Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Union Minister Shekhwat assures release of Sikh prisoners to Sikh bodies
Sikh bodies meets Union Minister Shekhawat, demand release of Sikh prisoners
Babushahi Bureau
Phagwara, February 9, 2022: A Sikh delegation met Union Minister and Punjab BJP's election in-charge, Gajendra Shekhawat in Phagwara on Wednesday, demanding the release of Sikh political prisoners lodged in different jails.
BJP's candidate from Phagwara, Vijay Sampla was also present during the ocassion.
"On the ocassion of the 550th birth anniversary of Sikh Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 2019, the Narendra Modi-led government has announced to commute the death sentence to life imprisonment and in the remaining eight cases for premature release of Sikh political prisoners serving life sentences and other sentences through special remission. Many are still lodged in jail even after completing the period of imprisonment. We have given all documents to Gajendra Shekhawat Ji and urged him to fulfill the promise made by the center," said the representative of the Sikh body.
After meeting with the delegation, Gajender Shekhawat said that he had talked to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the release of the captive Sikhs and action would be taken to meet the demand for their release as soon as possible.
Here is the letter of Sikh bodies wrote to PM Narendra Modi through Gajendra Shekhawat:
To
Sh. Narendra Damodardas Modi
Prime Minister of India
New Delhi.
Through: Sh. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Cabinet Minister in Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India & In-charge of BJP for Punjab Assembly polls 2022.
Subject: Seeking Implementation of letter dated 11-10-2019 issued on the eve of 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji by Union Government of India for release of Eight (8) Sikh prisoners and commutation of Death sentence to life imprisonment of one (1) Sikh convict.
Respected Sir,
Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh
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That we the undersigned stand for the rights of the people and always stood in the service of humanity as preached by Our Gurus under the sacred blessings of Nanak Naam Chardi Kala Tere Bhanay Sarbat Da bhala and the teachings of Guru Nanak Sahib are equal to every human for the welfare of all Humanity
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That on the eve of 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji Union Government of India issued letter dated 11-10-2019 for release of Eight (8) Sikh prisoners and commutation of Death sentence to life imprisonment of one (1) Sikh convict. (Copy Attached herewith as ANNEXURE-I)
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That as per letter only three (3) Sikh Prisoners Namely Lal Singh, Nand Singh and Subeg Singh have been released but till date. Devinderpal Singh Bhullar, and Gurdeep Singh Kherra are still languishing in jail and Death sentence of Balwant Singh Rajoana hasn’t been commuted to life imprisonment.
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That it is necessary to mention here that at the time of issuance of said letter by Home Ministry, out of eight, three (3) prisoners were already released from Prison, i.e. Balbir Singh, Waryam Singh and Harjinder Singh @ Kali.
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That we bring to your notice that three convicts namely Lakhwinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh and Shamsher Singh who have served more than 25 years in prison and are eligible for premature release, should be considered for immediate release. (Details of three (3) Sikh Prisoners attached herewith as ANNEXURE-II)
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That the issue of release of Sikh political prisoners is not new. From time to time, the community has been taking up this issue with successive governments of India including the one under your leadership but could not found favourable response from any government.
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That we must share with you that this issue is very dear to the hearts of Sikhs and there is a strong feeling among the community that the government is biased towards the Sikh prisoners and that laws and norms in the country are unequal.
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Hence, we urge you to take the final call in the matter and redress the prisoner’s issue. We hope you will take the sentiments of the community in consideration and implement the letter dated 11-10-2019 issued on the eve of 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji by Your Government for release of Eight (8) Sikh prisoners and commutation of Death sentence to life imprisonment of one (1) Sikh convict Balwant Singh Rajoana, in the interest of justice.
Submitted on behalf of
(Coordination Committee for Release of Political Prisoners)
Bapu Hardeep Singh Dibdiba
Bhai Harjinder Singh Majhi
S. Amarjit Singh Sandhu
S. Gurpal Singh
S. Sukhdev Singh Phagwara
Bhai Manjeet Singh
Advo. Jaspal Singh Manjhpur
Bapu Gurcharan Singh