Sikh and Human Rights Activists Condemn BJP's 'Badla' Stance at Panthic Summit in Jalandhar
In a sharp critique ahead of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) scheduled March 14 rally in Moga, which will be addressed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Sikh and human rights groups, along with activists, gathered at a Panthic summit held in Jalandhar on Thursday. The speakers collectively asserted that the BJP stands for 'badla' (revenge) rather than 'badlav' (change), challenging the party's narrative of transformation.
Call for Accountability on Repression and Impunity
The activists emphasized that before advocating for change in Punjab, the central government must address its own record on issues such as repression, impunity, transnational targeting, and democratic denials. Former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Ranjit Singh highlighted the grave concern of fake encounters and police impunity, stating that Punjab cannot progress by normalizing killings under the guise of maintaining order.
Criticism of Alleged Fake Encounters
Dal Khalsa functionaries Kanwarpal Singh and Paramjit Singh Mand took a firm stand against the practice of alleged fake encounters, arguing that law enforcement officials must not act as lawbreakers. They referenced the case of Ranjit Singh from Gurdaspur, a suspect in the February 21 killing of two police officers near the Pakistan border, who was fatally shot in an alleged encounter on February 25. The activists stressed that such matters should be adjudicated by the courts, not through extrajudicial means, with the encounter currently under judicial scrutiny.
Prominent Figures in Attendance
The summit saw the presence of notable individuals, including former MP Simranjit Singh Mann, Tarsem Singh (father of jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh), and SGPC member Karnail Singh Panjoli. Their participation underscored the broad-based concern within the Sikh community regarding governance and human rights issues in Punjab.
The event served as a platform to voice dissent against the BJP's political strategies, urging a shift from punitive measures to genuine reform and accountability in the region.
