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

LONDON, UK—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.”