Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab—A number of prominent personalities from various Sikh organisations gathered today at Gurdwara Amb Sahib, Ajitgarh (Mohali), where an Akhand Path Sahib Bhog took place followed by speeches in support of the Sikh prisoners justice campaign.

Bhai Gurbaksh Singh, a Sikh activist, is currently on day 19 of a hunger protest with a pledge to carry on until death, unless authorities free 7 political Sikh prisoners that have long served their legal sentences, but still languish in Indian jails without good reason.

Bhai Gurbaksh Singh and the Sikh bodies have announced a peaceful March on 4 December 2013 in Punjab to highlight the justice campaign to free the 7 Sikh prisoners. The procession will commence promptly at 9:00am from Sri Akal Takht Sahib, travelling through the cities of Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Sumrala and Morinda, before finally ending at Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali.

After the speech by Bhai Gurbaksh Singh, Sikh Panthik preacher Baba Ranjit Singh Khalsa Dhadrianwale, who has personally known Bhai Sahib for many years, spoke at the gathering and told the Sangat how even 13 years ago the Sikh activist used to ask for, and be given ten minutes of stage time to speak about Panthik affairs after the Diwaans in the early days of their Parchar. Baba Ranjit Singh Khalsa, attending after a meeting with Bhai Sahib on 30 November to show solidarity with the cause of innocent Sikh prisoners, advised on the need to come on one platform for oneness in the nation and reminded the Sangat, “first we are Sikhs, and our organisations come second.”

Other prominent personalities in attendance were Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu (Panch Pardhani), Bhai Satnam Singh Paonta Sahib (Dal Khalsa), Bhai Harchranjit Singh Dhami (Dal Khalsa), Bhai Harpal Singh Cheema (Akali Dal Panch Pardhani), Baba Ram Singh (Damdami Taksal), Former IAS Gurtej Singh, Former DGP Shashi Kant, Human Rights Activists Advocate Navkiran Singh and Advocate Amar Singh Chahal, Sikh Scholar Bhai Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon, Bhai Gurpreet Singh Khalsa (Son of Baba Hari Singh Randhawe Wale) amongst others.

The [appointed] Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Singh Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh Khalsa, as well the SGPC President, Avtar Makkar, have also visited Bhai Sahib to discuss the peaceful campaign and enquire about his wellbeing.

In the meantime, Sikhs across the Diaspora outside India are active to support the campaign, with the UK population believed to be organising a demonstration in Birmingham on 3 December.