AMRITSAR – With the Haryana government shifting former militant Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa to an Ambala hospital, the campaign started by him to seek the release of Sikh detainees seems to have fizzled out. His supporters have failed to carry forward his struggle.
Sikh bodies supporting Khalsa admit that the agitation has lost steam.
Paramjit Singh Sarna, SAD (Delhi) president, said he had gone to Ambala today, but was not allowed to meet Khalsa. He said there was little doubt that the struggle waged by him for the release of Sikh detainees was dying down slowly.
“When Khalsa was on fast, he was drawing a huge support from various quarters. But things have changed now as there is none to lead the agitation,” he said.
Sarna said Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh should come forward to keep Khalsa’s struggle alive and nominate someone to resume the protest.
All-India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) chief Karnail Singh Peermohammed alleged that the Haryana Government’s move to admit Khalsa to a hospital was aimed at derailing his protest, which had drawn unprecedented support from Sikhs in India and those living abroad.
He alleged that Khalsa’s supporters who had gone to Delhi to continue the protest were not permitted to do so.
“Khalsa’s aides Gurinder Singh, Bagicha Singh Waraich and Gurpayar Singh were not allowed to stage a dharna at Jantar Mantar, following which they staged a dharna at Vishnu Garden Gurdwara.
“But the gurdwara committee didn’t give them permission to hold the protest,” he alleged.
Peermohammed said that the Punjab Government was to be equally blamed for the situation.
He accused the Badals of “shedding crocodile tears” on the issue. He said he feared for Khalsa’s life unless the SGPC shifted him to a hospital run by it.
He said the Akal Takht Jathedar should summon “Sarbat Khalsa” on important issues such as that of Sikh detainees, Nanakshahi calendar and the increasing drug addiction in Punjab.
