SGPC President’s sharp reaction after Supreme Court decision
Amritsar : Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami while reacting to the Supreme Court’s Friday decision to release convicts in Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination case, raised question that why the same is not being applied in the cases of Sikh political prisoners?
In a statement issued he alleged that the discriminatory policy being adopted by governments for the Sikhs stands exposed with this decision. The SGPC President in a statement issued from his office said that the Sikh community has been raising voice for the release of Sikh political prisoners locked in different jails in the country for the last three decades, but the governments have turned a deaf ear.
He claimed that there are many such cases, in which the governments have been merciful to the prisoners with heinous charges like murder, rape, etc. On the other hand, injustice is being done to the Sikh prisoners. He said even release of Prof. Devinderpal Singh Bhullar is possible with a consent from the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi, but the Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal is adopting anti-Sikh sentiments. Similarly, the case of Bhai Gurdeep Singh Khera’s release is pending with the Karnataka government, he said.
Harjinder Singh Dhami said that despite the clear instructions by the Supreme Court in the case of death sentence commutation of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, the governments are working under the policy of ignorance and opposition.
SGPC President said that if the Tamil Nadu state government can recommend the release of accused involved in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, then why not the same can be done by the governments of various states, including the Centre and Punjab for the release of Sikh political prisoners. He also said that the release of the Sikh prisoners is linked to completion of their sentences, while the convicts of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination have been released prematurely. This discrimination is deeply hurtful to Sikh sentiments, about which governments should be serious.
Dhami has expressed objection to Congress for including Sikh Genocide accused Jagdish Tytler in the state election committee for the elections of Municipal Corporation Delhi. He said that even after 38 years, the wounds of the Sikh Genocide are still oozing and the victim Sikh families are demanding punishment for the perpetuators. He said Congress is rewarding the perpetrators of Sikh Genocide by giving them positions. SGPC President strongly said that Congress should refrain from such actions.
He has also condemned the incident of honouring Congress leader Kamal Nath, another accused of Sikh Genocide cases, during a religious congregation related to Prakash Gurpurb of first Guru at Indore, Madhya Pradesh (MP). He said that the organizers of the event did not do it right by honouring Kamal Nath. SGPC President also appreciated the protest by famous Kirtaniya Bhai Manpreet Singh Kanpuri who went there to do Kirtan during the congregation at Indore. He also appealed to the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib to hold accountability of organizers of the congregation at Indore.
