Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa: Jathedar Must Use His Rights to Ensure Well Being of the Panth

CHANDIGARH, India—Sikh activist Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa has stated that Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh should ensure the well being of the Sikh Panth using his rights. as he is enjoying one of the top posts of Sikhs. “If he still fails to so, coming generations will never forgive him,” he said.

Bhai Khalsa is struggling for the welfare of Sikh political prisoners and his second hunger strike has entered the 8^th day at Gurdwara Lakhnaur Sahib Patshahi 10^th (Ambala). One year ago, he sat a fast unto death at Gurdwara Amb Sahib Mohali (Punjab).

Talking to a Punjabi daily newspaper, he said he met Giani Gurbachan Singh on November 19 and submitted a list of 101 Sikh political prisoners languishing in jails at different places of India. In the list, he said, 7 Sikh prisoners have been jailed for 20 to 26 years. Some of them have served the term of 6-7 years more than that granted by the courts.

He named Bhai Waryam Singh Bareli (Madh Pardesh), Bhai Gurdeep Singh Khaira (Karnatka), Bhai Lal Singh Nabha Jail (Punjab), Bhai Lakhwinder Singh, Bhai Shamsher Singh and Bhai Gurmit Singh (trio are in Burail Jail Chandigarh) and Prof. Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar who have completed their jail terms but are still behind bars.

Bhai Khalsa said that the Jathedar made assurances that he would get this issue resolved by meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Parkash Badal, but even after the passage of one month no action had been taken by the Jathedar. This forced Bhai Khalsa to launch another agitation for the release of Sikh detainees.

He clarified that he sat on his hunger strike after praying before Sri Guru Granth Sahib and until Singhs are not released, he will continue his struggle.

He complained that during his Amb Sahib (Mohali) strike, SGPC president and other Akali leaders met him within 24 hours, but this time nobody bothered even after 7 days.

Terming Makkar’s statement that he has been working for the well being of Sikh prisoners for last 9 years as false, Bhai Khalsa questioned the SGPC chief as to on how many occasions he met the Sikh detainees.