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Centre opposing Rajoana’s release illogical: Sukhbir
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday condemned the central government for “taking a U-turn” on the release of Balwant Singh Rajoana in the Supreme Court.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday condemned the central government for “taking a U-turn” on the release of Balwant Singh Rajoana in the Supreme Court and said this had hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community.
In a statement, the SAD president said it was shocking that the central government had taken an about turn on the commitment made to release nine Sikh prisoners on the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak in 2019.
He said a notification had also been issued on the occasion for release of eight Sikh detainees and commuting the death sentence of Rajoana to life to secure his release also. Rajoana is one of the assassins of chief minister Beant Singh and was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2007.
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 said, “It 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, Sukhbir added.
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”, SAD president 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”, he asked.
“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,” saId Sukhbir.
