AMRITSAR SAHIB (December 18, 2013)—Sensing the disinterest shown by the Government of India and its deaf silence in redressing the prisoners issue and apprehensive of life of Gurbaksh Singh whose health is deteriorating rapidly, the Dal Khalsa has knocked the doors of Amnesty International urging it to intervene without delay.
The organization has written a letter to the Director of the Amnesty International, who’s mandate is protection of prisoners rights to initiate a campaign not only for the release of the 6 detainees whose release is sought by Gurbaksh Singh through his hunger strike, but also to save his “precious” life.
Party’s head H S Dhami and spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh said while Gurbakash Singh has steadfastly maintains his grit and determination despite falling health, the Indian state seems to be waiting in the wings to either let him die or to force-feed him as they did some days back.
The letter sent to Amnesty’s London office further stated that the government of Punjab continues to pay lip service and express sympathy without waking up from deep slumber. It was a classic case of lethargic executive insomnia and nonchalance, they added.
The letter quoted Gurbaksh Singh saying that it was the unconcerned behavior of the governments that forced him to take this “extreme step in a democratic setup”.
Notably, Gurbaksh Singh is fasting unto death since November 14, at Gurdwara Amb Sahib, Mohali, seeking the release of 6 Sikh prisoners who have not been released despite serving full term.
The Dal Khalsa leaders has sent prisoner’s bio-sheet to Amnesty detailing the status report of Gurmeet Singh, Lakhwinder Singh and Shamsher Singh (all Burial jail), Gurdeep Singh (Karnataka jail), Lal Singh (case with Gujarat government) and Waryam Singh (Uttar Pradesh jail).
The letter alleged that Indian laws regarding release of indeterminate sentence prisoners are open to interpretation and prevarication of the executive. Technically speaking, none of the cases are sub-judice and as such it was only the executive which has to take a final decision in the matter, the letter reads.
The continued detention of 6 prisoners not only violates the principle of equality enshrined in the Indian constitution but is also a clear violation of the UN Declaration of Human Rights. We have reason to believe that the chief cause for the continued incarceration of these prisoners was that they fought for the cause of self-determination of the Sikhs. “India follows a policy of hatred and vendetta against such Sikh prisoners”, they alleged.
The letter urged the international watchdog to initiate steps to release these prisoners on humanitarian grounds –a practice which is otherwise followed regularly but easily forgotten on political grounds.
Quoting Gurbaksh Singh that “we will respond to state terrorism with determined peace, Kanwar Pal Singh said they would wait for Amnesty International to respond to this wake-up call before it is too late.