Harvinder Singh Phoolka is a Senior Advocate of Delhi High Court, politician, human rights activist, and author. He served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Legislative Assembly.
He is known for spearheading what is described as "one of the longest and most torturous legal battle" and "crusades" to gain justice for the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms and fighting individual cases on the involvement of Congress-I leaders H. K. L. Bhagat, Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler despite the government cover-up. He received threatening letters for unearthing involvements of ruling political party leaders in what the Asian Age called "the Mother of all Cover-ups" in a front-page story. The special anniversary edition of the Outlook included Phoolka in its list of 50 people that make a difference in India, alongside Amartya Sen and Abhinav Ghosh.
Harinder Singh’s conversation covers a range of themes with Mr. Harvinder Singh Phoolka from Sikh, Panjabi, Indian, and International perspectives.
This liv discusses about understanding what it takes to spearhead long and tortuous legal crusade to gain justice for the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms and fight political leaders despite the government cover-up.
It has been 39 years since the 1984 Sikh Genocide orchestrated by the Indian government. Why is the legal course of action still necessary? What outcomes have been achieved so far, and what else is being pursued?
Over the past four decades since 1984—marked by "Operation Blue Star" and the Sikh Genocide—various discourses have emerged, often graphic, grave, and heart-wrenching.