Akal Takht Jathedar Directs SGPC Member Karnail Singh Panjoli Not to Meet CM Bhagwant Mann Over Bandi Singhs’ Release

Amritsar, October 10 , Kanwar Partap Singh / Tajeemnoor Kaur— The Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj has directed Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Karnail Singh Panjoli to refrain from meeting Punjab chief minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann over the issue of release of Sikh prisoners, citing he is declarad as “Guru Dokhi and Khalsa Panth Virodhi” by Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
In a letter to Karnail Singh Panjoli, the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib said the entire Panth needed to unite and launch an organised struggle under the leadership of Sri Akal Takht Sahib to secure the release of the Bandi Singhs.
The letter was issued in response to Panjoli’s communication dated October 6, seeking permission to meet the CM. It stated that, as a member and representative of the SGPC, a Sikh religious institution, it was his primary responsibility to comply with the directives of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and uphold them.
Questioning the rationale behind meeting the CM, the letter said Sri Akal Takht Sahib had declared him “Guru Dokhi and Khalsa Panth Virodhi”. It alleged that the Punjab government was politicising the issue of the Bandi Singhs’ release and said participating in its efforts to advance political interests would amount to turning back on Sri Akal Takht Sahib. Panjoli was asked to consider whether the state government could secure the release of Sikh prisoners who had been incarcerated for three decades or more during the few months remaining in its tenure.
The letter also directed those, particularly Sikh personalities, who meet the CM to ask their conscience whether a person described as “Guru Dokhi” could deliver justice to the Bandi Singhs. It questioned whether the prisoners would accept Sikh personalities making appeals before someone declared “Guru Dokhi and Khalsa Panth Virodhi” by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, 

asking that such actions would hurt Sikh pride and dignity.
Describing the Bandi Singhs as warriors and heroes of the Sikh community, the letter said Sikhs had consistently raised their voice for their release. It alleged that the Punjab government had taken no steps on the issue during its nearly five-year tenure and was now attempting to gain political mileage by offering assurances to Sikhs ahead of the Assembly elections.
The letter also raised the case of Prof Devinderpal Singh Bhullar, alleging that the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government had failed to approve his release despite having the authority to decide the matter. It claimed that his file had either been rejected or kept pending at different stages.
Referring to Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara, the letter said his elderly and ailing mother had been waiting for a long time to meet her son, but he had not been granted parole for the meeting. Questioning the government's position, it alleged that while the government had written in support of parole, it had also opposed it.
The letter further alleged that false cases had been registered against Sikh youths in Punjab, leading to their imprisonment, and reports of fake police encounters had also emerged. Describing these as serious human rights concerns, it said expecting such government to protect the human rights of Bandi Singhs was futile under the circumstances.
The communication named Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara, Bhai Jagtar Singh Tara, Bhai Paramjit Singh Bheora and Bhai Gurdeep Singh Khera among those whose release the Sikh community had been demanding. It also acknowledged the struggle being undertaken by the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha and said Sri Akal Takht Sahib supported its efforts.
The Secretariat reiterated that all Panthic organisations needed to come together under the banner of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and pursue the release of Bandi Singhs through a coordinated movement rather than separate initiatives. It cited the Tamil Nadu government's efforts to secure the release of convicts in the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi case as an example of government intervention in such matters.
Referring to the forensic examination of a controversial video involving the Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, the letter claimed that an attempt was subsequently made to challenge Sri Akal Takht Sahib through fabricated reports prepared in Gurugram. It added that Haryana Police had registered a case in connection with the alleged fabrication of the reports.
Directing Sikh personalities to reconsider their decisions to meet the tainted CM, the letter stated that governments were temporary, whereas Sri Akal Takht Sahib was the eternal seat of Sikh authority. It emphasised that the struggle for the release of Bandi Singhs should move forward through Panthic unity, with the supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib remaining paramount.