Union Minister and senior BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu’s recent remarks supporting the release of “Bandi Singhs” may turn out to be the saffron party’s biggest attempt at wooing the Sikh electorate.
At the same time, the step can take the wind out of the sails of two “parallel” Akali Dals, besides the hardliner Amritpal Singh-led Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), who have been trying to champion the demand to release political Sikh prisoners — languishing in indifferent jails across the country.
Though the BJP has gained vote share in urban areas (bypolls and Lok Sabha elections), rural areas dominated by the Sikhs remain a big challenge.
“The issue had hit the headlines in 2015. At that time, more than 100 political Sikh prisoners were mentioned in the list. Later, it came down to 20 Bandi Singhs. Of these, 14 are still in jails,” said Advocate Jaspal Singh Manjhpur, who has been pursuing these cases.
And Bittu’s statement gains significance as seven of these 14 were jailed for being involved in assassination of his grandfather and Chief Minister Beant Singh.
In an interview with a TV channel on Sunday, Bittu said he had decided not to oppose the release of “Bandi Singhs”. “I have spoken with my family about it and they are in agreement,” stated Bittu, who had been opposing their release so far.
The convicts in the Beant Singh assassination case still languishing in jails include Balwant Singh Rajoana, Jagtar Singh Hawara, Lakhwinder Singh Lakha, Gurmeet Singh, Shamsher Singh, Paramjit Singh Bheora and Jagtar Singh Tara.
Welcoming Bittu’s statement, Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, a senior leader with the Giani Harpreet Singh- led Shiromani Akali Dal, said, “Punjab needs to move on and look forward to development. However, it remains to be seen if Bittu follows his statement with good intent.”