Jan 28, 2014 - AMRITSAR: Finally, Delhi's ruling Aam Admi Party (AAP) has taken notice of hunger strike by France based human right organization Aurore-Dawn president Iqbal Singh Bhatti and have assured to deliver justice with respect to his demands in a sympathetic and time bound manner.
AAP's chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in a letter written to Bhatti informed that his government was sympathetic to the issues raised by him and would take necessary steps to ensure full justice.
Bhatti had been sitting on hunger strike since December 5th, first at Gurdwara Sant Baba Prem Singh, Paris, France and then continued his fast at Jantar Mantar from January 1st and had lost nearly 18 kilogram of weight. His demand includes setting up of fast track court to bring perpetrators of 1984 anti Sikh riot victims to justice, setting up of Special Investigation Team (SIT) for investigation of the riots, release of death convict Devinderpal Singh Bhullar and scrapping of black list which prevent certain Sikhs living abroad to visit India.
However Kejriwal writes in the letter that the issues involved were very complex and required consultations at various levels. "We will try to find the solutions sooner" reads the letter.
He also informed Bhatti that Delhi government had already recommended to the president for the release of Bhullar and would also be working on other issues including formation of SIT etc. in a sympathetic and time bound manner.
Arvind Kejriwal had visited Bhatti twice when he was sitting on hunger strike in Jantar Manter from May 8th to 30th demanding release of Bhullar and had also sent two of his MLA's to meet Bhatti a few days ago.
"This is for the first time that any government has given written assurance to resolve Sikhs issues and I see a ray of hope" said Bhatti while talking to TOI on Tuesday. He said he would hold a meeting with various Saints on Wednesday to decide over his hunger strike.
"But still there are demands like scrapping of black list but that comes in purview of Center government, we might chalk out another agitation programme against Center government in our tomorrow's meeting" he said.
President of All India Sikh Students Federation (Peermohammad) Karnail Singh Peermohammad said it was encouraging step by Delhi government but final decision about their agitation would be taken on Wednesday.