LUDHIANA, Punjab—On call of old aged Sikh activist Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa, a large scale Panthik conference was organized in the Gurdwara Sahib of his village Hassanpur in Ludhiana. The conference was attended by huge number of Sikh Sangat and activists of various Sikh political, religious and social organizations.
Bhog of Akhand Path Sahib was held on the morning. Following which, the conference was organized in wake of hunger strike of Bapu Jee for permanent release of Sikh political prisoners languishing in various jails of India despite completion of their terms.
The conference was addressed by Damdami Taksal (Ajnala) chief Bhai Amrik Singh Ajnala, Sikh scholar Gurtej Singh IAS, Akali Dal (Panch Pardhani) president Bhai Kulbir Singh Barapind, general secretary Bhai Harpal Singh Cheema, Akali Dal Delhi president Parmjit Singh Sarna, United Akali Dal (UAD) president Bhai Mohkam Singh, Gurdeep Singh Bathinda, Daily Pehredar editor Jaspal Singh Heran, Shaheed Bhai Rashpal Singh PA’s wife Bibi Pritam Kaur, Gurbhej Singh, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) senior vice president Bhai Dhian Singh Mand, secretary general Prof Mohinderpal Singh, Akali Dal (1920) general secretary Parmjit Singh Sahauli, Bhai Sukhwinder Singh Satkar Committee Haryana, Bhai Surinder Singh Thikriwal, Akhand Kirtani Jatha leader Bhai RP Singh, Bhai Jang Singh, Baba Ajit Singh Damdami Taksal (Gurdwara Bunga Sahib Kartarpur), Dal Khalsa’s representatives etc.
Lashing out at the Badal family, Bhai Ajnala said that the family controls all political, social, religious and economic fields in Punjab. Extending solidarity to the cause of Bapu jee, almost all the speakers emphasized on Panthik unity terming it as need of hour. Lastly, vote of thanks was presented by Baba Baljit Singh Daduwal.
On sideline of the conference, Sikh coordination committee for release of Sikh Political prisoners held a meeting led by convener Gurdeep Singh Bathinda. During which representatives of various Sikh bodies resolved to launch programme of sending Sikh Jathas for courting arrests from May 15 onward on daily basis to strengthen the struggle initiated by Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa and pressurize the government on the long pending issue. The programme was announced on stage and supported by Sikh Sangat. Various Sikhs personally offered themselves for arrests. As per the programme, on first day, 11-member Jatha of heads of various Panthik organizations will court arrests.
On the occasion, Bapu Surat Singh’s daughter Bibi Sarvarinder Kaur read a written message by Bapu Jee wherein he also mentioned the goal of self-determination by the Sikhs.
Other personalities who attended the function included representatives of Orbit Bus incident action committee Moga, sister of Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara, wife and sister of Bhai Daya Singh Lahoria, Bhai Kulwinderjit Singh Khanpur, Bhai Jaswinder Singh Kapurthala, Bhai Papalpreet Singh from Sikh Youth Front (SYF) etc.
Talking to Sikh24, Papalpreet Singh said that Bapu Jee was seen very weak as he was even facing difficulty in sharing ‘Fateh’ with Singhs. Some young Sikhs brought Bapu Jee to the venue of the conference as he was not able to walk without support due to continuous fast.
why is there no video coverage or at least information on what was discussed