Sikh clergy calls for repealing death sentence of terrorist

Amritsar, Oct 13 (UNI) Expressing their opposition to capital punishment, the Sikh Clergy today called for repealing the death sentence awarded to Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) terrorist Davinderpal Singh Bhullar.

'' We appeal to all Sikh 'jathebandis' (organisations) to use their influence to get the death sentence of Bhullar commuted to life imprisonment,'' a 'sandeshi' (message) to various Sikh religious, social and political organisations issued on the letter head of the Akal Takht here stated.

The 'sandeshi' was issued after a meeting of the five Sikh head priests at the Akal Takht in the Golden Temple complex here. The meeting was presided by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vidanti and included the Jathedar's of Takht Keshgarh Sahib, Takht Damdama Sahib and Takht Patna Sahib in Patna and a representative of Takht Hazoor Sahib in Nanded (Maharashtra).

The 'sandeshi' of the clergy was directed at various Sikh groups including the prominent ones like the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) headed by former Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal and other Akali parties. The message also mentioned the names of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandik Committee (SGPC) and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC).

Bhullar was handed out the death sentence by a Delhi Court for his involvement in the 1993 attack on the then All India Youth Congress chief Maninderjit Singh Bitta at the Youth Congress headquarters in New Delhi. While Bitta was sverely injured, the attack left several dead including security personnel.

The death sentence of the KLF terrorist was upheld by the Supreme Court. His mercy petition is currently pending with the President.

This is for the first time that the Sikh clergy has issued such a 'sandesh'. No such appeal was issued when Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh, the assassins of the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, were awarded the death penalty and were subsequently hanged.

Similarly no appeal was made when top terrorists Harjinder Singh Jinda and Sukha were awarded the death sentence after being found guilty of assassinating former Indian army chief Gen A S Vaidya.

Ever since Bhullar was awarded the death sentence, the SAD, the SGPC and other Sikh organisations have made seprate appeals to the President to convert the death sentence to life imprisonment. Bitta however, has expressed his opposition to this and contended that the terrorist should be hanged and no mercy should be shown.

UNI XC-HS YA RS2025