The book The Butcher of Punjab has sparked heated debate and polarized opinions across both social and political circles. The Butcher of Punjab centers on the highly contentious character of KPS Gill, and makes bold and provocative claims that explore the darkest periods of Punjab history during the insurgency periods of the 1980s and 1990s.
Gill, sometimes called “The Butcher of Punjab” by his detractors, served as Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP) amid a time of political unrest and violence. While Gill is credited by some with having returned order to a region that had previously been riddled with conflict, he is also accused by others of having instituted a horrible crackdown, littered with human rights violations, disappearances, and alleged extrajudicial killings.
The book paints a grim and disturbing picture of those years. Supporters view Gill as a national hero who saved Punjab from total chaos, while opponents regard Gill as the face of repressive state power. The apparent split has created controversy, especially among Sikh groups and advocates for human rights.
The book has prompted strong reactions from both readers and critics—which range from reverence for Gill’s no-nonsense approach to law enforcement and his embrace of violence, to outrage at the extreme violence detailed in the book and the alleged abuses he committed. As a historical account or a political provocation, The Butcher of Punjab makes the country reflect on a difficult memory in a deeply polarizing way.
Ultimately, the book speaks to how history is often constructed by power, by perspective, and by those who choose to speak in opposition to the official accounts. Whether you see KPS Gill as a savior or a suppressor, one proposition is clear from The Butcher of Punjab: the story isn’t over, and it requires answers still to this day.