Chandigarh, Punjab (March 24, 2012): As per information available with Sikh Siyasat, Parkash Singh Badal, the chief minister of Punjab, today made a statement on the issue of death sentence awarded by Chandigarh court to Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana in state assembly, Chandigarh. He assured that he would meet the Indian President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to seek “clemency” for the Bhai Rajoana.
Badal read a prepared text/statement in the state assembly and went into the recent developments in the case. He “assured” the House that all legal and constitutional steps were being taken by the Punjab government to seek clemency for Rajoana, currently lodged in central Jail, Patiala . He is scheduled to be hanged on March 31, 2012.
Parkash Singh Badal did not uttered any word regarding passing a resolution in the Punjab assembly against the hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana. It is notable that some months back Tamil Nadu state assembly passed a resolution seeking clemency for three Tamils who are facing death sentence for assassinating Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.
These resolution do not change the legal situation so far as death sentence is concerned; but these resolutions have their own value. Firstly, they bring people’s voice on record of prime democratic institution; secondly they convey the expectations of masses to the Central government through proper channel. People of Punjab want a resolution be moved in the state assembly against death sentence awarded to Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana. But keeping in mind the directionless state of politics in Punjab it is seems that political parties and legislators may not take initiative to represent the people’s will in this case.