Ambala, Haryana: Gurbaksh Singh Khasla’s hunger strike entered 16th day today. He is on indefinite and continuous hunger strike since November 14 seeking permanent release of seven Sikh political prisoners who have already (over)served the terms of their sentences.
As Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) is planning to part it’s ways from it’s Punjab ally Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), the saffron party is showing increased interest on Sikh issues. Political analysts opine that the BJP is unlikely to have any genuine interest in Sikh issues, including the issue Sikh Political prisoners. Hindutva party’s calculated gesture on Sikh issues is an attempt to increase complexities for Badals.
BJP’s ‘Kisan Morcha’ president Sukhminder Grewal yesterday (Nov. 28) met Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa on fifteenth day of his hunger strike.
Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) have maintained ‘total silence’ over Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa’s hunger strike. Prem Singh Chandumajra is only leader of Badal Dal who raised the issue and demanded release of concerned Sikh political prisoners. It must be noted there that Prem Singh Chadumajra is said to be in proximity of Bhartiya Janta Party ever since the bitterness started in Badal Dal-BJP relations.
Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa on hunger strike since November 14, 2014
Lakhnaur Sahib Mocha organizers and supports of Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa say that the morcha has started to gain support from the Sikh masses. “Sikh Sangat from Punjab and Haryana are visiting Gurdwara Lakhnaur Sahib to extend their support. Many political parties, farmers’ bodies and Sikh diaspora organizations have also extended their support for the cause of Sikh political prisoners” said a morcha representative.
“Sikh youth today took out a motorcycle march from Gurdwara Lakhnaur Sahib to Darbar Sahib in Amritsar to raise awareness among the masses” he added.
Notably Gurbaksh Singh had observed 44 days long hunger strike during November-December 2013. He was then seeking permanent release of 6 Sikh prisoners namely Bhai Gurmit Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Shamsher Singh, Lal Singh, Wariam Singh and Gurdip Singh Khaira.
But he had ended it after four of the concerned Sikh prisoners namely Gurmit Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Shamsher Singh and Lal Singh were released on temporary parole.
Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa claims that he had ended his hunger strike last year at the directions of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh who had also assured him that he (Jathedar) would secure release of concerned Sikh political prisoners.
While accusing Giani Gurbachan Singh (Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib) of breaking his promise to secure release of Sikh political prisoners, Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa alleged that he was not provided space by SGPC or any other institute in Punjab to begin his hunger strike.