File Photo: Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana
Amritsar (April 27, 2011): A day after the letter issued by Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, re-arguing Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib to secure necessary Jathedar arrangement to get him baptised as per Sikh rituals, Giani Gurbachan Singh is reported to have taken the state’s jail department to task for not allowing Balwant Singh to get baptized before he is hanged to death. Balwant Singh was convicted for the assassination of Beant Singh, former CM of Punjab, and is on death row.
ON Wednesday Giani Gurbachan Singh is reported to have said that in a democratic set up no one could prevent anyone from performing their religious rituals. He said it was unfortunate that jail administration was creating stumbling block in performing a religious ceremony. He said he himself in capacity of Sikh granthi had visited jails for the amrit sanchar ceremony but wondered as to why the government was not giving permission to Balwant Singh. He said that he himself would go to the Patiala Central Jail, where Balwant Singh is currently lodged, for baptization of Balwant Singh if allowed by the government.
“We will wait for some time then we will consider over taking religious action” he is reported to have said by Times of India (TOI).
Kamaljit Kaur, sister of Balwant Singh informed certian sections of media that it had been over six months since his brother had expressed his wish before Akal Takht.
Secretary to Jathedar of Akal Takht Jaswinder Pal Singh informed that Balwant Singh had expressed his desire to die as a baptized Sikh in a letter sent to Akal Takht secretariat following which the secretariat had written to superintendent of Patiala jail seeking a date so that Punj Payara’s (five beloved ones) could go to jail and carry out the baptism ceremony. The Akal Takht secreteriate had also written to Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee to approach the concerned persons in government for the initiation of Balwant Singh. Meanwhile Giani Gurbachan Singh suggested to hold monthly religious functions of all the faiths including Hindu, Sikh, Christians and Muslims. “Religious teachings will help the inmates to become a good citizen when they come out as a free man” he added.