Sikh groups demand deletion of Dal Khalsa chief patron Gajinder Singh's name from India's most wanted list

A section of Sikh leaders have demanded that the government of India should delete the name of Gajinder Singh the chief pattern of "Dal Khalsa" from India's most wanted list.

India asked. Pakistan to handover the 20 most wanted fugitives who are in Pakistan and Gajinder Singh was one of them.

Gajinder Singh was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pakistan special court in the 1981 hijacking case. Since his release from Pakistani prison in 1995, he is staying in exile.

The head of the Damdami Taksal, Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa , and SGPC executive member Karnail Singh Panjoli today released the book titled 'Supne ton Sangarsh val' (From Dream to Struggle) - authored by Dal Khalsa mentor Gajinder Singh, whose name figured in the list of 20 most wanted persons handed over to Pakistan.

Notably, Gajinder Singh was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pakistan special court in the 1981 hijacking case. Since his release from Pakistani prison in 1995, he has not come out openly about his present address. .

Various leaders of Sikh organisations today assembled at the "B" block Gurdwara at Amritsar to release one another book of Gajinder Singh .The book is a compilation of poems written during Gajinder Singh's incarnation and exile period. The organisers say that the book has been dedicated to the wisdom of Sirdar Kapur Singh and bravery of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale.

Sikh leaders present there were of the considered opinion that Gajinder should have the freedom to choose his resident status. Representatives of various groups urged the UN to ensure that civil and political rights of Gajinder are restored and he should be granted full liberty to pursue his personal and political life, without fear and intervention of any kind.

Kanwer Pal Singh the spokesperson of Dal Khalsa said that it was totally unjustified and against all canons of jurisprudence and government of India should delete his name from the most wanted list.

"What are the international rights of a hijacker who has undergone imprisonment terms and why should governments continue to hound such a person' he asked.

Baba Harnam Singh the chief of Damdami Taksal expressed his appreciation for Gajinder's commitment, farsightedness and political wisdom.

Former IAS official Gurtej Singh, human rights activist Prof Jagmohan Singh, Sikh Nationalist leader Bhai Daljeet Singh and SGPC member Panjoli have written in the preface of the book. They lauded the dedication and zeal shown by Gajinder Singh Former Minister Manjit Singh Calcutta, Youth leader Mandhir Singh and Bhai Mohkam Singh also attended the function.