AMRITSAR SAHIB—SGPC President Avtar Makkar has termed the Supreme Court decision as an “incomplete verdict”. He said that SGPC is committed for the release of political Sikh prisoners and will make efforts for their permanent paroles. It may be recalled that in a recent decision while restoring the constitutional powers of remitting convicts to states, Supreme Court of India restricted the states to exercise these powers in case of convicts related to TADA court or the cases investigated by central agencies like CBI.
However, contrary to what is being claimed by the Punjab Government, the states have powers to release even TADA convicts by issuing permanent parole on their own. As per legal experts, states can file application on individual bases seeking relief for prisoners.
Makkar has appealed to families of political Sikh prisoners to contact the SGPC for support. He said that SGPC will provide every type of assistance to the political Sikh prisoners.
Breaking silence about Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa’s struggle, Makkar said that his demands are genuine and the political Sikh prisoners need to be released soon.
Appointed Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh had recently also extended support to Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa’s struggle. He said that the life convicts who have served mandatory terms of their sentences should be released by the government.
Similar to Makkar and Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar, other Akalis have taken a softer stance on Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa following protests by Sikh diaspora.
