New Delhi: Various Sikh organizations have announced to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on March 3, 2015 in support of Bapu Surat Singh’s struggle. Sikh organizations held a meeting at Chandigarh on February 24 and decided to hold a protest in Delhi to highlight the issue raised by Bapu Surat Singh, who has been on hunger strike since January 16, 2015.
The Sikh bodies also declared to meet Indian President Pranab Mukharjee on March 3 to raise the issue of permanent release of Sikh political prisoners. The meeting was attended, among other, by Gurdip Singh Bathinda (United Akali Dal), Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, Advocate Navkiran Singh, Advocate Rajwinder Singh, Dr. Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon, Jaswant Singh Mann, Kanwar Pal Singh Bittu, Jasbir Singh Khandur, Wassan Singh Zafarwal, Journalist Karamjeet Singh, Gurnam Singh Chandigarh, Jaswinder SIngh Brar, Kumikkar Singh, Dr. Bhagwan Singh and Balwant Singh Gopala.
Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa’s hunger strike continues
It may be recalled that Bapu Surat Singh (82) is on continuous hunger strike since January 16. He is demanding release of Sikh political prisoners who have already completed minimum mandatory terms of their sentences. Earlier another Sikh activist Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa had twice started “fast unto death” seeking release of these prisoners, but he ended his fast at one pretext or the other.
Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa says that he is determined to end his life if the government fails to respond to his call. “I am determined that I will not end my hunger-strike in any case unless the government releases the concerned Sikh political prisoners. It’s not only an issue of release of Sikh political prisoners, it’s also an issue of sanctity of Ardas of a Sikh”, Bapu Surat Singh has repeatedly declared.
Meanwhile, there are reports that the police is pressing Bapu Surat Singh to end his hunger strike. His family members have also alleged police pressure to convince Bapu Surat Singh to end his fast.