Daughter of slain Sikh activist Jaswant Singh Khalra reflects on his legacy

Jaswant Singh Khalra, a Sikh human‑rights activist who was abducted and killed in 1995 after exposing the mass cremation of thousands of missing persons in Punjab, has been memorialised by his daughter Navkiran in a recent interview. Navkiran recounted her father’s relentless pursuit of justice, noting that his investigations led to the recovery of more than 2,000 bodies and prompted a landmark Supreme Court ruling that mandated the registration of all cremations. She said Khalra’s commitment to truth “still guides our family and the countless families still waiting for answers,” and emphasized that his work continues to influence legal reforms and civil‑society activism across the region.

The interview coincided with the release of the feature film “The Last Breath,” which dramatizes Khalra’s investigation and the circumstances of his disappearance. The filmmakers consulted Navkiran and other family members to ensure factual accuracy, and the production has been described by critics as a “faithful tribute” that brings renewed public attention to the unresolved cases of the 1990s. Navkiran expressed hope that the film will inspire a new generation to pursue accountability, adding that the legacy of her father “is not just a story of loss, but a call to keep demanding truth.”