AMRITSAR: The Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, would soon meet Living Martyr Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana. In connection with this proposed meeting, the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib has sent a letter to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), instructing it to correspond with the jail authorities to arrange the visit.
In a statement issued from the Secretariat office, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said that Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana has been imprisoned for nearly three decades and has remained under death row for a long time, which is a serious violation of human rights. He stated that the Central Government should promptly implement its 2019 notification issued during the 550th Parkash Gurpurb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev, commuting Bhai Rajoana’s death sentence into life imprisonment.
The Jathedar added that since Bhai Rajoana has already spent more than double the duration of a life term in jail, the government should respect Sikh sentiments and release him accordingly.
Jathedar Gargajj further said that the government should also release those Bandi Singhs (Sikh political prisoners) who have already served sentences longer than those awarded to them, in view of the upcoming 350th Shaheedi Saka (martyrdom anniversary) of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadar.
He also asked the Central and State Governments to adopt a just and humanitarian approach by granting temporary parole to Bandi Singh Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara so that he may meet his elderly mother, Bibi Narinder Kaur Ji.