AMRITSAR, Punjab—Various Sikh leaders met on Sunday March 2, 2014 to release the book titled, Supne Ton Sangarsh Val (From Dream to Struggle), authored by the Dal Khalsa mentor, Gajinder Singh, who’s name appeared on the Pakistani 20 most wanted persons list.
Gajinder Singh was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pakistan special court, for taking part in the 1981 hijacking case. Since his release from Pakistani prison in 1995, he has remained in exile.
The book is a compilation of poems written during his incarceration period, and exile. It has been dedicated to the wisdom of Sirdar Kapur Singh, and bravery of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale. A special tribute has also been paid in recognition of the statesmanship of anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela.
The first 5 copies of the anthology were presented to five young boys in a symbolic gesture of passing the baton to the next generation with the hope, and determination, to keep the freedom fighting spirit alive. Meanwhile spirited youth shouted slogans in favor of Azadi.
Kanwar Pal Singh, organizer of the meet, addressed the press conference along with other dignitaries, and told listeners that Gajinder joined with politics as a student under the guidance of ex-ICS officer Kapur Singh. The day chosen to release his anthology, marked the 105 anniversary of Kapur Singh’s birth.
Taking a dig at Indian government for including Gajinder’s name in the most wanted wanted list, H S Dhami, president of the group, said it was totally unjustified, and against all canons of jurisprudence.
Sikh leaders were of the considered opinion that Gajinder should have freedom to choose his resident status. Representatives of various groups urged the UN to ensure that the civil, and political, rights of Gajinder are restored, and that he should be granted full liberty to pursue his personal, and political, life, without fear, or intervention of any kind.
“What are the international rights of a hijacker who has undergone imprisonment terms, and why should governments continue to hound such a person”, they asked.
The author’s message emphasizes that the Sikhs are a separate people, and they have a vision to establish their own sovereign rule. He admits that the journey into exile, and the path from exile to freedom, for any individual, or nation, is long, painful and arduous.
In a written statement, Baba Harnam Singh expressed his appreciation for Gajinder’s commitment, farsightedness, and political wisdom. He said Gajinder’s dream of independence is the dream of every Sikh, and he hopes that Sikhs will one day achieve their mission.
Present at the meet were, former IAS Gurtej Singh, human rights activist Prof Jagmohan Singh, Sikh Nationalist leader Bhai Daljeet Singh, and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Karnail Singh Panjoli, who together wrote the preface of the book, lauding the dedication, and zeal, shown by Gajinder Singh in the Sikh freedom struggle. Former Minister Manjit Singh Calcutta, Youth leader Mandhir Singh, and Bhai Mohkam Singh also attended the function.
