Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Friday unanimously declared Sarabjit Singh “a martyr of the nation”.
Paying tribute to the Indian prisoner who was “mercilessly killed” after the brutal attack by his fellow prisoners in Pakistan jail, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal moved a resolution in the Assembly bestowing him the title of a “martyr of the community”.
Seconding the resolution, the leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Jakhar, and senior Congress MlA and former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal demanded to give him the status of a “national martyr”, instead of that of the community.
Badal, moving the resolution, stated, “The emergency session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha expresses grief over the merciless killing of Sarbjit Singh in the prison in Pakistan. This House pays rich tribute to Sarabjit Singh, believing him to be a martyr of the country. ”
Besides, the House also asked the Central Government to build up international pressure to get the causes of the martyrdom of Sarabjit investigated by an impartial International agency.
He further urged the Central Government to initiate strong and effective diplomatic efforts to ensure the safety of prisoners belonging to India and of Indian origin, who are lodged in the prisons of Pakistan or other countries.
Only a day ago, Chief Minister had announced that the Punjab Government will provide Government jobs to Sarabjit Singh’s two daughters.