Sri Amritsar-Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj has questioned the repeated grant of parole to Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who is serving sentences in rape and murder cases, alleging that governments are adopting “double standards” towards Sikhs.
Addressing the media at Thikriwal village during the Miri-Piri Khalsa March, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said on Tuesday that the Khalsa Panth is struggling for the release of Sikh prisoners who had completed their sentences. He said parole was particularly being sought for Jathedar Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara so that he could meet his elderly and ailing mother, but neither the imprisoned Sikhs were being released nor was Bhai Hawara being granted parole.
The Jathedar termed this a “double standard” of governments, pointing out that Gurmeet Ram Rahim had been imprisoned for crimes including rape and murder and that several people had lost their lives in violence following his arrest. Despite this, he said, the Dera head was repeatedly released from jail on parole “as if he is going on a picnic”.
Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said that when it came to granting parole or releasing Sikhs who had remained incarcerated for nearly three decades, even parole was not being granted to them. He described the denial of an opportunity for Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara to meet his ailing mother as a serious violation of the human rights of both mother and son.
He asked governments to abandon double standards and give priority to humanitarian considerations by granting Bhai Hawara parole to meet his mother. He said this was not only the sentiment of the Sikh community but also of organisations committed to humanity. “Sons are as dear to mothers as their own flesh and blood, ” he said, asking the government to give priority to the human rights of an elderly mother.
Jathedar Gargajj also raised the long-pending issue of the commutation of the death sentence of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana. He said the cases concerning the release of Bhai Jagtar Singh Tara, Bhai Paramjit Singh Bheora and Prof. Devinderpal Singh Bhullar were also still pending.
He said Prof Bhullar’s release should have taken place long ago, but the then Delhi government led by Arvind Kejriwal had not signed the file concerning his release.