Punjabi Youths Forced Into Russian Army: Pargat Singh Demands Action
Chandigarh(The Uttam Hindu): Padma Shri Pargat Singh, MLA and Secretary of the All India Congress Committee, has raised a serious issue, accusing the Central Government and Punjab Government of failing to protect Punjabi and North Indian youths who are being forcibly recruited into the Russian Army. Addressing a press conference at Punjab Congress Bhawan, Pargat Singh said that despite advisories issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), forced recruitment of Indian youths into the Russia–Ukraine war continues unchecked.
15 Punjabis Recruited, 5 Dead, 3 Missing
Pargat Singh revealed that in July 2025, fifteen Punjabi youths were sent to Russia under the pretext of jobs. By August, they were forcibly recruited into the Russian Army. Out of them, five have died, three are missing, and seven remain trapped.
He added that 126 youths from North India are currently stuck in the Russian Army, with at least 15 missing. So far, only one dead body has been recovered, while families continue to wait for answers.
Agents Running Nexus of Exploitation
The Congress leader alleged that fraudulent travel agents in India and Russia are running a human trafficking nexus. They lure youths with promises of high-paying jobs but send them into forced military service. Shockingly, these agents even control the ATM cards and salaries of the youths, as well as insurance money meant for families of those killed.
Pargat Singh demanded that the Punjab Government register FIRs against such agents and dismantle this nexus immediately. He also questioned why neither the state nor the Centre has acted firmly so far.
Families Share Painful Stories
• Jagdeep Singh of Goraya, Jalandhar, has been searching for his missing brother Mandeep Singh for over 18 months. With help from Pargat Singh, he managed to travel to Russia, gather documents, and continue his fight for justice.
• Parminder Kaur, wife of Tejpal Singh from Amritsar, said her husband was forcibly recruited into the Russian Army in January 2024 and died in the war. Despite a death certificate issued recently, his body remains missing after 1.5 years. She accused the MEA, Embassy, and Punjab Government of offering no support.
• Sarabjit Singh of Amritsar narrated how he and 18 others were sent to Russia in April 2024 with promises of jobs in a courier company. Instead, they were forced into the Russian Army. He survived frontline battle in Ukraine and returned to India, but said the Indian Embassy offered no help.
Other families, including those of Budhram from Malerkotla and Mehar Gursevak from Jalandhar Cantt, appealed for the immediate return of their sons.
“Not Just Families’ Pain, But Punjab’s Pain”
Pargat Singh said this issue is not just about a few families but about the dignity and safety of Punjab’s youth. He warned that if the Centre and Punjab Government do not act, the Congress will not remain silent.
He demanded:
• Financial aid for families of deceased youths.
• Immediate action with the Russian government to trace missing youths.
• Compensation for victims’ families.
• An end to forced recruitment of Indian youths into the Russian Army.
“Just issuing advisories is not enough,” he said. “The Centre and Punjab Government must act decisively to save our youth from being pushed into death.”