Badal asks Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa to end his hunger strike; “We have done what we could do”: Badal

Ludhiana, Punjab (December 22, 2013): According to certain media reports the Punjab Chief minister Parkash Singh Badal appealed to Bhai Gurbakash Singh Khalsa to end his hunger strike. It is notable that Bhai Gurbaksh Singh has been on continuous hunger strike protest since November 14, 2013 demanding the release of 6 Sikh political prisoners who have completed their sentences.

Badal has said that state government had “tried its best” in this regard.

“Whatever the Punjab government could do, we have done it. Since no terrorist is in Punjab jail and they were not even arrested here, we are helpless in the matter,” Hindustan Times (HT) has quoted Parkash Singh Badal as saying on the sidelines of a function organised by the Punjab chapter of the Indian Medical Association.

The chief minister said he had spoken to the Uttar Pradesh chief minister in connection with one of the concerned Sikh prisoner (Bhai Wariam Singh) lodged in a jail (Bans Bareli Jail) there.

According to HT, Parkash Singh Badal said: “After I apprised him that the family of late Beant Singh was also in favour of releasing those involved, the UP chief minister acknowledged my concern. On Sunday morning, I was informed that the chief minister had forwarded my request to the governor. I also called up my Karnataka counterpart”.

Badal reprotedly added that “this was the best his government could do”.

Accordign to HT the chief minister said he had also raised the issue with the Gujarat chief minister for the release of one such prisoner (Bhai Lal Singh), who was convicted by a Gujrat court.

Badal was all praise for Beant Singh’s family who, he said, were in favour of releasing those involved in the killing.

“I have also spoken to the BJP leaders and talked about maintaining peace in the state. They agreed. I appeal to Congress leaders not to play politics over the issue”, Badal reportedly said.

It is notable that Bhai Gurbaksh Singh is on continuous hunger strike for last 39 days at Gurdwara Amb Sahib (Mohali) seeking release of Bhai Gurmeet Singh, Lakhwinder Singh and Shamsher Singh (all in Burrail Jail since 1995), Bhai Wariam Singh (in Jail since 1990, currently lodged at Bans Bareli Jail), Bhai Gurdeep Singh Khaira (in Jail since 1990, currently in Gulbarga Central Jail, Karnatka) and Bhai Lal Singh (in Jail since 1992, currently in Nabha Jail – released on parole on 20 December by Punjab government).

It is further notable that these individuals have completed the minimum mandatory terms of their sentences.

Bhai Gurbaksh Singh has time and again declared that he shall not end his fast unless all these Sikh prisoners are released from jail.