Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana

Bhai Rajoana’s hanging: Punjab bandh on 28 March

Ludhiana, Punjab (March 27, 2012): Punjab is scheduled to shut down on 28 Marcus to raise people's voice against hanging of Sikh political prisoner Bhai Bawant Singh Rajoana. The hanging is scheduled to take place on March 31. Joint committee formed by various Sikh organisations has given the Punjab bandh call.

Punjab gripped with heavy force deployment; flag marches held across the state ahead of Rajoana’s hanging

Patiala/Chandigarh, Punjab (March 27, 2012): As per media reports around 9,000 Punjab Armed Police (PAP) personnel and 15 paramilitary companies have been deployed in various parts of the state. It is notable that last few days have seen massive protests across the state in Balwant Singh Rajoana’s support. Indian authorities have decided to hang Balwant Singh on 31 March,2012.

I will meet Indian PM and President for Balwant Singh Rajoana: CM Badal to state assembly

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 death sentence to Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana in state assembly in Chandigarh. He assured that he would meet the Indian President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to seek "clemency" for the Bhai Rajoana.

Rajoana hanging issue: Sikh bodies call masses to support peaceful shut down on 28 March

Amritsar, Punjab (March 26, 2012): Indian media is up in arms to create confusion among masses by publishing misleading reports about Punjab shut down call. Various prominent Indian newspapers are trying to mislead masses by wrongfully reporting that Joint Committee formed by various Panthic organizations has rejected the program announced Akal Takhat Sahib and March 28 Punjab bandh call is not supported by Akal Takhat Sahib.

Canadian Sikh MPP oppose death penalty to Balwant Singh Rajoana; UK Sikh body welcomes statement

Ontario, Canada (March 26, 2012): Following the announcement in India to hang Balwant Singh Rajoana on 31 March 2012 few western politicians have issued statements condemning the death penalty in India.

We can’t hang Balwant Singh Rajoana at this stage: Jail authorities reconfirm; death warrants returned again

Patiala/Chandigarh, Punjab (March 25, 2012): As per information available with "Sikh Siyasat" the Central Jail, Patiala authorities have again returned the "death or black warrants" of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana to the Chandigarh court. The authorities have sent an eleven pages letter to the court, claiming that it would be illegal to hang Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana at this stage. Authorities have referred to various decisions by Supreme Court of India that if an appeal filed by a co-convict is pending before any appellant court the death sentence of a convict should not be executed, because the appellant court has the powers to reduce the sentence of all the conflicts, whether appealing or not.

Sikh diaspora protests globally against proposed execution of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana

Ludhiana, Punjab (March 24, 2012): As per information shared on Facebook Group "The Global Movement for Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana" acknowledges the Sikh Organizations in California, Gurdwara Committee’s, and Sangat that came together in unprecedented numbers to protest the death sentence of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana.

Akal Takhat’s message and directive on Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana (23 March, 2012)

Amritsar, Punjab (March 24, 2012): Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, received the suggestions of various Sikh bodies on execution of death sentence ordered for Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana by Indian courts. Five Singh Sahibs, Jathedars of five Sikh Takhats, discussed the suggestions and issued directions and message accordingly for the Sikh masses and leadership. Sikh Siyasat has copies of the message/directive issued by Akal Takhat Jathedar on March 23, 2012. This documents is in Punjab and can be read here, as follows:

Worldwide Sikh Diaspora approach UN Human Rights Commission regarding proposed hanging of Sikh political prisioner in India

London, England (March 23, 2012): As per information available with "Sikh Siyasat" a delegation of Sikhs from a number of countries will later this morning meet with UN officials in Geneva and make a submission to the UN Human Rights Council. The submission will request the UN to take action against India to end the death penalty.

Bhai Dilawar Singh National martyr and Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana Living martyr: Akal Takhat; Sikh bodies declare extensive protest plan

Sri Amritsar, Punjab (March 23, 2012): Sri Akal Takhat Sahib today declared Bhai Dilawar Singh as "National Martyr of the Sikh Nation", and Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana is awarded the title of "living martyr of the Sikh Nation". Five Jathedars have directed Punjab Chief Minister and Badal Dal Patron Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Singh Badal (President of Badal Dal) and Avtar Singh Makkar President of Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee to meet President of India and seek release of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana and convey sentiments of the Sikh nation to the Indian state.

With the imminent hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana; Worldwide Sikh community vow to bring an end to the death penaalty in India

London, England (March 23, 2012): In a communication sent to Sikh Siyasat by Sikh Federation UK (dated: 19 March, 2012) it is said that: "More than two-thirds of countries in the world have now abolished the death penalty in law or practice. However, India, the world’s so-called largest democracy is preparing to break its moratorium on the death penalty by hanging Balwant Singh on 31 March 2012 at 9am in Central Jail, Patiala."

PIL seeking stay on execution of death penalty to Sikh prisoner Balwant Singh Rajoana dismissed

Chandigarh, Punjab (March 22, 2012): As per media reports the Punjab and Haryana High Court today dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking directions for stay on the operation of an order passed by Chandigarh additional sessions judge on March 5, 2012, for the execution of Balwant Singh Rajoana in Beant Singh assassination case on March 31.  The High Court is reported to have dismissed the petition on technical ground. The court said the petitioner had no 'locus standi' in the case.

PIL seeks stay on execution of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana

Chandigarh, Punjab (March 21, 2012): The “Lawyers for Human Rights International” (LFHRI) has moved the High Court through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking stay on the execution of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana. As per information sent to "Sikh Siyasat" by Advocate Navkiran Singh it is argued in the court that the judgement confirming the death sentence of Balwant Singh was still under appeal before the Supreme Court of India.

Akal Takhat tell Sikh organizations to give suggestion on Balwant Singh Rajoana; Meeting on 23 March

Amritsar, Punjab (March 20, 2012): Five Singh Sahibs, Jathedars of five Sikh Takhats, have directed all the Sikh organizations to present their views and suggestions, in writing, that what should be Panthic move regarding death sentence awarded to Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana. Akal Takhat Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh told that five Singh Sahib have decided to take input from various Sikh organizations. He was addressing the media persons after holding meeting with other Singh Sahibs at Akal Takhat Secretariat.

Jathedar Akal Takhat meets Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana

Patiala, Punjab (March 19, 2012): As per information available with "Sikh Siyasat" Sri Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh met Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana today. The meeting is reported to have lasted for more than half an hour in Patiala jail. Jathedar is reported to have asked Balwant Singh Rajoana to re-think over filing an appeal against the death penalty awarded to him.

We can’t hang Balwant Singh Rajoana: says Patiala Jail authorities; Death warrants returned back

Patiala, Punjab (March 19, 2012): As per recent media reports, the Central Jail, Patiala authorities have returned the "balck or death warrant" of Chandigarh Court directing execution of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana on March 31, 2012. The authorities are reproted to have pleaded their inability to execute the hanging orders since the death sentence was awarded to Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana by a court whose jurisdiction falls outside the State of Punjab. It is notable that Chandigarh is a territory that is under the control of Central Government of India.

Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana’s will handed over to Jathedar Akal Takhat

Amritsar/Ludhiana, Punjab (March 19, 2012): Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, who has accepted the death sentence awarded by Indian Courts and has decided not to appeal against it, has wished his eyes to be donated to Bhai Lakhwinder Singh, Hazoori Raagi of Darbar Sahib. Bhai Lakhwinder Singh performs Kirtan at Sri Darbar Sahib Amirtsar, commonly known as the Golden Temple of Amritsar. Bhai Rajoana has also wished that after his death his body parts be donated to the needy persons.

Punjab jail authorities refuse to execute Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana

Patiala, Punjab (March 16, 2012): As per media reports dated March 15, 2012 the Punjab Jails Department has refused to execute the order of a Chandigarh court asking the Patiala Central Jail authorities to hang former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh’s assassin Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, claiming that Punjab has no such understanding with the Chandigarh Administration. At present, Balwant Singh Rajoana is lodged in the Patiala jail.

India set to break death penalty mortarium, Balwant Singh Rajoana’s Black warrants issued

Chandigarh/Patiala, Punjab (February 14, 2012): As per media reports “Black Warrants” for the execusion of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, who has been sentenced death penalty in former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh’s assassination case, reached Patiala Central Jail authorities on February 13, 2012 and he will be hanged in Patiala central jail at 9 am on March 31.

Jathedar want to baptise Rajoana but official clearance is the hurdle

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.

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