Batala, May 28 (Balwinder Bhalla) — President of the Begampura Khalsa Raj Party and Coordination Committee member of the Qaumi Insaf Morcha, Gurinder Singh Bajwa, said in a written press statement that Jagtar Singh Hawara has been lodged in jail for nearly 29 years in connection with the assassination case of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.
He stated that during this entire period, Jathedar Hawara never sought parole. However, he has now filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking four weeks’ parole to take care of his ailing mother. Bajwa alleged that the Central Bureau of Investigation strongly opposed the parole plea in its response before the High Court.
Bajwa further said that whenever the issue of parole or release of Sikh prisoners arises, the entire government machinery stands in opposition, whether it is the Central Government or the Punjab Government. According to him, both governments follow the same policy toward Sikhs.
He alleged that by not releasing Sikh prisoners who have been lodged in jails for over 32 to 35 years, the BJP-led Central Government is committing a serious violation of human rights.
Referring to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, Bajwa said that the Dera chief has been granted parole for the 16th time despite serving a 20-year sentence in serious criminal cases.
He added that such actions and attitudes of the governments have created deep resentment within the Sikh community
KL JIT WALIA
