Ludhiana, Punjab: Coming down heavily against Punjab government for adopting oppressive tactics against Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa’s hunger strike, various Sikh organisations called upon the Sikh masses to reach Ludhiana on April 13.
It is notable that Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa, an elderly Sikh activist, is on hunger strike for last 88 days. He is currently under police custody at Civil Hospital, Ludhiana where he is being force-fed by the doctors. Bapu Surat Singh’s son Ravinder Jeet Singh Gogi, who is a US citizen, is facing false charges of creating apprehensions to public order and is confined in Ludhaina jail under preventive detention law (section 107/151 of Code of Criminal Procedure).
Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa’s supporters told Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) that the Ludhiana court did not hold hearing in Ravinder Jeet Singh Gogi’s case for last few court dates.
“Next hearing in Ravinder Jeet Singh Gogi’s case is on April 13, therefore we have called upon the Sikh sangat to mark their presence in support of Bhai Gogi in Ludhiana court complex” they said.
Meanwhile, the United Akali Dal (UAD) led by former Damdami Taksal leader Mohkam Singh has announced to hold a March from Moga to Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Talwandi Sabo on April 13 in support of Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa.
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. 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.
Observers say that repeated and unexplained withdrawals from struggle by Gurbaksh Singh have created atmosphere of general suspicion amongst the Sikh masses on this issue and because of this suspicion the masses are not extending their support to Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa’s struggle despite show of determination on his part.