AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—In what has become typical in the so-called world’s largest democracy, Resham Singh, a American citizen of Bakersfield, California, was finally released after six weeks of physical torture and threats during captivity, for attending a Sikh socio-religious gathering (Sarbat Khalsa).
Resham Singh was charged with sedition, a questionable charge since he had broken no laws and exercised his legal right, in both Indian and international law, for freedom of assembly. He had helped organize and attended the Sarbat Khalsa on November 10 in 2015, after which the charges were placed. He had attempted to attend the 2016 event (originally set for last month – but eventually held on December 8, this year), when he was arrested.
Attorneys for Voices For Freedom (India) began the legal battle for the release of Resham Singh and have been battling long and hard until his release on Monday December 19, 2016.
VFF have revealed in an interview with Sikh24 that Bhai Resham Singh, over 60 years old, was denied medical assistance for diabetes and was regular shackled, violating the Supreme Court of India’s regulation prohibiting such shackling. He was continually threatened that he would be subjected to further ill-treatment due to his participation in raising a voice for the rights of minorities.
A White House petition seeking his release from illegal detention was launched by the VFF team, which garnered a huge response in only the first few days of it’s launch.
The VFF released a statement by Bhai Resham Singh after his release:
“I am deeply touched by the love and solidarity expressed by so many around the globe. I want to thank everyone who came forward to support me and my family. I would like to thank the US Embassy, my local Congressman Kevin McCarthy, my family, members of my organization, all human rights organizations, and our sangat for standing up for me. I would like to give my special thanks to Voices For Freedom attorney, Simranjit Singh who started working on my case within the few hours of my arrest. I would also request to close the petition as it has served its purpose. I will continue to fight for my legal rights. Thank you, everyone, for coming together and supporting me.”, Bhai Resham Singh, Senior Vice-President, Shrimoni Akali Dal(Akali), USA.
Currently Resham Singh is still trapped in India as the return of his passport has been refused. Further legal steps are being initiated for the release of his personal documents so that he may return home.
Jaspreet Kaur, a legal counsel for VFF USA confirmed that charges of sedition were regularly leveled against political activists in India. She said, “Sedition law in India is outdated, discriminatory and is currently manipulated by the Indian government against human rights activists.”
Jaspreet Kaur’s Indian counterpart, Simranjit Singh, continues to represent Bhai Resham Singh as the charge of sedition currently still stands. Pressure campaigning from the USA is also beginning to be mobilized so that the American citizen’s mistreatment by the Indian government may be brought to the attention of higher levels of US government.