Ludhaina, Punjab: An elderly Sikh activist, Surat Singh Khalsa (83), is on hunger strike since January 16 seeking permanent release of Sikh political prisoners. As his hunger strike entered crossed 31st day on February 14, various Sikh bodies gathered in Ludhiana to extend him support. Representatives of various Sikh organizations declared to hold a protest demonstration from Civil Hospital Ludhiana to the office of Deputy commissioner of Ludhaina. Sikh bodies also declared to hand over a memorandum to Punjab governor on February 18.
Sikh representatives criticized Punjab government for pressurizing Bapu Surat Singh and his family members. “Instead of pressurizing Baba Surat Singh and his family members, the Punjab Government should make efforts to secure release of Sikh political prisoners”, they said.
It is notable that Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa recently wrote a letter to Indian prime minster Narendra Modi.
“To fulfill the unfinished work of Bhai Gurbaksh Singh seeking the release of political prisoners, I am committed to follow in totality the true Sikh tradition of making a commitment and sticking to it, very ably demonstrated by Bhai Darshan Singh Pheruman in the early sixties of the last century. I have decided to redo “the act of martyrdom”, for if I do not do so, the faith of the Sikhs in God and history will be shaken, for if I do not do so, the Indian state will never take the Sikhs seriously and I will never be able to give a satisfactory reply to my conscience”, said Surat Singh Khalsa in his letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.