A family member of one of the assassins of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is running as an Independent candidate in the parliamentary elections in Punjab from the Faridkot (Reserved) constituency.
In the upcoming parliamentary elections in Punjab, a notable contender running as an Independent candidate from the Faridkot (Reserved) constituency is Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, who happens to be a relative of one of the assassins involved in the tragic event of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination. Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, aged 45 and a Class XII dropout, is the son of Beant Singh, one of the two individuals responsible for the assassination of the late Prime Minister at her residence on October 31, 1984.
Sarabjit Singh Khalsa has a history of participating in electoral contests, having previously contested unsuccessfully in the Lok Sabha elections from the Fatehgarh Sahib (Reserved) constituency in 2009 and from the Bathinda constituency in 2014. In the 2019 elections, he represented the Bahujan Samaj Party. Notably, in the 2014 elections, Sarabjit Singh Khalsa disclosed assets amounting to Rs 3.5 crore in his election affidavit.
Interestingly, Sarabjit Singh Khalsa hails from a politically engaged family background. His mother, Bimal Kaur, and his grandfather, Sucha Singh, both achieved notable political milestones by serving as Members of Parliament from Ropar and Bathinda, respectively, in 1989.
It’s noteworthy that the BJP has announced its decision to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Punjab independently, without forming an alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Meanwhile, other political parties like the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have also announced their candidates for various constituencies in Punjab, reflecting the dynamic and competitive landscape of the upcoming electoral season.
Assassination of Indira Gandhi
Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated on October 31, 1984, by her Sikh bodyguards, Satwant Singh and Beant Singh, following Operation Blue Star in June 1984. This military action, ordered by Gandhi, resulted in casualties among pilgrims and significant damage to Sikh sites like the Akal Takht and Sikh Reference Library.
The aftermath saw the 1984 Sikh massacres, with political figures from the Indian National Congress instigating violence against Sikhs across India. The four days of unrest led to the destruction of numerous Gurdwaras and sacred Sikh places. Official estimates state 3,350 deaths, while other sources suggest figures between 8,000 to 16,000 Sikh casualties.
