Sikh Panth, Sikh Prisoners, And Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa

[InderjitS]

Jathedar Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara’s Messages In Support of Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa

BY SIKH24 EDITORS / IN INDIA, PUNJAB, WORLD /

DECEMBER 18, 2014

NEW DELHI (December 18, 2014)—Jathedar Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara of Babbar Khalsa has issued a note in support of Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa, and to caution him of mischievous elements wanting to dither his plans. In the correspondence, Bhai Hawara states that whoever is seeking release of Sikh prisoners has his full support, however he warned Bhai Khalsa to stay aware of people who may try to manipulate him.

Bhai Hawara has stated that it was also the duty of the appointed Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib to raise his voice against unlawful imprisonment of Sikhs. He urged the Jathedar to take a lead in seeking justice for Sikhs.

The note by Bhai Hawara was released by the UK based Sikh Relief organization -

Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa has once again started his hungerstrike campaign, in demand for the release of Sikh political prisoners who have spent more than a life sentence locked behind bars. Whoever, or whichever organisation, takes any step for the release of Sikh prisoners, or is actively seeking justice for them, has my full support.

My humble request to Gurbaksh Singh; this time avoid the manipulation and devious plans of others and remain focussed, until the goal of freeing the prisoners who have served their time is achieved. This way the authorities will have to act.

Seeing the injustices take place against the Sikhs, it was the duty of the Jathedar of Akal Takht to raise his voice and rally our nation to unite in achieving this goal. If the Jathedar had fulfilled his role last year and kept to his promises, the Singhs would be walking free now and Gurbaksh Singh would not have to keep protesting. I urge the Jathedar, even now, to take the lead in fighting for justice for our Sikhs who are imprisoned and to see that they are released.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOlomN5DsD8

[ssinghuk]

I'm quite amazed at the miss information presented in the media after reading the following "article" - not sure even if the word "article" can be used as it holds soooo much junk:

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/ex-militants-to-riot-package-rss-reaches-out-to-punjab-via-sikh-arm/

Am I right in thinking Indian Express is one of the main newspapers in India?

[jkvlondon]

I'm quite amazed at the miss information presented in the media after reading the following "article" - not sure even if the word "article" can be used as it holds soooo much junk:

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/ex-militants-to-riot-package-rss-reaches-out-to-punjab-via-sikh-arm/

Am I right in thinking Indian Express is one of the main newspapers in India?

veer ji ,

the article was removed when I clicked there was note it was removed for legal reasons

[ssinghuk]

veer ji ,

the article was removed when I clicked there was note it was removed for legal reasons

Strange.

If you google search: "Ex-militants to riot package: RSS reaches out to Punjab via Sikh arm" you'll find the article I'm talking about.

[jkvlondon]

Strange.

If you google search: "Ex-militants to riot package: RSS reaches out to Punjab via Sikh arm" you'll find the article I'm talking about.

Thanks ,

can't derail the hunger strike or stop people's growing support despite media blockade so they try to sway people by saying Bhai sahib Gurbaksh SIngh is a. ex-militant i.e. atankvadhi 2. RSS stooge ...can't have it both ways either he's for hindu domination or against not both . They are trying also to claim that Bhai Sahib is not supported by the main sikh organisations because of RSS support ...what a crock! It doesn't matter if organisations are supporting or not if the populace are 100 percent for Bhai Sahib ... Let's get that ground level support like we did before.

[InderjitS]

Hunger Strike Enters 35th Day, Scene Still Unclear from Side of Government

BY SIKH24 EDITORS / IN INDIA, PUNJAB, WORLD /

DECEMBER 18, 2014

AMBALA, Haryana, India (December 18, 2014)—While Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa’s hunger strike for the release of Sikh political prisoner has entered its 35th day, it is not apparent whether the government is sincere in considering his demands or not.

The governments have given no clear indication in taking action to release the Sikh political prisoners for which Bhai Khalsa is observing a hunger strike at historical Sikh Gurdwara Lakhnaur Sahib Patshahi Dasveen near Ambala.

Bhai Khalsa had lost by 16.5 Kg during the fast. As per doctors, Bhai Khalsa is going to be a cage of bones which is a matter of concern. As winter has arrived, Bhai Khalsa’s body needs more energy, but due to his fast his health condition would deteriorate further in coming days.

Talking to journalists on Wednesday, Bhai Khalsa said he would continue his struggle till the release of Sikh political prisoners who are languishing in various jails of India despite the completion of their prison terms.

He said he is not struggling for his personal interests but for the interests of the Sikh nation. He said it was a grave injustice to imprison someone despite the completion of his term. He said he had not been contacted by the government so far. However, he expressed hope that the union government would make efforts to resolve the issue.

On the other hand, Jaswinderpal Singh, personal secretary of appointed Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh, said that the Jathedar had taken up the issue with Punjab Chief Minister and Sikh members of Parliament who had assured him to do persistent efforts in this direction.

Senior BJP leader Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal said that he had met Bhai Khalsa yesterday and afterwards met Indian home minister to take up the issue. He said process of releasing Bhai Lal Singh Akalgarh and Bhai Waryam Singh has started. He contended that a lack of documents is the biggest obstacle for their release.

Some media sources said that most of the cases against Sikh detainees were not filed by state governments but by central intelligence agencies that proves big obstacle for the release.

However, no clear indication has been received whether government is taking action in this regard. Sikh leaders have expressed grave concern over the deterioration of Bhai Khalsa’s health condition. Almost all the Sikh groups from Punjab and abroad are showing solidarity with his struggle and making appeals to the masses of Punjab through various means.

His press secretary Bhai Gurpreet Singh Guri said that on the 34th day of hunger strike, Sikh Sangat from India and abroad arrived there to meet Bhai Khalsa in large numbers. He said that Gurdwara management committees of Gurdwaras of Canada have sent a memorandum to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the governer. In the memorandum, Sikh sangat sought the demands of the hunger strike be met.

Besides others, Baba Gurdev Singh chief Sahibzada Fateh Singh Tarna Dal along with his Jatha met Khalsa, journalist Baltej Pannu, Amrinder Singh Arora, Baba Parmjit Singh, Balwinder Singh, Jaimal Singh, Iqbal Singh, Mai Bhago Society Ambala. Aam Aadmi Party Senior from Punjab Ricky Walia also visited Gurdwara Lakhnaur Sahib to support Bhai Khalsa.

SIKH24 EDITORS CAN BE REACHED AT @

[InderjitS]

[InderjitS]

**SUPPORTING BHAI GURBAKSH SINGH KHALSA** Dhadrianwale | 2014 Hunger Strike | ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਬਖਸ਼ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਖਾਲਸਾ

20 December 2014 - Baba Ranjit Singh Khalsa Dhadrianwale speak about their discussions with Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa, currently on hunger strike to peacefully demand the release of those Sikh prisoners who have completed their legal sentences.

Video Link:

Baba Ranjit Singh Khalsa, as per the wishes of Bhai Gurbaksh Singh, have been fulfilling their duty by continuing with their Gurmat Parchar mission across the villages and towns of Punjab in which the subject of the hunger strike and the reasons behind it have been a key focus in order to create awareness of the campaign.

Subject to discussions in coming days, there are initial plans being made for a large scale Gurmat Parchar Diwaan at Gurdwara Lakhnaur Sahib pending confirmation from Bhai Gurbaskh Singh and rearrangement of already pre-booked programmes. Baba Ranjit Singh Khalsa say that their intentions while doing such Parchar are not to stir the emotions of the masses directing them to cause violence, but their simple mission is to create awareness of the facts so the Sikhs can peacefully demand their just and basic rights.

Baba Ranjit Singh Khalsa told the locals that the amount of support they should be giving to Bhai Gurbaskh Singh is not being shown and those Sikhs particularly local to Haryana should wake-up to support this cause in whatever way they can. Do those who have completed their legal sentences not have a right to be released from prison and enjoy their right to freedom? Sikhs are only asking that their just rights are not taken from them. Bhai Gurbaksh Singh and the worldwide Sikh community are not asking for anything more than this.

[InderjitS]

Last year protests to highlight the plight of Bhai Sahib were held across several countries but this year there is little or no appetite. What is the reason for this, why is support so thin on the ground this time round?

[hsingh8963]

SEND YOUR EMAILS CALL FAX ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o:

The Ambassador of India to the United States

EMBASSY OF INDIA

2107, Massachusetts Ave.

Washington, D.C. 20008

Tel : (202) 939-7016 (202) 939 7000

Fax : (202) 265 4351

Email : indembwash@indiagov.org

Subject: Request to stand up for Sikh American community striving to raise voice against a grave human rights violation in India that directly affects the community here.

Dear Dr. S. Jaishankar,

As concerned Sikh Americans and overseas Citizens of India, we petition you to stand by the cause of human dignity, justice and liberty, the values that both the USA and India holds in the highest regard.

A fellow Sikh in India, Mr. Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa, a Human Rights activist, has been on hunger strike from Nov. 14th 2014, and is entering the 35th day of starvation by the date of this letter. He is demanding the release of seven Sikh political prisoners who are being illegally detained and deprived of their liberty by the Government of India for over 19 years.

These illegally held Political Prisoners are - Gurmeet Singh; Lakhwinder Singh; Shamsher Singh; Lal Singh; Wariam Singh; Gurdeep Singh Khaira and Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar. All these prisoners have well over served the sentences meted out to them many years ago.

In India, life term convicts are granted release after serving 14 years in prison but these Sikh political prisoners have served 19 to 24 years in prison and are not being released due to political red tape in different State Governments.

A review of the each of these cases reveals that they fall under "Category I" cases as identified by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention established by the United Nations Human Rights Commission. According to the Working Group's mandate, "Category I" cases are those where:

"It is clearly impossible to invoke any legal basis justifying the deprivation of liberty (as when a person is kept in detention after the completion of his sentence or despite an amnesty law applicable to him)."

The actions of the Indian Government related to the continuous arbitrary detention of Sikh Prisoners of Conscience violate every norm of democracy, Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International laws. If the ongoing practice of illegal and arbitrary detention of Sikhs goes unchecked, it will result in another era of unrest, torture, illegal detentions, enforced disappearances and extra judicial killings of Sikhs, a religious minority, as it happened to them during 1984-98 which has been extensively documented by United Nations, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

We the American Sikh community is very connected to the larger Sikh community in Punjab and our concerns have prompted us to reach out to you.

As a global citizen and the Ambassador of India, you are requested to honor our commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the UN General Assembly. The first line of this document states: “Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.”

We ask you to take up this issue with the Prime Minister of India’s office for immediate action.

We hope that you will join our cause to voice the plight of the uncountable number of illegally detained Sikhs in India and help secure the release of the first seven immediately thereby saving the life of Mr. Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa.

Time is of essence. With each passing minute, Mr. Khalsa is pacing closer to death. Please act immediately.

Please feel free to contact us for any questions.

Yours Truly,

-----------------------

Will You help me please! Write now!

To:

The Ambassador of India to Canada

High Commission of India

10, Springfield Road,

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

K1M 1C9

Telephone No: 613 744 3751, 613 744 3752, 613 744 3753

Fax No: 613 744 0913

E-Mail: hicomind@hciottawa.ca

Subject: Request to stand up for Sikh Canadian community striving to raise voice against a grave human rights violation in India that directly affects the community here.

Dear Admiral (Retd) Nirmal Verma,

As concerned overseas Citizens of India, we petition you to stand by the cause of human dignity, justice and liberty, the values that both Canada and India holds in the highest regard.

A fellow Sikh in India, Mr. Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa, a Human Rights activist, has been on hunger strike from Nov. 14th 2014, and is entering the 33rd day of starvation by the date of this letter. He is demanding the release of seven Sikh political prisoners who are being illegally detained and deprived of their liberty by the Government of India for over 19 years.

These illegally held Political Prisoners are - Gurmeet Singh; Lakhwinder Singh; Shamsher Singh; Lal Singh; Wariam Singh; Gurdeep Singh Khaira and Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar. All these prisoners have well over served the sentences meted out to them many years ago.

In India, life term convicts are granted release after serving 14 years in prison but these Sikh political prisoners have served 19 to 24 years in prison and are not being released due to political red tape in different State Governments.

A review of the each of these cases reveals that they fall under "Category I" cases as identified by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention established by the United Nations Human Rights Commission. According to the Working Group's mandate, "Category I" cases are those where:

"It is clearly impossible to invoke any legal basis justifying the deprivation of liberty (as when a person is kept in detention after the completion of his sentence or despite an amnesty law applicable to him)."

The actions of the Indian Government related to the continuous arbitrary detention of Sikh Prisoners of Conscience violate every norm of democracy, Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International laws. If the ongoing practice of illegal and arbitrary detention of Sikhs goes unchecked, it will result in another era of unrest, torture, illegal detentions, enforced disappearances and extra judicial killings of Sikhs, a religious minority, as it happened to them during 1984-98 which has been extensively documented by United Nations, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

We the Canadian Sikh community is very connected to the larger Sikh community in Punjab and our concerns have prompted us to reach out to you.

As a global citizen and the Ambassador of India, you are requested to honor our commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the UN General Assembly. The first line of this document states: “Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.”

We ask you to take up this issue with the Prime Minister of India’s office for immediate action.

We hope that you will join our cause to voice the plight of the uncountable number of illegally detained Sikhs in India and help secure the release of the first seven immediately thereby saving the life of Mr. Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa.

Time is of essence. With each passing minute, Mr. Khalsa is pacing closer to death. Please act immediately.

Please feel free to contact us for any questions.

Yours Truly,