FEROZEPUR, Punjab—Bail for Bhai Dhian Singh Mand was rejected today by the local lower court of Ferozepur. Now the request for bail will be appealed in the Sessions Court of Ferozepur. Bhai Mand is the acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and was appointed by Sarbat Khalsa 2015.
Bhai Mand is being kept behind bars by the Punjab government for his alleged role in organizing protests which blocked roads last year before the Sarbat Khalsa. He was released from Maximum Security Jail Nabha on April 2, however, he was re-arrested just moments later.
A large number of Sikh activists had gathered outside the Nabha jail to welcome Bhai Dhian Singh Mand, including Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) leaders. They shouted slogans like, “Khalistan Zindabad,” “Jathedar Bhai Dhian Singh Mand Zindabad,” and “Jathedar Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara Zindabad.”
Professor Mohinderpal Singh, general secretary of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), said that the Punjab government was deceiving people by falsely claiming there was a disturbance in law and order in the state. He added that his party wouldn’t give up its struggle.
Bhai Mand stated that the government is playing dirty games by keeping Sikh leaders behind bars and by filing new cases upon the release of Sikh leaders. “I am not being released because Sukhbir Badal doesn’t want Sarbat Khalsa happening again. To me it doesn’t matter that I am being kept behind the bars,” said Mand. “I don’t really care, but one thing I want to know is, why are new cases being framed on Sikh leaders time after time? Why doesn’t the judiciary tell us which cases we are charged under?”