Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa Biography 
Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa is a Sikh activist who has remained in limelight following his protests and hunger strikes. The release of Sikh prisoners from various jails in India has been one of the major demands of this Sikh activist. Through his high energetic work, he has started a movement to seek release of Sikh detainees by demonstrating unprecedented determination and commitment. He has remained in news for his strikes and statements that have been interpreted in many ways. He has huge supporters and fan following crowd among Sikhs, and now regarded as today’s hero of the Sikh freedom struggle.
He was born on December 12, 1965 at Thaska Ali of Kurukshetra district, Haryana. Ajit Singh and Mohinder Kaur are his parents. He has three siblings. He took primary education and Sikh education from Gurdwara Lakhnaur Sahib, where he was baptized. He was a Gursikh from his childhood. He was inspired by Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, and he set on a mission to spread Sikhi, for which he was arrested in 1982. He got married to Jasbir Kaur in 1987 and had a son.
In 1986-1987, when orange colour turban was banned in the state, he rose his voice against it. He was arrested for the second time in 1994 for his “radical” lecture. Afterwards many false complaints have been raised against him and in 2010, he was given 10-year rigorous imprisonment.
In November 2013, he went on a 44-day hunger strike to release a few Sikh prisoners retained in jails. He ended the strike after Giani Gurbachan Singh of Akal Thakat Jathedar promised to take up the issue. When none of the prisoners were released, Singh protested once again by announcing a hunger strike one year later. This time he got a great support for the campaign from Sikh community apart from celebrities, including actors and singers. Thus his second campaign was started on 14 November 2014 at Lakhnaur Gurdwara.
He was taken to hospital on 10th January, 58th day of the strike following breathing difficulties, where he continued with his hunger strike. He ended 64 days strike, 5 days after he was admitted to hospital. He was given a juice drink on assurance by DSGMC. But he was kept isolated from his supporters at the Civil Hospital in Ambala under tight security.
Published: N/A
Updated: January 28, 2016
