Patiala/Amritsar, September 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Tek Singh and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami met Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, who is facing a death sentence, at Central Jail, Patiala, to enquire about his health and circumstances. SGPC executive member Surjit Singh Garhi was also present during the meeting.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj said that Sikhs had never surrendered to conditions imposed by rulers in exchange for sparing their lives, but had instead embraced martyrdom. He said Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana was standing by this Sikh tradition and had made it clear that he did not seek mercy or the granting of a reprieve as a favour.
The Akal Takht Jathedar said the Central Government had yet to implement its 2019 announcement concerning Rajoana, made on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He said that more than six years had passed and 41 hearings had taken place in the Supreme Court in connection with the matter, yet no final decision had been taken by the government.
Giani Gargajj said the case of Rajoana, who has been in prison for around 32 years, should not be prolonged any further and called on the government to take an immediate decision.
He said Rajoana was in high spirits and remained devoted to the Guru. According to Giani Gargajj, Rajoana had also expressed concern over the fundamental rights of Jathedar Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara, who, he said, had not been granted parole to meet his elderly and ailing mother.
Describing the denial of parole as an injustice against Sikhs, Giani Gargajj said that if the government failed to decide Rajoana’s case in a timely manner, a meeting of the five Sikh high priests would be convened to consider the next course of action in accordance with Rajoana’s sentiments.
On the march scheduled for October 2 seeking the release of Sikh prisoners, Giani Gargajj said that just as the SGPC had extended its support to the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha, the Akal Takht also fully supported the march. He appealed to the media to give greater coverage to issues concerning the human rights of Sikh prisoners.
Referring to the legacy of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, who laid down his life for religious freedom, Giani Gargajj said it was a matter of concern that in the same country, Sikh prisoners had to wait for prolonged periods to meet their families and mothers. He urged governments to resolve cases involving Sikh prisoners without delay, keeping justice and humanitarian considerations in mind.
Addressing the media, SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said Rajoana had been in prison for nearly 32 years and had spent more than 19 years awaiting execution. He said Rajoana had specifically sought the early disposal of the petition filed by the SGPC in connection with his case.
Dhami said Rajoana maintained that whatever he had done in the service of the community was, in his view, right, and that he was not seeking any form of apology or pardon.
Emphasising the significance of martyrdom in Sikh tradition, Dhami said that while every person is born and eventually passes away, dedicating one’s life to the community is regarded as a central tenet of Sikhism. He said detailed discussions had been held with Rajoana about the overall situation and that a concrete decision would be taken soon.
Questioning the country’s legal and administrative framework, Dhami described the denial of parole to a prisoner seeking to meet his elderly mother as a violation of human rights. He questioned how justice could be expected in circumstances where a son was not allowed to meet his aged mother, calling the situation regrettable and wrong.
Dhami stressed that the matter was not merely an individual case but a broader community issue. He said the SGPC remained firmly committed to seeking the release of Rajoana, Jagtar Singh Hawara and all other Sikh prisoners. He reiterated the committee’s full support for the October 2 march being organised to seek their release.
He added that Rajoana was in high spirits and hopeful about the welfare and future of the Sikh community. Dhami said the final decision on the overall matter and the next course of action would rest with the five Sikh high priests, whose decision would provide guidance to the community.
FOLLOW NOW
