LUDHIANA, Punjab (May 17, 2015)—On conclusion of 121st day of hunger strike of Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa, leaders of Panthik organizations assembled at his residence in village Hassanpur to discuss the strategy of courting arrests to seek release of Sikh political prisoners.  It should be noted that the Punjab Government refused to detain the first jatha of Sikh protesters from Fatehgarh Sahib.  During the meeting, Sikh leaders resolved to stage huge protest on May 20 outside residence of Punjab chief Minister Parkash ‘Singh’ Badal to raise their voice.
Bapu Surat Singh is on hunger strike since January 16 for permanent release of Sikh prisoners languishing in various jails of India despite completion of their terms.
Sikh coordination committee convener Gurdeep Singh Bathinda said that Panthik leaders had decided to strengthen the struggle initiated by Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa as his health is deteriorating day by day. Explaining the programme of May 20, he said that Sikh Sangat would gather at Gurdwara Amb Sahib Mohali on 10 AM. From Amb Sahib, they would march toward residence of Badal. He added that the protest would be entirely peaceful.
Damdami Taksal (Ajnala) head Bhai Amrik Singh Ajnala, Bhai Mohkam Singh, Sangharsh Committee convener Gurdeep Singh Bathinda, Jasvir Singh Khandur, Bhai RP Singh Chandigarh, Jathedar Buta Singh Ranseeh, Jathedar Tarlok Singh Dalla, Manjinder Singh Jandi, Bhai Jang Singh, Haryana Satkar Committee chief Bhai Sukhwinder Singh, Kammikar Singh Mukandpur, Bibi Pritam Kaur, Bhai Bakhshish Singh, Daljit Singh Beparwah and others were among those who attended the meeting.
The Sikh leaders said that issue of Sikh political prisoners is the issue of human rights, so every human rights group, Panthik body, Sant Samaj and Guru Nanak Naam Lewa Sangat should play leading role in the struggle for release of the prisoners. They said that 83-year old man is on hunger strike for 121 days, Sikh leader are courting arrests but deaf and dumb governments are not hearing their voice.

 SIKH24 EDITORS