Bapu Surat Singh and Sikh Organizations Respond to the News of Satwinder Singh Bhola’s Murder in USA

NEW YORK—Bapu Surat Singh’s son-in-law Bhai Satwinder Singh Bhola was found murdered last night outside his apartment building complex in Peoria, IL, USA.  Satwinder Singh Bhola, who at one time was a presidium member of the All India Sikh Student Federation, is being thought as a key player in the hunger strike of Bapu Surat Singh.  Bhai Satwinder Singh had reportedly received a number of threat calls from unknown numbers ever since his wife joined her father’s campaign in Punjab.

In a statement released after finding out of his son-in-law’s murder, Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa said –

ਸਤਵਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਪੁੱਤਰਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਵਧ ਸੀ, ਪਰ ਉਸੇ ਦੇ ਜਾਣ ਨਾਲ ਜੇਲ੍ਹਾਂ ‘ਚ ਬੈਠੇ ਪੁੱਤਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਖਿਆਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਛੱਡ ਸਕਦਾ! ਮੇਰਾ ਇਰਾਦਾ ਉਸੇ ਤਰਾਂ ਕਾਇਮ ਹੈ ਜਿਵੇਂ 16 ਜਨਵਰੀ ਨੂੰ ਸੰਘਰਸ਼ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕਰਨ ਵੇਲੇ ਸੀ! ਜੇ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨਜ਼ਰਬੰਦ ਸਿਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਰਿਹਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦੀ ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਮੌਤ ਤੱਕ ਸੰਘਰਸ਼ ਜਾਰੀ ਰਹੇਗਾ

Satwinder Singh [my son-in-law] was more than a son to me.  However, with his demise, I cannot lose sight over my sons incarcerated in jails.  My decision to seek their release is still firm, just like it was when this struggle was initiated on January 16.  If the Government does not release imprisoned Sikhs, this struggle will continue until my last breath.

The Sikh Coalition, a US based advocacy and civil rights group issued –

The Sikh Coalition sends its deepest condolences to the family of Satwinder Singh Bhola (Sidhu). Satwinder, the son in law of Surat Singh, was murdered in Peoria, Illinois last night.

We are in direct contact with the family and are determining how we can best provide support. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this sad and tragic time.

Sikh Relief, an international humanitarian Sikh organization released the following statement –

Sikh Relief is saddened to hear that Bapu Surat Singh’s son-in-law Satwinder Singh who is the husband of Bibi Sarvarinder Kaur, the main spokesperson for the Bapu Surat Singh movement has been stabbed to death in Chicago, USA today.

The Sikh Federation, an eminent organization from UK stated –

Sikh Federation (UK) has contacted and urged the US State Dept, US State Illinois, US Embassy in UK, India and the UK Foreign Office to look into the wider circumstances and take all necessary action to find and punish the real instigators and culprits of the murder of innocent son, husband and father Shaheed Bhai Satwinder Singh Bhola, son in-law of Jathedar Surat Singh Ji Khalsa.

We have also contacted the US Ambassador to request an urgent meeting to follow up with this latest tragic incident, to keep updated follow us on www.twitter.com/Sikhfeduk

Referring to the news as tragic, the Organization for Minorities in India posted –

Tragic news and horribly timed. Sarvrinder Kaur has been the chief spokesperson for Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa. With her husband’s murder, the pressure on the family will be unbearable. Our prayers are with them.