March 2012 Archive

Punjab Bandh: Total shutdown in Punjab against proposed execution of Bhai Rajoana

Jalandhar, Punjab (March 28, 2012): As per reports from across the Punjab a day-long bandh (shut-down) called by Joint Committee formed by various Sikh Organizations to protest the proposed execution of Sikh political prisoner Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, convicted in the Punjab CM Beant Singh assassination case, has normal life in Punjab to stand still.

Halt execution of Balwant Singh Rajoana: Human Rights Watch

New York (March 28, 2012): The Indian government should halt the hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana, who has been on death row since August 2007 for the assassination of Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, Human Rights Watch said today. On March 27, 2012, a court in Chandigarh, Punjab refused a request for a stay of execution and ordered that the hanging proceed on March 31.

Punjab bandh: impact of shutdown call visible since early hours

Patiala, Punjab (March 28, 2012): Punjab bandh called by Sikh organisations to protest against proposed hanging of Sikh political prisoner Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana is visible in terms of it's impact on routine life in Punjab since early hours. On March 27 at around 5pm when the news spread that Chandigarh court has again ordered the hanging of Bhai Rajoana on March 31, 2012 the markets in Amritsar, Patiala and other cities begun to shut down.

Jail superintendent refuses death warrants of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana again

Chandigarh/Patiala, Punjab (March 28, 2012): The superintendent of Central Jail, Patiala, again refused to accept the death warrants of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana on March 27. In a release issued by the Punjab government, the superintendent has pleaded the additional sessions judge Chandigarh that he “unable and disabled in law” to accept warrants of death against Balwant Singh Rajoana and refused to accept the same. He told the court that he was approaching the higher court for appropriate next step in the case.

LFHRI seeks stay from Supreme Court of India on hanging of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana; likely to be heard on Friday

New Delhi, India (March 27, 2011): Lawyers for Human Rights International (LFHRI) today moved the Supreme Court of India seeking stay on the execution of death sentence of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana who was convicted for the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. The petition is likely to be listed for hearing on Friday, a media report adds.

Court reorders hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana on 31 March; Jail superintendent charged with contempt

Chandigarh, Punjab (March 27, 2012): Chandigarh Additional District and Sessions Judge Shalini Nagpal on Tuesday ordered the hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana, the assassin of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, on March 31, and also issued contempt of court notices to the jail superintendent and other jail officials of the Patiala jail for forwarding Rajoana's death warrant to her court, saying the jail could not carry out Rajoana's execution because the case was weak legally.

Bhai Rajoana’s hanging: Punjab bandh on 28 March

Ludhiana, Punjab (March 27, 2012): Punjab is scheduled to shut down on 28 Marcus to raise people's voice against hanging of Sikh political prisoner Bhai Bawant Singh Rajoana. The hanging is scheduled to take place on March 31. Joint committee formed by various Sikh organisations has given the Punjab bandh call.

Punjab gripped with heavy force deployment; flag marches held across the state ahead of Rajoana’s hanging

Patiala/Chandigarh, Punjab (March 27, 2012): As per media reports around 9,000 Punjab Armed Police (PAP) personnel and 15 paramilitary companies have been deployed in various parts of the state. It is notable that last few days have seen massive protests across the state in Balwant Singh Rajoana’s support. Indian authorities have decided to hang Balwant Singh on 31 March,2012.

I will meet Indian PM and President for Balwant Singh Rajoana: CM Badal to state assembly

Chandigarh, Punjab (March 24, 2012): As per information available with Sikh Siyasat, Parkash Singh Badal, the chief minister of Punjab, today made a statement on the issue death sentence to Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana in state assembly in Chandigarh. He assured that he would meet the Indian President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to seek "clemency" for the Bhai Rajoana.

Rajoana hanging issue: Sikh bodies call masses to support peaceful shut down on 28 March

Amritsar, Punjab (March 26, 2012): Indian media is up in arms to create confusion among masses by publishing misleading reports about Punjab shut down call. Various prominent Indian newspapers are trying to mislead masses by wrongfully reporting that Joint Committee formed by various Panthic organizations has rejected the program announced Akal Takhat Sahib and March 28 Punjab bandh call is not supported by Akal Takhat Sahib.

Canadian Sikh MPP oppose death penalty to Balwant Singh Rajoana; UK Sikh body welcomes statement

Ontario, Canada (March 26, 2012): Following the announcement in India to hang Balwant Singh Rajoana on 31 March 2012 few western politicians have issued statements condemning the death penalty in India.

We can’t hang Balwant Singh Rajoana at this stage: Jail authorities reconfirm; death warrants returned again

Patiala/Chandigarh, Punjab (March 25, 2012): As per information available with "Sikh Siyasat" the Central Jail, Patiala authorities have again returned the "death or black warrants" of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana to the Chandigarh court. The authorities have sent an eleven pages letter to the court, claiming that it would be illegal to hang Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana at this stage. Authorities have referred to various decisions by Supreme Court of India that if an appeal filed by a co-convict is pending before any appellant court the death sentence of a convict should not be executed, because the appellant court has the powers to reduce the sentence of all the conflicts, whether appealing or not.

Sikh diaspora protests globally against proposed execution of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana

Ludhiana, Punjab (March 24, 2012): As per information shared on Facebook Group "The Global Movement for Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana" acknowledges the Sikh Organizations in California, Gurdwara Committee’s, and Sangat that came together in unprecedented numbers to protest the death sentence of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana.

Akal Takhat’s message and directive on Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana (23 March, 2012)

Amritsar, Punjab (March 24, 2012): Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, received the suggestions of various Sikh bodies on execution of death sentence ordered for Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana by Indian courts. Five Singh Sahibs, Jathedars of five Sikh Takhats, discussed the suggestions and issued directions and message accordingly for the Sikh masses and leadership. Sikh Siyasat has copies of the message/directive issued by Akal Takhat Jathedar on March 23, 2012. This documents is in Punjab and can be read here, as follows:

AISSF (Peer Mohammad) extends support to call for hosting “Kesri” flags

Moga, Punjab (March 23, 2012): Supporting the call given to Sikhs by Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana of hoisting the Kesari flags All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF - Peer Mohammad) urged the Sikh community throughout India to hoist Kesari flags atop houses, businesses and educational institutions. To show solidarity with Bhai Rajoana’s call for hoisting Kesari flags, AISSF - Peer Mohammad also urged the Sikh youth to hold conferences, and debates on the issue of discrimination meted out to Sikhs in India based on their religion.

Worldwide Sikh Diaspora approach UN Human Rights Commission regarding proposed hanging of Sikh political prisioner in India

London, England (March 23, 2012): As per information available with "Sikh Siyasat" a delegation of Sikhs from a number of countries will later this morning meet with UN officials in Geneva and make a submission to the UN Human Rights Council. The submission will request the UN to take action against India to end the death penalty.

Bhai Dilawar Singh National martyr and Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana Living martyr: Akal Takhat; Sikh bodies declare extensive protest plan

Sri Amritsar, Punjab (March 23, 2012): Sri Akal Takhat Sahib today declared Bhai Dilawar Singh as "National Martyr of the Sikh Nation", and Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana is awarded the title of "living martyr of the Sikh Nation". Five Jathedars have directed Punjab Chief Minister and Badal Dal Patron Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Singh Badal (President of Badal Dal) and Avtar Singh Makkar President of Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee to meet President of India and seek release of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana and convey sentiments of the Sikh nation to the Indian state.

With the imminent hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana; Worldwide Sikh community vow to bring an end to the death penaalty in India

London, England (March 23, 2012): In a communication sent to Sikh Siyasat by Sikh Federation UK (dated: 19 March, 2012) it is said that: "More than two-thirds of countries in the world have now abolished the death penalty in law or practice. However, India, the world’s so-called largest democracy is preparing to break its moratorium on the death penalty by hanging Balwant Singh on 31 March 2012 at 9am in Central Jail, Patiala."

PIL seeking stay on execution of death penalty to Sikh prisoner Balwant Singh Rajoana dismissed

Chandigarh, Punjab (March 22, 2012): As per media reports the Punjab and Haryana High Court today dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking directions for stay on the operation of an order passed by Chandigarh additional sessions judge on March 5, 2012, for the execution of Balwant Singh Rajoana in Beant Singh assassination case on March 31.  The High Court is reported to have dismissed the petition on technical ground. The court said the petitioner had no 'locus standi' in the case.

PIL seeks stay on execution of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana

Chandigarh, Punjab (March 21, 2012): The “Lawyers for Human Rights International” (LFHRI) has moved the High Court through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking stay on the execution of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana. As per information sent to "Sikh Siyasat" by Advocate Navkiran Singh it is argued in the court that the judgement confirming the death sentence of Balwant Singh was still under appeal before the Supreme Court of India.

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