Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) president Giani Harpreet Singh on Tuesday criticised the grant of furlough to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, calling it “rubbing salt into the emotional wounds of Sikhs”.In a statement, Singh contrasted the decision with the govt’s refusal to grant parole to Jagtar Singh Hawara despite repeated demands from Sikh organisations and resolutions by village panchayats.“The elderly mother of Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara is waiting in the final stage of her life to meet her son. Panchayats across the district passed resolutions and submitted them to the government seeking his parole. All the leaders of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha are ready to take responsibility for his release. However, the government refused to grant him even ten days of parole,” he said.Singh said Sikh organisations had marched to the Governor House and a Punjab bandh had also been observed over the issue, but the govt remained unmoved.He questioned the repeated furloughs granted to Ram Rahim, recalling the violence following his conviction in which around 40 people were killed.“Yet today, without any valid reason, he is repeatedly being brought out of jail, despite being the principal accused in the incidents of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji,” Singh said.He warned political parties seeking power in Punjab against hurting Sikh sentiments.“Those dreaming of forming governments in Punjab must understand that by challenging the sentiments of Sikhs and helping someone accused in the sacrilege cases, they will not be able to secure even a foothold in Punjab,” he said.
