KOTAKAPURA/AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab: Upping the ante against Punjab and Haryana High Court verdict on SIT report related to Kotkapura firing incident, the Sikhs rising above the politics burnt copies of the verdict at Kotakapura chowk where the firing injured Sikhs demonstrating to seek action against the culprits of Guru Granth Sahib’s sacrilege in 2015, and Amritsar city.
Led by former Akal Takht Sahib jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh, the Sikhs gathered at the chowk to protest against the verdict that quashed the probe conducted by the SIT led by former IG Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh burying hope for justice in this case. Apart from common Sikhs, Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Lehargaga MLA Parminder Singh Dhindsa, AAP MLAs Pirmal Singh Khalsa and Kultar Singh Sandhwan also participated in the protest.
Meanwhile, on the call of Bhai Ranjit Singh, members of the Sikh Youth gathered at Canal Chowk near Dal Khalsa office and raised slogans denouncing the judgement. They were carrying placards to convey the message that: Judiciary is biased and Government is inefficient and non-serious to deliver justice to Sikhs in sacrilege related cases.
Youth leader Mand said by burning the copies here today, “We have registered our protest and anger against the flawed judgement, which is totally unacceptable to Sikh people. The Sikhs are perturbed over the denial of justice to them repeatedly. Since the 80’s, the India’s justice system has been unfair to Sikhs”.
He said, “It’s on the pattern of agitating farmers burning three contentious farm laws in Punjab and elsewhere in India. It’s a democratic form of protest as this judgement has dashed all hopes of justice in aggrieved family and community”.
On Punjab Govt resolution to constitute new SIT, Mand said, “We don’t expect any justice from present Punjab government as the HC verdict has reflected its utter failure to protect the SIT report in the court”. He demanded the sacking of Advocate General Atul Nanda.
Representing students from Lincoln University in Nebraska, USA, Arshdeep Singh said in a message that if the courts continue to behave in this way, Sikhs will be forced to adopt a self-just attitude instead of relying on others.
Dal Khalsa General Secretary Paramjit Singh Tanda said the judgement reflects that the Badal family have even managed the judiciary to get the clean chit for them. He said Badal’s were playing into the hands of the establishment to enjoy power, perks and privileges.
Raising the pitch against the justice system, Dal Khalsa leader said denial of Justice in sacrilege related cases will take the state back to 80’s when the people of Punjab were compelled to do justice on their own”.
