Pash

Pash (ਅਵਤਾਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਪਾਸ਼, sometimes spelled Paash) (September 9, 1950 – March 23, 1988) was the pen name of Avtar Singh Sandhu, an Indian poet. His strongly left-wing views were reflected in his poetry.

He was born in Talwandi Salem, Jalandhar, Punjab, growing up in the midst of Naxalite a revolutionary movement waged in punjab against the landlords, industrialists, traders, etc. who control the means of production. He published his first book of revolutionary poems, Loh-Katha (Iron Tale) in 1970; his militant and provocative tone raised the ire of the establishment and a murder charge was hastily brought against him. He spent nearly two years in jail, before being finally acquitted.

On acquittal, he became involved in Punjab's maoist front, editing a literary magazine, Siarh (The Plow Line). He became a popular political figure on the left during this period, and was awarded a fellowship at the Punjabi Academy of Letters in 1985. He toured the United Kingdom and the United States the following year; while in the U.S., he became involved with the Anti-47 Front, opposing Sikh extremist violence.

Pash, who was in Punjab for a holiday from the U.S., was shot dead by a group of Khalistani terrorists.

Read more about Pash:  Literary Works, Quotes About Pash