Members of the Sikh community hosted an exhibition to raise awareness of the plight of a human rights activist.

The #Art4Justice exhibition on display at the Menier Gallery was inspired by the plight of Bapu Surat Singh, an 83-year-old who has been on hunger strike in India for 550 days. 
 

Curator of the exhibit Dr Manjit Kaur said, “We wanted to find a way for people to learn about what Bapu Surat Singh is fighting for in a way where they can take things in on their own.

"When we explored the idea of an art exhibition based on inspiration from Bapu’s hunger strike, we were overwhelmed by the response we got. 

"Since then the exhibition has been all over the UK, in Canada, America and India, so it is great to have finally brought it to London.”

The exhibition showcases works of art from Russia, USA, Canada and India in many different forms, from graffiti paint to crocheting to sketching.

"Most images focus on the frail figure of Bapu Surat Singh, whose own image has gone viral around the world due to the impact the hunger strike has had on his body.

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Bapu Surat Singh, an American citizen, left his home in California to begin the hunger strike in India in January 2015 to protest about India’s treatment of what are said to be “Sikh political prisoners”. 

Since then he has been arrested and force fed for approximately half that time. His health has deteriorated to the point where Bapu could pass away at any time.

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Dr Kaur explained, “Bapu is only alive now because of his spirit and determination to see the freedom of those imprisoned.

"These people have largely been detained under the TADA Act.

"This law was imposed by Indian authorities in 1985 but rescinded in 1995 after Human Rights groups protested, calling the laws draconian because they allowed charges to be levelled based on little evidence. After 20 years and more in jail because of the TADA Act, these men deserve their freedom.

“We hope those that have attended will have learnt a bit more about an ongoing struggle for human rights Sikhs face in India and also hope Bapu has inspired them in the same way he has inspired so many people around the world.”