SAD’s Sukhbir Singh Badal condemns Central Govt for taking about turn on Rajoana in SC

Chandigarh, March 2: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the central government for taking an about turn on the release of Balwant Singh Rajoana in the Supreme Court and said this had hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community worldwide. 

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In a statement here, the SAD president said it was shocking that the central government had taken an about turn on the commitment made to release nine Bandi Singhs on the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji in 2019. He said a notification had also been issued on the occasion to pave the way for release of eight Sikh detainees immediately besides commuting the death sentence of Rajoana to life to secure his release also. 

Describing the affidavit filed in the Supreme Court in which Rajoana’s release has been opposed on the ground that it was a threat to national security, Sukhbir Badal said “this is most illogical and against the ground reality. It is also against the sentiments of the Sikh community which stands for a quick end to his ongoing incarceration”. He said Rajoana had completed a double life sentence in prison without parole and jailing him any further was a gross human rights violation.  

Asking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to explain why it had taken this anti Sikh step, Badal said “the same government earlier took a decision to commute the death sentence of Rajoana to pave the way for his release. The BJP should tell what has changed since 2019. The only perceptible change is that the Shiromani Akali Dal was in alliance with the BJP and part of the NDA government and had used its good offices to facilitate the release of the Sikh detainees. Discontinuance of this alliance should not result in persecution of the Bandi Singhs”, Badal asserted.