ON the 25th anniversary of the assassination of Punjabi editor and publisher Tara Singh Hayer (November 15, 1936 – November 18, 1998), his son, former MLA Dave Hayer, noted: “On Saturday, November 18, we commemorate Tara Singh Hayer, my father’s message of freedom of expression and freedom of speech, his message against hate, violence, extremism, and terrorism.

“My father’s life was devoted to democracy, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press to speak out against those who try to prevent those freedoms, the right that we in Canadian society hold so precious, to live and speak without fear.

“He believed in leading by example, and even though he knew he was putting his life in danger, he had the courage to not only speak out about his own beliefs but also speak out for victims and the innocent.

“My father believed that it was not right to remain quiet while some individuals worked against our freedoms, because then they would win … and we must never let those who promote hatred, extremism, violence, and terrorism succeed.”

Tara Singh Hayer, who was assassinated in Surrey after reporting about terrorism, received several awards including the Order of British Columbia, and the International Award of Distinction for Journalism from the International Association of Punjabi Authors and Artists. In 1999, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression renamed its annual Press Freedom Award the “Tara Singh Hayer Press Freedom Award” in Hayer’s honour.

In 2000 Tara Singh Hayer’s name was added to the Canadian News Hall of Fame. He was the first Canadian of non-English, non-French origin to be so honoured. The same year, he was selected as one of the International Press Institute’s (IPI) 50 World Press Freedom Heroes of the past 50 years. One of the presenters of the award for Late Tara Singh Hayer as “World Press Freedom Hero” in 2000 was USA Senator Ted Kennedy in Boston, US.

Chetna Association of Canada has also bestowed an S. Tara Singh Hayer Journalism Award and honors journalists who have been courageous and written stories on marginalized communities.

Dave Hayer said: “I would like everyone to remember my father as a voice for freedom, democracy and for the courage that supported him to speak out against the terrorism that resulted in the deaths of 331 innocent people, over 268 Canadians and 86 children were killed in Air India bombings.”