KJ Singh’s murder a sign of the times in Punjab

The immediate thought that struck one’s mind on hearing the news of the gruesome murder of Karan Jeet Singh or KJ — as he was better known as — was “why him”. The 63-year-old journalist and his 92-year-old mother were murdered in Mohali, near Chandigarh, four days ago. He was neither mired in controversies nor was known to have rattled people by his journalism. But given the uncertainty that prevails in the country and intolerance that is on the rise, I don’t blame those who were quick to link this double murder with the murder of journalists Gauri Lankesh and Santanu Bhowmik. “Why isn’t there a similar hue and cry in this case, asked some people?”

Even if the reasons for the murder of Singh and his mother were different from the killings of Lankesh and Bhowmik, there is reason enough for an outcry. Preliminary police investigations are pointing to the murder being the handiwork of hired assassins. Police are working on property dispute or robbery being the motive for the killings. Either way, it is a reflection on the times we are living in and the lawlessness that prevails in the country, especially Punjab.

The Punjab government has ordered an inquiry by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is going about its job of collecting information, sifting through documents, looking at CCTV footage, checking telephone call details and talking to his close relatives and other people. But isn’t appointment of a SIT itself reflective of the worsening condition law and order? Setting up of SITs has been a trend in Punjab for some years now. Had the police been doing their job, why would a SIT be required? While the appointment of a “SIT” may deflect attention and subside anger somewhat, the fact is that SITs formed during the past five years in Punjab have yielded no better results than the usual inquiries.

Like many other places in the country, Punjab is lapsing into lawlessness. This is so even after many years of living with militancy. What is worse, there is helplessness. While the economy is on the brink of collapse and joblessness on the increase, government’s writ has loosened.  This is clear from the mushrooming of gangsters who have sprung up all over the state. With the executive inured into inaction by political interference and tardiness of the judicial system, the common man in Punjab has been left to fend for himself or should plan to go abroad. According to indications, in this case, KJ of late complained to his relatives that his house was being watched by some people. But before he could act, the killers struck. While he was stabbed multiple times, his aged mother, who was in another room, was strangulated.

Singh’s murder is also unfortunate because he was a non-controversial man who usually kept to himself even at work. One remembers KJ dressed soberly at work with his distinct silk scarf. He described himself as “apolitical”, “holistic” in religious views, straight person but not straitjacketed.” Moderate in habits, who would take an occasional glass or two of beer but not more. Even though KJ was a sought-after eligible bachelor in younger days and befriended a few women, he remained single and would laugh off suggestions of getting married. He stayed with his mother in Mohali, where he met his morbid end.

At work in newspaper offices, his editing and language skills were par excellence and he was a true page layout and design “artist”. I remember him from the days when I was the resident editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh in the 1990s. In order to give the paper a fillip, the paper had decided to launch a coloured city pullout. That is how Chandigarh Newsline was born. As deputy news editor, KJ handled the Newsline desk at The Indian Express admirably. The city paper, with its unique design and layout, soon became a household name in and around Chandigarh. Later becoming a trend all over the country, which continues to this day.

He later worked as news editor for Times of India in Chandigarh and then the senior news editor of The Tribune, where too his colleagues remember him for his diligence and for imparting soft editing skills to youngsters. Good, smart headlines were his forte. Of late, he had withdrawn from active journalism and was only doing some freelance work from home. “Media start-up adviser” is how he described his present occupation.

KJ usually kept to himself and had a very small group of friends. A technology geek, he spent most of his time reading up on world affairs and sharing news and videos from the World Economic Forum and The Guardian. On his Facebook wall, he was highly critical of the present day media, especially the TV anchors who believed in “bullying” and “lung power”. At once such instance, he quoted Wole Soyinka, “A tiger does not shout its tigritude, it acts”, and added, “Be a professional tiger, therefore, and earn our respect”.

He had been involved in a number of signature campaigns on social media. Incidentally, one of these was against injustice and violence. Ironically, he met a violent death!

After Gauri Lankesh’s murder, KJ Singh had written on his Facebook wall, “Let her be, at least now… Gauri Lankesh met a violent end. She was not violent. Only she firmly believed in what she did and spoke her mind about it. Time for a dignified mourning for a fine journalist and not wasteful talk whether “activism” makes one a lesser newsperson or not.”

How true! While the police go about their job in tracking down the killers, let us, the journalistic fraternity, give KJ Singh, the elegant and quiet man that he was, a well-deserved, dignified farewell.