When governments turn deaf, path of struggle has to be chosen: Advocate Dhami
Memorandums in name of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi handed over to deputy commissioners at district headquarters
Amritsar, August 13:
Amid 75th anniversary of Independence Day, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) held protests at district headquarters across Punjab and parts of Haryana and submitted memorandum of demand in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi through deputy commissioners (DCs), demanding release of Bandi Singhs (Sikh political prisoners) lodged in different Indian jails for three decades who have completed their sentences.
For handing over a memorandum to Amritsar DC, under the leadership of SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, the SGPC members and employees gathered at a plaza outside Sri Darbar Sahib and carried out a protest march on foot to DC office.
During their protest, the SGPC President, members, and employees were wearing black turbans as a mark of their protest and carried in their hands banners and placards with slogans demanding release of Sikh prisoners.
On behalf of Amritsar DC, SDM Sh. Harpreet Singh took the memorandum from SGPC President at DC office and assured to forward the same to the government for further proceedings.
Speaking on this occasion, SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said that justice is not being done with the Sikhs lodged in jails of the country for 30 years and the governments are not releasing Sikhs despite the announcement. He said it is extremely unfortunate that injustice is being done with the Sikhs, who made the most number of sacrifices for the country.
He said despite written communications of SGPC for appointments of meetings to the country’s Prime Minister, Home Minister and Chief Ministers of concerned states, no response has been given, which clarifies that the intentions of the governments are not good.
SGPC President said that on one side the country is celebrating 75th anniversary of independence, while on the other hand, the Sikhs are being made to feel like enslavement.
“The Constitution of the country gives equal rights to every citizen but keeping the Sikh prisoners deprived of their human rights is a violation of the Constitution. The Sikh prisoners have served double sentences than life imprisonment, due to which, they have the right to be released”, said S. Harjinder Singh Dhami.
Answering a question, the SGPC President said when the governments of the country turn deaf then it is just to choose the path of struggle. He said this protest was symbolic and if the governments did not awaken, the struggle would be intensified.
Those present on this occasion included SGPC executive committee (EC) member S. Harjap Singh, S. Amarjit Singh, S. Jodh Singh, member Bhai Rajinder Singh, S. Surjit Singh, Advocate S. Bhagwant Singh, Bhai Ram Singh, S. Mangwinder Singh, S. Baljit Singh, S. Gurinderpal Singh, S. Bikramjit Singh, Bhai Ajaib Singh, S. Kuldeep Singh, SGPC additional secretary S. Paramjit Singh, S. Pratap Singh, S. Bijai Singh, OSD to SGPC President S. Satbir Singh, manager of Sri Darbar Sahib S. Sulakhan Singh, assistant secretary S. Kulwinder Singh, S. Balwinder Singh, S. Harjit Singh, S. Harjinder Singh, S. Gurmeet Singh, S. Tejinder Singh, S. Gurinder Singh, S. Nirvail Singh, S. Gurcharan Singh, S. Satnam Singh, S. Paramjit Singh, S. Kuldeep Singh, in-charge S. Shahbaz Singh, superintendent S. Malkeet Singh, S. Palwinder Singh, S. Joginder Singh from former employees’ association.