Petition to Help Save Life of Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa and Release the 6 Political Prisoners

HYDERABAD, India—This is an urgent appeal to secure the permanent release of the 6 Sikh political prisoners of conscience who are being deprived of their liberty by being imprisoned in India for years beyond their terms of sentencing. Each of these individuals is in continuous detention for a period ranging from 18 to 23 years, a period which is far in excess of the 14 years sentence imposed on them.

Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa, a Sikh activist from Kurukshetra, Haryana, is on a continuous hunger strike protest since Nov 14, 2014 seeking the permanent release of these 6 Sikh political prisoners. Seeing no reaction from authorities, he has toughened his stance and decided to stop having water starting on January 2, 2015. This demands the immediate attention of the Indian Government as his health condition is already very critical and anything could happen to him at any time. This requires urgent attention, as if something happens it will lead to dire consequences.

The appeal is to safeguard the human rights and freedom of these 6 Sikh political prisoners who are,

1. Bhai Gurmeet Singh, S/o Sh. Jaswinder Singh w.e.f. 1995 Burail Jail Chandigarh.

2. Bhai Lakhwinder Singh, S/o Sh. Dharam Singh w.e.f. 1995 Burail Jail Chandigarh.

3. Bhai Shamsher Singh, S/o Sh. Surjit Singh w.e.f. 1995 Burail Jail Chandigarh.

4. Bhai Lal Singh, S/o Sh. Bagh Singh w.e.f. 1992 Nabha Jail, Distt.Patiala (Punjab).

5. Bhai Wariam Singh, S/o Sh. Atma Singh w.e.f. 1990 Bareli Jail (UP).

6. Bhai Gurdeep Singh Khaira, S/o Sh. Banta Singh w.e.f. 1991 Gulbarg Jail (Karnatka).

It must be noted that as per various jail manuals, life term cases are considered for permanent release from prison after the convict has served 14 years in prison. These 6 Sikhs have already completed their terms but they are still languishing in the Indian Jails. All of their jail records are clean and there are no post conviction crimes committed by any of them.

We urge you to secure the permanent release of these Sikh prisoners of conscience and save the life of Sikh activist Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa by signing the petition. 

Link to Petition: https://www.change.org/p/central-government-of-india-state-government-of-punjab-secure-the-permanent-release-of-sikh-prisoners-of-conscience-gurmeet-singh-lakhwinder-singh-shamsher-singh-lal-singh-wariam-singh-and-gurdeep-singh-khaira-and-save-the-life-of-sikh-activist-bhai-?recruiter=203378316&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive