Former militant Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa, who had brought into focus the issue of several Sikh prisoners languishing in jails despite completing their sentences, through his fast at Gurdwara Lakhnaur Sahib here, was on Saturday evening admitted in the Civil Hospital here after his health deteriorated.
His son, Jujhar Singh, said his father had not been keeping well over the last few days and so it was decided to shift him to the Civil Hospital, where the doctors administered him essential medication. The district administration had been keeping a close watch on Khalsa’s health during the course of his 58-day fast which had evoked a strong response from both within the Sikh community and the political parties.
All through Saturday too a number of senior district and police officials maintained a tight vigil at the gurdwara and later at the Civil Hospital. For the past few days, in view of the cold conditions and Khalsa’s health, the officials had been urging his family and supporters to move him to a hospital.
The large police presence also led to speculation that Khalsa was removed forcibly by the police but his son scotched the rumours. However, several radical groups insisted that the both the Haryana and Punjab governments and the Haryana Police had been mounting pressure on him to end his fast.
President of All India Sikh Students Federation Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad said while the Haryana Government had earlier not allowed a kirtan procession by Khalsa’s supporters in Ambala, the Punjab Police had prevented his entry into the State on January 8, when plans had been announced for his visit to Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. He said the fast has nevertheless caught the attention of Sikhs across the globe.
Open support
Incidentally, various radical Sikh groups had come out openly in support of the fast. During a visit by delegation of the Akali Dal (Amritsar) to Lakhnaur, even pro-Khalistan slogans were raised by members, leading to the Ambala police registering a case.
Khalsa had gone on fast demanding the release of seven Sikh prisoners lodged in various jails of the country. During the course of his fast, the issue had gained currency. The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee later released a list of 119 Sikh prisoners who were incarcerated in various jails across the country despite having served their sentences. It had also claimed that 96 of these were in Punjab.
This prompted the Punjab Government also to make the right noises. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal urged the Centre to step in.
The Deputy CM even met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday.
However, the Congress leadership in both Haryana and Punjab has accused the Badals of not being serious on the issue as most of the Sikh detainees were in Punjab jails.
President of Haryana SGMC Jagdish Singh Jhinda, who was among the various Sikh leaders to call on Khalsa during his fast, on Saturday questioned the seriousness of the Punjab Government in addressing the demand raised by the former militant.
