Protesting against the SAD-BJP led Punjab Government’s failure to address the lingering issue of release of Sikh prisoners who have completed their jail terms, the representatives of various Sikh groups has decided to court arrest on May 15 in front of Chief Minister’s residence. leaders from various Sikh groups like Dal Khalsa, United Akali Dal, Akali Dal Panch Pardani, Sikh Youth of Punjab, Akand Kirtani Jatha, Damdami Taksal (Ajnala), Panthik Sewa lehar, under the banner of Committee for the release of political prisoners (CRPP), will march from Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib to Chandigarh on Friday, said CRPP coordinator Gurdeep Singh Bhatinda.
He said that after performing ardaas at historic Gurdwara of Fatehgarh Sahib, the march would begin. “CRPP took this decision to voluntarily offer for arrest after all their appeals to the Centre as well as the State Government have fallen on deaf ears. Akali veteran Bapu Surat Singh, who is on fast unto death since January 16, is determined to die for the cause,” he said.
Bapu Surat Singh’s struggle is a continuation of what Gurbakash Singh left half-way that too abruptly. Fully supporting the cause of Surat Singh in his struggle for justice and equality to Sikh prisoners, he called upon all organisations, human rights and civil liberties groups to join the protest. DSGMC to approach NHRC to evolve mechanism for release of Sikh prisoners
Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) on Wednesday decided to again approach the National Human Right Commission (NHRC) to evolve a uniform mechanism for premature release of convicts lodged in the jails, especially the Sikh prisoners suffering since the days of turmoil in 1980s-90s. The decision came after the Supreme Court on Wednesday gave the DSGMC liberty to approach the NHRC, subsequent to a petition filed by the gurdwara committee. A delegation led by DSGMC president Manjit Singh GK would soon approach the NHRC to start a process to evolve the mechanism for premature release of prisoners.