Mohali, August 29:- As per the decision taken in the meeting of the In-house Committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee for the release of Bandi Singhs and Chardi Kala, Sri Akhand Path Sahib was started at Gurdwara Sri Amb Sahib, Patshahi Satvi, Mohali, of which Bhog was celebrated at 10 am today. After this, Gurbani Kirtan and Ardas were performed.
On this occasion, Halqa In-charge and District President of Shiromani Akali Dal Mohali, Parvinder Singh Sohana said that many Sikh prisoners known as Bandi Singhs in various jails of the country have been languishing in jails for a long time despite completing their sentences. He said that when a prisoner completes his sentence according to the law, keeping him in jail for a long time only on the basis of his religious or political identity raises serious questions.
Sohana said that many Bandi Singhs have been in jails for 20, 25 and 30 years and in some cases even after serving more than life imprisonment, their release is being delayed. The SGPC has also earlier taken up the matter with the governments and the President. According to the SGPC, a signature campaign of 2.6 million people was launched to demand the release of 9 Bandi Singhs who had completed their sentences.
He said that on the one hand, many people serving sentences for serious crimes get parole repeatedly, while on the other hand, Bandi Singhs have been struggling for years for release and sometimes even for parole. This double standard needs to be ended. In the case of Bandi Singhs too, there should be a fair decision according to the principles of law and human rights. Similar double standards have also been raised recently by Sikh leaders.
Bibi Paramjit Kaur Ladran, member SGPC, said that the central government should take immediate appropriate steps in this matter, fulfilling its responsibility. She said that the issue of release of the imprisoned Sikhs is not just a matter of any family or individual, but is a matter of justice and human rights that has been going on for a long time. Instead of delaying this issue further, the governments should take a decision soon under the constitutional and legal process.
She said that respecting the sentiments of the Sikh community, the central and state governments should work together to pave the way for the release of the imprisoned Sikhs.
On this occasion, Bibi Manjit Singh Mann, Pritam Singh, Karamjit Singh Babra, Surjit Singh Matharu, Kesar Singh Balongi, Paramjit Singh MC, Satbir Singh, Sarabjit Singh Paras, Manmohan Singh Kahlon, Inderjit Singh, Harjinder Singh, Gursarandeep Singh along with a large number of Sangat and other dignitaries were present.
It is noteworthy that the Shiromani Committee had started Sri Akhand Path Sahib in the historic Gurdwaras from August 27, the Bhog of which was performed on August 29. The Shiromani Committee has also appealed to the governments to fulfill their responsibility regarding the release of the imprisoned Sikhs.