Balwant Singh Rajoana attends brother's antim ardas; Bikram Majithia describes him a true 'Bandi Singh'
Rajoana recalls events that led him to embrace what he termed a 'life mission' | Expresses gratitude to his family and Sikh community for standing by him through decades of incarceration
PTC Web Desk: Balwant Singh Rajoana, convicted for the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, stepped out of prison on Wednesday to attend the antim ardas of his brother Kulwant Singh at his native village, Rajoana Kalan, Ludhiana. Under tight security, he was escorted from Patiala Jail to Manji Sahib Gurdwara, where the ceremony was held.
This marks only the second time Rajoana has been allowed out of jail since his incarceration nearly 30 years ago. Earlier, he was granted parole in January 2022 to attend the last rites of his father. On this occasion, the Punjab and Haryana High Court approved his parole from 11 am to 2 pm, allowing him to pay his respects at his brother’s antim ardas.
Prominent figures such as Giani Raghbir Singh, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib; Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC); and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia were present at the ceremony.
Rajoana, addressing the gathering, highlighted the sacrifices of his family and the Sikh community. He emphasised the collective pain borne by his siblings and Sikh Panth. His two brothers, Gurmeet Singh and Shamsher Singh, both engineers, have also spent 30 years in prison for their involvement in various cases.
He spoke emotionally about his connection to the land, describing it as blessed by the footsteps of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Balwant Singh Rajoana recalled the events that led him to embrace what he termed a life mission. He credited the support of his family and the Sikh community for standing by him through decades of incarceration.
He also paid homage to his sister, Kamaldeep Kaur, who has been actively fighting for Sikh causes and described her as a pillar of strength in his life. Reflecting on his past, he recounted his journey with Dilawar Singh, who carried out a suicide bombing to assassinate Beant Singh in 1995. Rajoana remembered their shared resolve and unwavering commitment to what they saw as a mission to alleviate the pain of the Sikh community.
During the antim ardas ceremony, Bikram Singh Majithia lauded Rajoana’s steadfastness and courage, calling him a true Bandi Singh (a Sikh prisoner of conscience). Majithia flayed the Central government for allegedly failing to address the plight of Sikh prisoners who have spent decades in jail, some without resolution of their cases.
Majithia also noted hardships faced by the families of Sikh prisoners, urging the community to support them in every possible way. The SGPC, he highlighted, had hired one of the country’s top lawyers to defend Rajoana’s case.
Giani Raghbir Singh flayed disparity in parole policies. While Rajoana was granted only three hours of parole, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, a controversial figure convicted of heinous crimes, frequently receives parole.
Giani Raghbir Singh also criticised the historical injustices faced by Sikhs, referencing the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Operation Blue Star, and the rampant fake encounters that followed. He called for unity within the Sikh community and urged them to recognise and resist divisive forces.
Balwant Singh Rajoana has been in jail since his conviction in 1995 and was sentenced to death in 2007. His clemency plea has been pending for over 12 years, despite repeated appeals by Sikh organisations and leaders.
The Supreme Court recently referred his mercy plea to the President of India, directing the President’s office to make a decision within two weeks. The court also clarified that deciding on clemency petitions lies solely within the purview of the executive branch, limiting judicial intervention.
Rajoana’s lawyers have argued for his death sentence to be commuted to life imprisonment, citing the prolonged wait for execution as a form of mental torture.