Sikhs Demand Answers From David Cameron on Treatment Of Sikh Political Prisoners In India

:dateline:Sikhs from across the UK took�part in a protest in the Parliament Square�to seek answers from UK Government regarding treatment of Sikh political prisoners in India. �The protest was called last minute as a Sikh human rights activist, Bapu Surat Singh, has been on hunger strike for more than 6 months. �A number of prominent Sikh personalities, including Bapu Surat Singh supported it. �Bhai Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale, a noted Sikh preacher also appealed to Sikhs living in the UK to take part in the protest.

�

Sikhs demanded answers about what the UK Government has done in the last few months to�raise concerns about the plight of Sikh political prisoners in Indian jails. � Sikh Federation UK, a group that played an eminent role in organizing the protest, stated, “Some of them have been in prison for decades�and most are in the sixties and seventies and should be released given their�impeccable behaviour and on humanitarian grounds.”

�

The protest was held in solidarity with Bapu Surat Singh, a 82 year old Sikh activist who is a US�resident is on hunger strike in India. �His hunger strike has concluded 180 days. �His�son a US citizen was detained by police for two months and tortured when he�went to see his father in hospital.� The�Sikh Federation (UK) wrote to the US Ambassador in London on 11 May requesting�US Government intervention and there has been some movement.

�

Sikh Federation UK stated, “The plight of Sikh political prisoners�is an emotive one for British Sikhs and Sikhs across the globe.� The likely death of Bapu Surat Singh will�create further agony and could result in serious unrest as the police in India�are likely to use heavy handed techniques that will result in further loss of�life.”