Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa will visit Golden Temple in Amritsar today to hold an “ardaas” (prayer) for the release of Sikh prisoners languishing in jails in spite of completing their sentence.
Bhai Sahib has recently expressed his last desire to visit Golden Temple following which it was decided to take a cavalcade to Amritsar on January 8.
Bhai Gurbaksh Singh has been on an indefinite fast for more than 50 days at Lakhnour Sahib Gurdwara here, demanding the release of Sikh prisoners who have completed their sentence but are still lodged in jail.
His supporters are expecting a huge turnout of sympathisers, as the cavalcade will pass through several cities in Punjab before reaching Amritsar. A cavalcade of nearly 20 vehicles will set off from Ambala at 9 am. More vehicles are expected to join the cavalcade on its way to Amritsar.
According to Tribune Chandigarh Newspaper, the local police and intelligence wing of the Punjab Police are maintaining a close watch on these developments. Arrangements are being put in place in view of the cavalcade turning into a procession.
His supporters said they had asked SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar to provide them a resting place on the Golden Temple premises from where Bhai Gurbaksh Singh could continue with his hunger strike. It has been learnt that Makkar turned down the plea on the grounds that huge crowd visit the shrine every day and no suitable place was available.
The supporters said it had been decided that Khalsa would return to Lakhnour Sahib on January 9 and continue with his Hunger strike there.
Meanwhile, Punjab Congress spokesperson Sukhpal Singh Khaira and general secretary Harmindar Singh Gill met Khalsa today. Khaira demanded Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to come to Lakhnaur Sahib to persuade Khalsa to end his Hunger Strike.
He said Badal and Akali leaders had been playing politics on the issue. He said recently, the SGPC had released a list of 96 prisoners lodged in various jails of Punjab despite completion of their terms.
He said if Badal was serious on the issue, he should release Sikh prisoners lodged in various jails of Punjab before taking up the release of other Sikh detainees with other state governments and the Centre.
“Makkar and Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh should first ensure that at least these prisoners are set free before taking up the matter with the governments of other states,” he added.