35 Years After Sewewala Massacre, Survivors and Families Keep Fight Alive
In Bathinda, the passage of thirty-five years has done little to heal the deep wounds left by a tragic event in Sewewala village, Faridkot district. On April 9, 1991, eighteen activists and laborers were brutally gunned down, and today, the memories remain raw and vivid among survivors and the families of the victims.
A Survivor's Story: Harinder Kaur Bindu's Journey
Among those profoundly affected is Harinder Kaur Bindu, now 49 years old and an active member of the BKU Ekta Ugrahan women's wing. She was just fourteen when militants stormed a gathering and killed her father, Megh Raj Bhagtuana, along with seventeen others. This personal loss has fueled her lifelong commitment to activism, as she continues to advocate for the rights of the marginalized.
The Fateful Day: A Gathering Turned Deadly
The victims had assembled at a Dalit laborers' dharmshala for a program organized by the 'jabar ate firkaprasti virodhi front.' The event featured speeches and cultural performances aimed at supporting the rights of poor workers and farmers. Survivors recount that armed militants suddenly opened fire and hurled grenades, resulting in the deaths of eighteen individuals and leaving a community in shock and mourning.
Commemorating the 35th Anniversary
On Thursday, members of the front and local activists gathered to mark the 35th anniversary of the Sewewala massacre. They reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to raising issues affecting poor workers and farmers, honoring the sacrifices made that day. Five of those killed hailed from Bhagtuana village, where Bindu visited a memorial dedicated to her father and the other victims, paying heartfelt tributes.
The Ongoing Struggle for Justice and Rights
During the remembrance, activists emphasized that the fight for justice and equality continues. "We paid a heavy price for standing up for the poor, and that fight is still on," they declared, highlighting how the legacy of the Sewewala massacre inspires ongoing efforts to address social and economic injustices in the region.
