BABA BAKALA (AMRITSAR) In a significant development, pro-freedom Sikh activists organized an impressive ‘Panthic Gathering’ at historic town Baba Bakala on Monday (August 19) to raise demand of release of Sikh political prisoners during annual Rakhar Punia festival. Gathering in this event outshone the political conferences of ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal). 

Even as rain inundated the venue of the ‘Panthic gathering’, it could not kill the enthusiasm among the people for attending the event. In festival which witnessed footfall of lakhs of devotees, the people gave big response to the event and made presence there to extend solidarity with jailed pro-freedom Sikh leader Amritpal Singh who has recently been elected as Member of Parliament from Khadoor Sahib constituency. 

One of the leading English newspapers The Tribune saw it as “emergence” of new players on the political scene of Punjab with its headline: “At Rakhar Punia mela, new players on political scene take centre stage”. 

Hoardings carrying pictures of Shaheed Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra, Bhai Sandeep Singh aka Deep Sidhu, Sikh political prisoners including Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara were seen attracting the Sikh community visiting the historic and holy town which is associated with sixth Guru Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib and ninth Guru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadar. 

On the other hand, the people showed lesser interest toward the AAP conference despite presence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the ruling party used entire government machinery to ensure big gathering there. Similarly, the SAD (Badal) conference which was addressed by president Sukhbir Badal failed to draw attention of the people. 

A resolution passed during Panthic gathering gave 25-day ultimatum to the government for release of Amritpal Singh who is lodged to Dibrugarh jail of Assam under contentious National Security Act (NSA), other NSA detenues and Sikh prisoners who have been languishing in different jails of India despite completing their terms. “If the government does not release them till 15 October, a big agitation will be launched”, says the resolution. 

“Prolonged imprisonments of Sikh prisoners have totally exposed the face of judicial system of the country. Sikhs have lost hope for justice in this country. On the other hands, the prisoners associated with the ruling parties are being released in five years. They also get the bails. Rape convict like Gurmeet Ram Rahim is getting numerous paroles”, it further says, adding, “No bail or parole is being granted to Amritpal Singh for attending Lok Sabha sessions despite winning by around two lakh votes. Centre and Punjab government are adopting unconstitutional methods to extend detention of Amritpal Singh under NSA. If the governments do not release him and other Sikh prisoners, process of public meetings will be initiated for public mobilization across Punjab”.  

A written message of Amritpal who is lodged to Dibrugarh jail of Assam under the NSA, was also read out from the stage of the gathering, wherein he reiterated his mission for independence.  “My aim is clear that is mentioned as ‘Raaj Karega Khalsa (Khalsa will rule) by Sikhs in daily ardas prayer”. 

The gathering was also addressed by Faridkot MP Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, whose father Beant Singh avenged 1984 Indian army attack on Sri Darbar Sahib and Akal Takht Sahib by assassinating the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. 

Uncovering real face of Indian democracy, he said, “During the last parliament session, I made repeated requests to the speaker of Lok Sabha to give me time for raising the issue of illegal detention of Amritpal Singh and his aides, but I was not given the time. I also sought appointment with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to raise this issue, but my plea was again declined”.