Chandigarh- Giani Harpreet Singh—former Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Sikh scholar, and President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar-Surjit)—stated that parties controlled from Delhi wish to rule Punjab by employing every possible tactic, yet they harbor no genuine sympathy for the people of Punjab, particularly the Sikhs. A recent example of this is the vehement opposition raised in the Supreme Court by the Centre's counsel, K.M. Nataraj, against the plea for clemency in the case of S. Balwant Singh Rajoana. Giani Harpreet Singh noted that Bhai Rajoana has been incarcerated for thirty-one years and has spent the last decade and a half confined in a death row cell. This constitutes a gross violation of human rights, yet the government continues to oppose the plea in the Supreme Court by harping on the old narrative that the situation in Punjab might deteriorate. This demonstrates that governments have become completely insensitive, deriving satisfaction from keeping people in inhumane conditions. It was stated that regardless of which party is in power, whenever an issue concerning Sikhs arises, they are forced to struggle for their rights rather than having the matter considered with empathy. For instance, while the apex body—the SGPC—has become a hub of scams and conspiracies, the central government is unwilling to grant Sikhs their rightful opportunity to change its administration through impartial elections. Similarly, the request for parole for Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara to visit his ailing mother was also denied. Giani Harpreet Singh remarked that it is incomprehensible how Kishori Lal—who hacked Sikhs to pieces during the November 1984 Delhi massacre and was sentenced to death seven times—could be considered for release on grounds of good conduct, whereas Bhai Rajoana, a Sikh involved merely in the conspiracy to commit murder, has been confined in a death-row cell for over a decade and a half. Similarly, the Tamil Hindus convicted of assassinating Rajiv Gandhi had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment and were subsequently released. Concluding his statement, Giani Harpreet Singh asserted that the Central Government must fulfill the promise made during the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji by immediately releasing Bhai Rajoana and all other Sikh prisoners, as well as finding an honorable resolution to all demands concerning the Sikh community; only then can they contemplate governing Punjab.