'Only They Deserve Mercy Who Repent Their Crime': SGPC Criticises Home Minister Amit Shah's Statement In Parliament On Mercy Pleas

In an unexpected turn of events, Harjinder Singh Dhami, the president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), expressed surprise at Union Home Minister Amit Shah's recent parliamentary statement concerning the outstanding mercy petition of Balwant Singh Rajoana, the convicted assassin of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh.

Dhami, as reported by Indian Express, remarked that Shah's statement contradicts the essence of the government's own announcement and highlighted the growing sentiment among Sikhs who feel they are not receiving justice in their homeland.

The issue was brought to the forefront by Harsimrat Kaur Badal, a Member of Parliament from the Shiromani Akali Dal, who protested against the new criminal law's prohibition of anyone but family members making mercy appeals for a convict.

In response, Shah, though not directly mentioning Rajoana, emphasised that offenders who do not acknowledge their mistakes or express regret do not warrant forgiveness.

This development has disappointed both the SGPC and Shiromani Akali Dal-Badal, as they continue to advocate for the attention to be given to the matter of Sikh prisoners.

Dhami highlighted the constitutional validity of the call for the liberation of Sikh detainees, pointing out the government's approval in a 2019 notification commemorating the 550th Prakash Gurpurab (birth anniversary) of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

He urged the government to enforce the 2019 notification, which recommended the release of political inmates, including Devinder Pal Bhullar and Gurdip Singh Khera.

Dhami called on the government to initiate discussions concerning the matter of Sikh prisoners and revealed that a committee of five members, established by the Akal Takht Sahib, has requested a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The SGPC has compiled a list of 21 Sikh prisoners currently detained in various prisons, seeking resolution and justice for their cause.