LUDHIANA, Punjab—Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa’s fast unto death for seeking release of political Sikh prisoners has concluded 138 days. Punjab Government has tried to tarnish Bapu Ji’s struggle for the release of political Sikh prisoners who have fulfilled their mandatory terms of life imprisonment. Bapu Surat Singh has been arrested twice already – he was first arrested in February by the Punjab Government under charges of sections 107/151 of Code of Criminal Procedures (Cr.P.C). Again, he was picked up and detained recently on June 2.
It is important to mention that the Police brutally tortured Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa as they force feed him in hospital under leadership of ADCP Mukhwinder ‘Singh’ Bhullar. Punjab Government also arrested his prominent supporters with intention to suppress the growing voice of the Sikh Nation. But with the interference of President of India, Punjab government was compelled to drop all the false charges leveled against Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa and his US citizen son Ravinder Jeet Singh Gogi.
With the release of Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa in late April, his supporters started to arrive in Hassanpur in great numbers, lamenting the callous approach of the Punjab government on the matter. Youth members of the Sangharsh Committee motivated other youth to commence awareness of the struggle and lead vangaar marches in favor of Bapu Ji’s struggle.
Growing Support for Bapu Surat Singh Forces Punjab Government To The Negotiation Table
Massive response by the Sikhs across Punjab compelled the Chief Minister of Punjab to negotiate on the table with the Sikh delegation. Chief Minister Parkash ‘Singh’ Badal held a meeting at his residence in Chandigarh with prominent Sikhs to discuss the release of political prisoners.
In the meeting, Chief Minister Badal assured the Sikh delegation that the Punjab Government will seriously deliberate on removing legal and constitutional hurdles for the bail, parole or release of Sikh political prisoners as per norms. He immediately appointed an eight member committee to find out legal ways to meet the demand of Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa.
Badal’s Plan To Release Sikh Prisoners Or Disrupt the Movement?
As per negotiation with Sikh delegation, he nominated his four members Principal Secretary A.S. Sandhu, Additional Home Secretary Jagpal Singh Sandhu, A.D.G.P (Intelligence) Hardeep Singh Dhillon and A.D.G.P. (Prisons) Rampal Meena on spot. As per Gurdeep Singh Bathinda, the convener of the Sangharsh Committee, four names were to be nominated by the committee itself to negotiate with the government. Five days later, the Sangharsh Committee is yet to nominate the names of four members for the committee – despite the fact that Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa has been re-arrested.
Delay by Sangharsh Committee in this regard has reflected the reach of Parkash Badal in creating division within the Sangarsh Committee. Declining health of Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa suggest that he might pass away soon.
Overall it can be said that Chief Minister Badal has prepared ground in his defense despite of his internal disagreement with Bapu Ji’s struggle. In case Bapu Ji passes away, Punjab Government will openly blame the Sangharsh Committee that it did not nominate the names of members from its side to find out legal ways to secure release of political Sikh prisoners by time.
