The Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh on Tuesday asked Gurbakash Singh Khalsa to end his ongoing hunger strike with immediate effect.
The Jathedar said that due to the sincere efforts of Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Punjab Government, the Sikh detainees are being released from various jails. He said that release of all detainees would fructify shortly as legal process was initiated by the Punjab Government.
Giani Gurbachan Singh said that Sikh community cannot afford to lose Gurbakash Singh as his condition is deteriorating due to his hunger strike which entered 41st day on Tuesday. Meanwhile, radical Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh said Takht Jathedar’s decision was too late. “Had the Jathedar taken lead from the first day, the issue would have resolved by now, he said. Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa is on fast-unto-death for the last 41 days demanding release of six Sikh detainees who have already completed their jail terms.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said that though the State Government has hardly any role to play in this matter but they were seriously contemplating to solve this issue.
He said that they have already taken up this matter with the Governments of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh to solve the matter of the release of the detainees.