NEW DELHI—Indian High Commission has officially requested the Pakistan Government to release Sarabjeet Singh on “humanitarian grounds” and allow him to be treated in India. The appeal comes after the Jinnah hospital in Lahore confirmed that Sarabjeet is in coma and on ventilator. It has been learned that the Indian High Commission officials were given access to Sarabjeet yesterday and they are keeping in close touch with the medical staff at the hospital.
In a press statement, Adaish Partap Singh Kairon, Food and Civil Supplies Minister of Punjab, alleged that transfer of Sarabjeet to India would help “strengthen the bilateral ties between two countries and also give the message of peace.”
Twitter feed of Mr. Syed Akbaruddin (@AkbarMea), Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, India, was seen carrying messages of support for Sarabjeet Singh. Akbaruddin tweeted that condition of Sarabjeet is still critical. He also requested that “[the] attack on Sarabjit be thoroughly investigated to identify those responsible and to ensure that they are punished.”
It is highly commendable for Indian Government to support Sarabjeet Singh, but at the same time, it exposes the hypocritical nature of the Government. India has in past remained quiet over Sarabjeet’s case as he was officially hired to spy in Pakistan. Had the Government intervened timely, Sarabjeet would have been released by now.
While the Government is officially overseeing this case to ensure release of Sarabjeet on humanitarian grounds, it needs to realize that India must start to respect its own political prisoners with respect. Political prisoners, even those adhering to peaceful ideologies, have long accused the Indian Government of mistreatment and torture.
Case of Sarabjeet has again come to the forefront when Sikhs living worldwide have been rallying for release of Prof. Davinderpal Singh Bhullar. Prof. Bhullar, like many other prisoners across jails in India, has faced immense torture. Prof. Bhullar faces imminent execution threat in India despite there being no supportive evidence against him. Indian Government also received a backlash when it secretly executed Ajmal Kasab and Afzal Guru, without even informing their immediate family.
