LUDHIANA, Punjab—To build pressure on the Punjab Government to show interest towards the demands of Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa, the following three programs have been announced by the Sangarsh committee. Panthik leaders are expected to meet later today, July 8, to discuss the final course of action for these programs.
July 10 – Complete Ludhiana shutdown – all public businesses to remain closed
July 14 – Raikot to Hassanpur march by all Panthik organizations
July 19 – Human rights for minorities conference in Chandigarh
Speaking with Sikh24, S. Gurdeep Singh (Bathinda), who is the convener of the Sangharsh committee, announced that Bapu Surat Singh will stop the intake of water if latter was ever picked up again by the Punjab Police. There were rumors that the Punjab Government was planning yet another attempt to arrest Bapu Surat Singh before the July 6 conference.
While Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa’s hunger strike has entered its 174th day, there has been delay by the Punjab Government to come to an agreement with his demands. Bapu Surat Singh once again reiterated that his struggle is for human rights of all, irrespective of their caste and creed. He has called for the release of all people of Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Sikh and other faiths who have completed their terms.
Meanwhile, in a sangat darshan program at a village in Jandiala Guru area, Chief Minister Parkash Badal had to answer questions relating to Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa and transfer of Sikh detainees to Punjab. He justified the transfers of Prof. Davinderpal Singh Bhullar and Bhai Gurdeep Singh Khera to Punjab. The Chief Minister said that these transfers were made on humanitarian grounds.
Badal also stated that even Rashtriya Sikh Sangat had sought the transfer and release of Sikh detainees.
In a question about the release of Sikh detainees, Badal answered diplomatically by saying that we have not released any prisoner, we just transferred them to Punjab. He refused to comment on Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa’s hunger strike.
It is notable that under pressure of Bapu Surat Singh’s fast unto death, the Punjab Government had to recommend the transfer of Prof. Bhullar from Delhi and Bhai Gurdeep Singh Khera from Karnataka. Both of them were transferred to Punjab during last month.
