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Jagtar Singh Tara, a member of the banned terrorist organization Babbar Khalsa, is notorious for his involvement in the assassination of Beant Singh, the 12th Chief Minister of Punjab. Known for his daring escape from a high-security jail and his controversial declaration as the Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Tara’s story is one of intrigue and defiance. This article delves into the life of this Sikh militant, his role in the assassination, his escape from prison, and the ongoing debate surrounding his leadership position. Brace yourself for a gripping tale of terrorism, resilience, and the fight for Sikh sovereignty.

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Jagtar Singh Tara: A Prominent Figure in the Sikh Militant Movement and Babbar Khalsa Member

Jagtar Singh Tara is a well-known name in the Sikh militant movement and a member of the Babbar Khalsa, a banned terrorist organization that advocates for the creation of an independent Sikh state known as Khalistan. Born on 16 May 1973 in Hawara, Punjab, Tara was deeply influenced by the Sikh militancy that emerged in the 1980s as a response to Operation Blue Star, a military operation conducted by the Indian government to remove Sikh separatists from the Golden Temple in 1984.

Background and Early Life

Tara was born and raised in Hawara, a village in the Fatehgarh Sahib district of Punjab. Growing up in a region marked by political unrest and violence, he witnessed firsthand the impact of the Sikh separatist movement. This environment played a significant role in shaping his beliefs and convictions. Tara joined the Babbar Khalsa, a radical group founded by Sukhdev Singh Babbar, who was later killed by the police in 1992. He quickly rose through the ranks and became a close associate of Jagtar Singh Hawara, another prominent member of the Babbar Khalsa who eventually became the chief of the organization.

Involvement in the Assassination of Beant Singh

One of the most notorious acts associated with Jagtar Singh Tara is his involvement in the assassination of Beant Singh, the 12th Chief Minister of Punjab. On 31 August 1995, Beant Singh was tragically killed by a suicide bomber outside the Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh. The bomber, Dilawar Singh Babbar, a member of the Babbar Khalsa, detonated explosives strapped to his body as Beant Singh’s car approached, resulting in the deaths of 17 people, including Beant Singh and Dilawar Singh, and injuring 15 others.

Tara, along with Jagtar Singh Hawara and Paramjit Singh Bheora, were the masterminds behind this heinous act. They meticulously planned the attack for months, procuring explosives, arranging logistics, and recruiting Dilawar Singh as the human bomb. Their intention was to destabilize the government and further their cause for Khalistan. Although their plan was successful, the consequences were devastating, leading to widespread condemnation and a massive manhunt to bring the culprits to justice.

Escape from Burail Jail

In a daring and audacious act, Jagtar Singh Tara, along with Jagtar Singh Hawara, Paramjit Singh Bheora, and Devi Singh, managed to escape from the high-security Burail jail in 2004. Using only their bare hands, they dug a 104-foot tunnel from their barrack over a period of two years. The escape was meticulously planned, with the prisoners concealing their activities by putting up curtains and using code words to communicate. They even obtained a book on escape techniques to aid their efforts.

On the night of their escape, taking advantage of power outages allegedly caused by Narain Singh Chaura, a Sikh activist, they crawled through the tunnel and scaled the jail wall to freedom. The jailbreak sent shockwaves throughout the country and triggered a massive manhunt to recapture the escaped prisoners. Tara was eventually arrested in Thailand in 2015 and extradited to India.

Jagtar Singh Tara’s life has been marked by acts of violence and defiance, driven by his unwavering commitment to the Khalistan movement. While his actions have been widely condemned, they have also sparked debates and discussions about the root causes of Sikh militancy and the aspirations of the Sikh community.

Conviction and Sentencing

Following his arrest, Jagtar Singh Tara, along with Jagtar Singh Hawara and Paramjit Singh Bheora, faced a lengthy trial that lasted for 10 years. In 2007, the Chandigarh court convicted them for their involvement in the assassination of Beant Singh and sentenced them to death. Balwant Singh Rajoana, who had confessed to his role in the conspiracy, was also given the death penalty.

However, in 2010, the Punjab and Haryana High Court commuted the death sentences of Tara, Hawara, and Bheora to life imprisonment, while upholding Rajoana’s death sentence. The case is currently pending in the Supreme Court of India, awaiting further legal proceedings.

Current Imprisonment at Tihar Jail

Jagtar Singh Tara is currently serving his life sentence at Tihar Jail in New Delhi. Tihar Jail is one of the largest and most secure prisons in India. Despite being behind bars, Tara continues to be a prominent figure in the Sikh militant movement.

His imprisonment has not deterred his commitment to the cause of Khalistan. Tara remains steadfast in his beliefs and has expressed his willingness to sacrifice his life for the sovereignty of the Sikh community. He considers himself a soldier of the Khalistan movement and is prepared to face any consequences that come his way.

While incarcerated, Tara has limited contact with the outside world, but his influence and impact on the Sikh community continue to resonate. His imprisonment serves as a reminder of the complex and deeply rooted issues surrounding Sikh separatism and the ongoing struggle for self-determination.

As the legal proceedings unfold and the debate surrounding his actions and motivations continues, Jagtar Singh Tara’s story serves as a testament to the enduring power of conviction and the complexities of political and religious movements.

Controversial Declaration as Jathedar of Akal Takht

Disputed Appointment and Reactions

In 2015, Jagtar Singh Tara was declared as the interim Jathedar (leader) of the Akal Takht, the highest seat of authority in Sikhism, by a Sarbat Khalsa (congregation of Sikhs) organized at Chabba village on the outskirts of Amritsar, Punjab. However, this declaration was met with controversy and divided opinions within the Sikh community.

While some welcomed Tara’s appointment as a symbol of resistance against political interference and corruption in Sikh institutions, others viewed it as a divisive and illegitimate move that violated Sikh traditions and norms. The declaration was seen by many as an attempt to revive the Khalistan movement and was met with skepticism and concern.

Denouncement by SGPC and Sikh Clergy

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the official Sikh body responsible for managing Sikh affairs, along with the majority of the Sikh clergy and leaders, denounced the Sarbat Khalsa and its resolutions as unlawful and invalid. They maintained that Gurbachan Singh, the Jathedar appointed by the SGPC, remained the legitimate leader of the Akal Takht and that no one had the authority to remove or replace him.

The SGPC and Sikh clergy accused the organizers of the Sarbat Khalsa of being influenced by anti-India forces and attempting to disrupt the peace and harmony within the Sikh community. They emphasized the importance of upholding Sikh principles and traditions, and expressed concerns that the declaration of Tara as Jathedar could further fuel tensions and hinder the progress of the Sikh community.

The controversy surrounding Tara’s appointment as Jathedar of the Akal Takht highlights the complex dynamics within the Sikh community and the ongoing struggle to reconcile differing perspectives and aspirations. The dispute serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in maintaining unity and preserving the integrity of Sikh institutions.

Jagtar Singh Tara, a member of the Babbar Khalsa, a banned terrorist organization, is known for his involvement in the assassination of Beant Singh, the former Chief Minister of Punjab. He is also notorious for his escape from a high-security jail in 2004. Currently serving a life sentence, Tara was declared as the Jathedar of the Akal Takht, the highest seat of authority in Sikhism, by a Sarbat Khalsa in 2015, although this declaration is disputed and unrecognized by the official Sikh body. Despite his criminal activities, Tara was recently granted a two-hour parole to attend a family event.