In normal circumstances, the paths of retired political science professor Dr Harpal Singh and former councillor Maulvi Yameen would perhaps never cross. In normal circumstances, after both lost their sons to communal riots, there would have been even fewer chances of that.

But for Singh and Yameen, two men in their 70s, ‘normal’ lost its meaning that day of May 22, 1987, when 43 Muslims were shot dead, allegedly by Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) jawans. They have spent the past two decades fighting for justice for the families of the 43, though personally they have nothing at stake.

Speak to anyone on the streets of Hashimpura mohalla, and they say: “We could have never come so far without the support of Maulviji and Doctor Sahib.”

Both men have ensured the issue stays in the public discourse. While Singh used his academic contacts to ensure bureaucrats reacted, Yameen pulled all his political strings to get the case moving.

They have formed a legal aid committee to support the Hashimpura case being tried at a Delhi Sessions Court since 2000. Together, they also arrange for money and resources for residents of Hashimpura to attend court proceedings in Delhi as well as organise press conferences, letters, petitions etc needed from time to time.

For Singh, it all started when, three days before the Hashimpura massacre, his son Dr Prabhat Singh fell to communal violence. Prabhat was killed by a “Muslim” mob, while on his way to attend to a Muslim patient.

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