Bathinda, Punjab (March 30, 2013): On March 30, 2013 – Sikhs in large numbers took part in a march and demonstration to seek release of Sikh political prisoner Professor Devender Pal Singh Bhullar, who is facing death penalty in India. The march and demonstration was organized by Akali Dal Panch Pardhani (ADPP) in Bathinda region of Punjab.
A view of Charhdikala March held from Dialpura Bhai Ka to Bathinda
Prof. Bhullar was awarded death punishment by a TADA court in a 1993 Bitta Blast case. His conviction was rejected by Justice M. B. Shah of Supreme Court of India who had acquitted Prof. Bhullar in this case, but the other two judges of the three judge constitutional bench of SCI had confirmed the faulty decision of the trial court.
According to Amnesty International, Professor DPS Bhullar was denied fair trial in India.
As per information available with Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) the march from Professor DPS Bhullar’s native village – Dialpura Bhai Ka to Bathinda was started after performing ardas at Gurudwara Zafarnama at village Dialpura Bhai Ka. It was was followed by a peaceful demonstration at Bathinda.
Bhai Mandhir Singh, Secretary General of ADPP, told Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) over phone that the march that comprised of around 500 motorcyclists and more than two hundred cars and other vehicles, was meant to spread awareness among the masses.
A view of demonstration held at Bathinda on March 30, 2013
Bhai Mandhir Singh informed that the march passed through Jalaal, Bhagta Bhai Ka, Kalyan, Nathana, Dehlwan, Gobindpura, Bibi Wala before reaching Bathinda. The march was reportedly received by groups of local people on it’s way to Bathinda.
“This march and demonstration was part of awareness campaign initiated by Akali Dal Panch Pardhani to secure release of Professor Devender Pal Singh Bhullar” Bhai Mandhir Singh added.
“Indian state is using death punishment as a tool of political control against struggling nations, religious and ethnic minorities and the Dalits. This is practise has highly dangerous dimensions and must be opposed” he added.
He said that Professor Devender Pal Singh Bhullar’s case was not considered according the set norms and laws rather it was considered as an exceptional case due to political reasons.
“Prof. Bhullar was sentenced to death for being a Sikhs, and it’s the moral duty of every Sikh to oppose his execution” he added.
As per information Bhai Harpal Singh Cheema, Baba Hardeep Singh Mehraj, Amrik Singh Isru, Baldev Singh Sirsa, Darshan Singh Jaga Ram Tirath, Advocate Jaspal Singh Manjhpur, Surinder Singh Nathana, Gurmeet Singh Samana, Onkar Singh Bhadaur, Jaspal Singh Heiran (Editor, Pehredar), Sarabjeet Singh Ghumaan (Dal Khalsa), Baljinder Singh (Ek Noor Fauj), Lakhwinder Singh Lakha (People’s Party of Punjab – PPP) also participated in the march and demonstration.
It is learnt that during demonstration at Bathinda a memorandum adressed to Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was handed over to the district administration.