AMRITSAR, Punjab, India: Panthic Committee and All India Sikh Students Federation in a joint statement released to the press here expressed their happiness at the release of Bhai Jasbir Singh, Jathedar Akal Takht, Bhai Kashmir Singh, Bhai Jaswant Singh, Bhai Swinder Singh and Bhai Gurdev SIngh Kaunke. The Singh Sahibs were released on account of the sacrifices and the contribution of the freedom fighters and not because of Indian government’s magnanimity, they added.
While announcing that the Panthic Committee and the Federation will continue their efforts to secure the release of all other detained Sikhs, they asked the Sikhs to remain vigilant about the Akali moves.
They also said no settlement would be acceptable to them within the framework of a constitution under which our supreme temporal authority Akal Takht was destroyed, our Guru Granth Sahib was burnt, our women were dishonored and thousands of innocent Sikhs were killed.
If the government is prepared for negotiations, then, we are also not interested in any bloodshed. We only seek our fundamental rights and we must get them, the statement added.
Finally, the statement reiterated that they would follow the path shown by Sant Jarnail Singh KhaIsa Bhindranwale to achieve the goal of complete freedom. They hoped that Bhai Jasbir Singh and other Singh Sahibs will also continue their efforts in fulfilling the mission outlined by Sant Bhindranwale.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 11, 1988
