Washington, DC: A press release by World Sikh Council – America Region (WSC-AR) says that the US based body is deeply concerned about the situation developing in Punjab arising out of Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa’s efforts to persuade the Indian government to follow the law of the land. Gurbaksh Singh is on a hunger strike since November 14, 2014 to seek release of seven Sikh prisoners who have completed the minimum mandatory terms of their sentences. This is a second time he has gone on an indefinite hunger strike.
World Sikh Council-AR
WSC-AR release says “[u]nder Indian law, a life term lasts 14 years. There are many Sikhs languishing in jails all over India who have served more than 14 years, yet remain confined. According to the papers submitted by the States of Punjab and Haryana to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, there are no less than 237 inmates in these two states alone who have completed life term. There is strong concern that the state bodies and representatives are not interested in taking any action due to institutional bias”.
“Gurdwaras and other organizations around the world, as well as hundreds of thousands of individuals, have expressed solidarity with the cause undertaken by Bhai Gurbaksh Singh. WSC-AR demands that an appropriate judicial review of the cases highlighted by Bhai Gurbaksh Singh be undertaken and those who have either completed their sentences or have no cases against them must be immediately released by the Indian government” the release reads further.