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The representative gathering of Sikh organizations, assembled at Chandigarh on the 25th anniversary of the event, appreciated the efforts, contribution and service of Gajinder Singh, who is still in exile, for the sake of the Sikh cause. Capitalizing on the memories of the event, one of the main resolutions of the meeting was in the form of an appeal to the United Nations to restore the civil rights of Gajinder Singh, who had undergone life imprisonment for 14 long years in Pakistan. It was decided to write to the secretary general of the United Nations in this regard seeking grant of civil rights to Gajinder Singh and full liberty to pursue his personal and political life, without fear and intervention of any kind.
In the same breath, the personal and political affiliates of Gajinder Singh, chided the government of India for its negative and illegal approach and attitude while dealing with the case of Gajinder Singh. The Sikh leadership demanded that the government of India should stop name-calling the Sikhs in international forums.
Replying to the questions of the media persons, the leaders assembled at
Monarch Hotel, Chandigarh said that the fundamental rights of Gajinder Singh
should be restored. He should have liberty to decide his fate.Blaming the Indian government for tarnishing the image of Gajinder Singh by placing his name in the list of 20 most wanted persons, they asked the Union government to correct its err and delete his name from the so-called list. They stressed that he should have the freedom to choose his resident status.
When reporters asked whether Gajinder wants to return back, they replied “let
Gajinder Singh to decide whether he wants to return or remain there where he
is presently staying or to move to some other country”. The leaders
were of the opinion that Indian government should stop branding him as a
terrorist.
As the government of India has downgraded the legal provision of “double
jeopardy”, the Dal Khalsa has decided to take up the case of Gajinder Singh
and other hijackers to the UN Sub Commission of Human Rights, posing them the
fundamental question –“What are the international rights of a hijacker who
has undergone imprisonment terms and why should governments continue to hound
such a person?”
Sirdar Gurtej Singh former IAS also spoke at length sharing his deep
association with Gajinder
Singh. He reminded the audience that likes of Gajinder Singh were product of
times in which every attempt at betterment of the Sikhs had come to nought.
He said Gajinder Singh was concerned about the destiny of the Sikhs. He stood
for the glory of the Panth and defied the so-called mainstream Akalis.
He further said that Dal Khalsa was born to confront and curtail the
anti-Sikh policies of the Indian state. The nomenclature ‘Dal Khalsa’ was
provided by Sirdar Kapur Singh. He rubbishes the repeated attempts made by
vested interests to paint the Dal Khalsa with ‘Congress’ brush.
Acknowledging the ‘historic role’ played by Gajinder Singh Prof. Jagmohan
Singh pointed out
that while India has declared its war on terror, the Sikh organizations were
fighting a war on (India's) errors.
A 24 page booklet having articles about S Gajinder Singh was released by none
other than Bhai Ishar Singh, son of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindrawale.
The booklet - from the description of his panthic background and account of
hijacking to his views on bitter memories of 1947 partition.
The worst is the role of the Captain Amrinder Singh, the chief minister who
has failed to restrain the police force till date. Justifying the police for
its brutal acts reflect the autocratic mindset of erstwhile Maharaja. It
seems his government days are numbered. The Congress will have to face the
‘music’ of electorate during coming assembly elections for its anti-people
policies.
It is ironic that neither the courts nor the State
Human Rights Commission has taken the suo motto notice of these regular acts
of the Chandigarh and Panjab police. We make an appeal to the affected
sections to join hands in their battle for all round justice for the people
of Punjab.
Others
who graced the occasion were Prof Jagmohan Singh, Dr. Gurdarshan Singh
Dhillon, Bhai Mohkam Singh, SGPC member Karnail Singh Panjoli, Kanwar Singh
Dhami, former SGPC member Amrinder Singh, Navkiran Singh Advocate, M S Rahi
(Advocate), Gurmit Singh (Advocate), Karnail Singh Pir Mohammad, Surinder pal
Singh Patiala, Satnam Singh Walia, Gurpreet Singh Mohali, Karamjit Singh,
former editor of Punjabi Tribune.
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