Chandigarh: A number of Sikh organisations, including Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar (Mann), United Akali Dal (UAD), Akali Dal Panch Pardhani (ADPP), Dal Khalsa, Damdami Taksal (Ajnala) and Akhand Kirtani Jatha (AKJ) have supported the ongoing fast unto death of Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa.
These organisations passed a number of resolutions in support of the struggle of Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa and sought action against the police officials, who kept Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa’s son Ravinder Pal Singh in illegal custody and beat him up. Sikh bodies resolved to hold a Panthic Conference at Village Hassanpur (Bapu Surat Singh’s native village) on May 10.
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.
It is notable that Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa is on fast from January 16. Police kept him on force-feeding through his nose for about two months at the Civil Hospital in Ludhiana. He was released by the police on April 24 after his family members met President of India.
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. But despite despite declarations and show of determination by Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa the struggle for release of Sikh political prisoners has not gained momentum.