LUDHIANA, Punjab—Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa, who has been campaigning for the release of Sikh political prisoners since January 16, 2015, has issued a statement giving some clarifications to the on-going movement.
Bapu Ji has provided the reason of going on hunger strike after Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa ended the Lakhnaur Sahib morcha in January. He has also described how the police arrested his only son and other Singhs on February 26 from the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana.
Finally, Bapu Surat Singh writes about the plight of Sikh political prisoners and how Sikhs in general are treated differently in India.
Following is the translation of the entire statement issued two days by Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa. Copy of the original signed letter has been provided at the bottom.
I, Surat Singh Khalsa, NRI, s/o late Dr. Santokh Singh, resident of Hassanpur, Tehsil and district Ludhiana, state that I announced from the stage of Gurdwara Amb Sahib on November 26, 2013, that if any mis-happening takes place with Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa who was on hunger strike at that time, due to rude attitude of the government, struggle for release of Sikh prisoners would continue and I will replace him. Sangat had accepted my request by raising slogans of ‘Bole So Nihal’. However, the struggle did not bear fruit.
Gurbaksh Singh again sat on fast unto death at Gurdwara Lakhnaur Sahib (Haryana). I was living with my family [at that time]. My announcement made on November 26, 2013 started to disturb my conscience. I came back to Punjab and met Gurbaksh Singh. He demonstrated determination for his struggle at that time but later left the ground in-between. Only after that, I have been sitting on fast since January 16, 2015, as per my words for the cause of human rights. Police has registered cases against my son Ravinder Jeet Singh and other Singhs under section 107/151 for allegedly provoking me to die. These cases are totally false and baseless. I have been struggling peacefully for human rights since when I was 13 years old and will keep doing so till my last breath. My struggle is based on human rights. My struggle is for all those persons who are facing imprison terms in various jails of India and have fully cooperated with the court sentences. The courts punished them for their alleged offences. There are many prisoners [still behind bars] who have completed their terms for whatever crimes they had committed.
As far as Sikh prisoners in Punjab and other states, their story is different from others. These Sikh prisoners were farmers, had other jobs, or were students, and lived in a peaceful environment. In the first week of June, 1984, government sent its army to attack Sri Darbar Sahib, supreme Sikh shrine, due to which , they could not control their religious sentiments and took up arms to rebel against the Government. They have completed their punishment as per Indian law. These Sikh prisoners are political prisoners. Therefore, those who have completed their terms, should be released. The police is talking about 82 prisoners, which is purely false information.
I want the following information from the Punjab government and police department:
- I sat on fast unto death for 10 more hours than Anna Hazare for the rigid Lokpal Bill. Did my son and others provoke me to die? Today, when I am sitting on hunger strike for a different reason, why am I being treated like a terrorist?
- At least 10 of my family members came from USA. At the time of Anna’s fast, my family members had come to support me as well.
- It is my own responsibility for my health and life. Nobody has provoked me to take such step.
Surat Singh Khalsa,
Civil hospital, Ludhiana.
