AMRITSAR SAHIB (January 30, 2014)—A petition has surfaced online alleging that Baba Surjit Singh, Jathedar (chief) of one faction of the ancient Buddha Dal has been facing torture whilst in police custody. Baba Surjit Singh hails from Marad village of Gurdaspur. He was arrested after the passing away of Baba Santa Singh. His followers claim that the Shiromani Akali Dal (B) conspired with a rival Buddha Dal leader, Baba Balbir Singh, to get Baba Surjit Singh arrested on false charges.
Baba Surjit Singh has been imprisoned for six years in Patiala Central Jail, where other political prisoners like Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana are kept. The petition alleges that “there has been no conviction against him, as the charges are fabricated, and do not hold up in Court. Furthermore twenty-two other Singhs are in jail with Baba Surjit Singh, six of whom have no charges filed against them…”
The petition is available here: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/human-rights-abuse-against-akali-nihang-baba
Editors’ Note: While membership of different Nihung factions is increasing in different countries, lately there has been a lack of leadership and guidance within the Nihung Singh Dals in Punjab. This has led to increased violence, harassment, drug abuse and other anti-Sikh activities by members of different factions worldwide.