Ambala, Haryana: A photo marking Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa’s presence in a Rashtriya Sikh Sangat program has sparked controversy. Gurprit Singh Guri claims that the photo was being misinterpreted and there was nothing wrong in Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa’s participation to the concerned program.
The photo was reportedly taken on November 09 (2014) during a Rashtriya Sikh Sangat program in Delhi. It shows Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa on dais of the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat – a controversial wing of Hindutva fountainhead Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS).
It may be recalled that in 2004 the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat was declared an ‘anti-Sikh body’ by the then Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti and other four Sikh Jathedars. The 2004 declaration had put a stop on activities of Rashtriya Sikh Sangat but with the rise of Hindutva forces after 2014 Lok Sabha elections in India, the Sangh (RSS) has revived the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat.
Offering an explanation for Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa’s participation in Rashtriya Sikh Sangat program, Gurprit Singh Guri Hans says that ‘they’ had approached a Delhi based person seeking to tender a memorandum to the Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh regarding permanent release of ‘Bandi Singhs’ (Sikh Political Prisoners).
“That persons called us to Delhi on 9 November for meeting Rajnath Singh, but when we reached there we came to know that there was a program by Rashtriya Sikh Sangat. It was inauguration of a ‘Sangat Hall’. We attended the Bhog of Akhand Path Shaib. They (the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat people) honored Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa. Then we handed them over the list of Bandhi Singhs and left the venue” Gurpreet Singh Guri wrote on his Facebook wall, while adding that “They had called us to visit again on 11 November but we did not went there”.
It is notable that Gurpreet Singh Guri Hans is one of the main companions of Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa in Bandi Singh Rihai Morcha, Lakhanur Sahib (Ambala). Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa is on hunger strike since November 14 seeking release of seven Sikh political prisoner who are detained in various jails in India despite serving the terms of their sentences.