Week 35: Statewide Protests Held in Support of Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa

TARN TARAN, Punjab—Various Sikh outfits today staged protests outside district headquarters in their respective districts across Punjab.  The call to hold statewide protests was given by the Bandi Singh Rihai Sangharsh Committee constituted to spearhead the struggle of Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa.

Prominent Sikh organizations came together to hold protests throughout Punjab.  In Tarn Taran, namely, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), United Akali Dal and Sikh Youth Federation Bhindranwala jointly staged a protest where Sikh activists went on a hunger protest from 9 am to 4 pm.  The hunger protest attracted large gathering throughout the day.

Protesting Sikh activists stated that if Bapu Surat Singh Ji Khalsa achieves martyrdom while struggling for the release of political Sikh prisoners then Akali-BJP alliance will be held responsible.

Jathedar Satnam Singh Manawa (General Secretary, United Akali Dal), Bhai Sikandar Singh Warana (District President, Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar), Bhai Balwant Singh Gopala(President, Sikh Youth Federation Bhindranwala), Bhai Ranjit Singh Damdami Taksal (Senior Vice President, SYFB), Bhai Major Singh Kang and were present along with dozens of protesting activists.

Similarly, a protest was also observed by the core committee of Bandi Singhs Rihai Sangharsh Committee in Bathinda. Committee’s Convener Bhai Gurdeep Singh Bathinda, Baba Hardeep Singh Mehraj, Baba Chamkaur Singh Bhai Roopa, Baba Sukhdev Singh Joga Nand, Bhai Parminder Singh Balianwali, Bhai Sarinder Singh Nathana, Bhai Baljit Singh Ganga Bhai Ramandeep Singh, Master Balwant Singh and joined protest in front of Deputy commissioner office along with other activists.

Bhai Gurdeep Singh Bathinda stated that the British Government gave in to Gandhi’s 60 day fast, however the Indian Government has so far shown no interest towards the demands of the Sikhs.  While Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa’s hunger protest has completed 35 weeks, he was remained steadfast towards his demands.  Bapu Surat Singh’s health has remained critical.