Drop cases, free farmers: SGPC

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 9

Condemning the January 26 violence at the Red Fort, SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur today demanded that the cases against farmers be scrapped and those who were arrested should be freed unconditionally.

She presided over an executive body meeting of the SGPC here today. The executive body criticised the alleged torture of labour activist Nodeep Kaur, who has been behind the bars for a month now, and demanded her early release. It passed a resolution expressing grief messages for those who died during the farmers’ protest in Delhi, including Navreet Singh of UP.

On Deep Sidhu’s arrest, she said, “I do not know the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident at the Red Fort complex. But the central authorities also failed to control those who proceeded towards the Red Fort. The incident of hoisting the Nishan Sahib should also not be used to detain and torture innocents,” she said.

Appreciating PM Modi for recognising the sacrifices made by the Sikhs during his address in Parliament, she stressed the impasse over the farm laws was a fight between the Centre and the farmers across the country. “It is unfortunate that the Centre was unmindful of resolving the farm issues. Those who were arrested must be freed instantly by scrapping all cases against them.”

The executive body also demanded the early release of Balwant Singh Rajoana, a convict in the Beant Singh assassination case. The SGPC is bearing a legal fee to the tune of Rs 11 lakh on every hearing in the case. “He should be released as the Supreme Court has already directed to commute his death sentence and he has already served the jail term,” she said.

On the commemoration of Saka Nankana Sahib’s centenary, the SGPC is all set to take a contingent to the shrine. However, since the SGPC has also decided to hold programme locally at Godharpur in Gurdaspur, the jatha to Nankana Sahib would be led by either the SGPC president or the Akal Takht officiating jathedar.

The SGPC has decided to hold gurmat programmes from February 19 to 21 at Godharpur.