Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Avtar Singh Makkar on Wednesday welcomed union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde's statement that the Centre would examine the demand for clemency to death-row convict Devinderpal Singh Bhullar.
Talking to mediapersons here, Makkar said the SGPC would petition the President within two days, seeking clemency for Bhullar.
Makkar said if the death sentence of Kishori Lal, convicted of the murder of 34 Sikhs during the 1984 riots, could be commuted, why should it not be done in the case of Bhullar, who was "absolutely innocent".
When asked about Sehajdhari Sikh Party president Paramjit Singh Ranu's statement regarding meetings with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on voting right for Sehajdharis in the SGPC elections, Makkar said the SAD president had not informed him about such meetings.
Makkar said Ranu had held many meetings with him and told him that they would make a submission in the court to allow the new SGPC House to function.
Makkar said he had told Ranu that they could make such a submission in the court and the SGPC would accept the court's verdict. However, Sehajdharis could not be given voting rights in the SGPC elections as they were not Sikhs, he added.
{{/usCountry}}Makkar said he had told Ranu that they could make such a submission in the court and the SGPC would accept the court's verdict. However, Sehajdharis could not be given voting rights in the SGPC elections as they were not Sikhs, he added.
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