, the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders says. But in reality, Human Rights Defenders are the most harassed and often persecuted for protecting the lives and dignity of fellow human beings and for promoting human rights of innocent people, throughout the world.”

“We fondly remember the words of solidarity of Justice Bains for the Naga identity struggle.”

Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights

Speaking to the World Sikh News, Krome said, “We fondly and proudly remember that, in the late nineties, at the invitation of the NPMHR, in solidarity with the cause of Naga rights, Justice Bains participated in our protest demonstration at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. His powerful words continue to be an inspiration to the Naga movement.” 

NPMHR recalled the significant contribution of Justice Bains, who as the head of the Justice Bains Committee in 1985, recorded the illegal detention of thousands of Sikh youth in Punjab and though there was no official action against the perpetrators, all 6000-plus detainees were released. 

“We at the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, mourn his passing away with all his dear and near ones and in solidarity celebrate his life and values with all our Sikh brethren.” 

Likewise, Tamil activists and lawyers, calling Justice Bains “the tireless saviour of Human Rights” mourned his death and said that it is a “huge loss to Tamils.”

Madras High Court lawyer, Rajiv Rufus recalled how Justice Bains was ever willing to come to Delhi to talk about the trampling of Tamil rights in Sri Lanka and the significance of Tamil identity in Tamil Nadu.  He also reminisced the visit of Justice Bains to Mumbai at the call of the PUCL, where he spoke at length about Tamil rights.

“Justice Bains was always a defender of oppressed, he was with the Tamils during the dirty phase of genocidal war in 2009 and stood for us. “

Rajiv Rufus, Advocate, High Court of Madras

Speaking to World Sikh News, Rufus remarked, “Justice Bains was always a defender of oppressed, he was with the Tamils during the dirty phase of genocidal war in 2009 and stood for us. I respectfully offer my condolences to his family, relatives, and the millions of Sikh brethren for their loss. I pay my tearful tributes to Justice Ajit Singh Bains, who dedicated his entire life to the poor and needy. He will continue to stay in the hearts of the people all over the world.”

Both Naga and Tamil human rights activists vowed to continue the legacy of Justice Bains to work for human dignity as human rights defenders.