Hyderabad, May 3 (INN): The Sikh community of Andhra Pradesh held strong protest demonstrations over the brutal and inhuman killing of Sarabjit Singh in a Pakistani jail. The Sikhs also protested over the acquittal of former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar who was acquitted by the Delihi High Court in the 1984 Sikh riots case.
Hundreds of Sikhs members gathered near the Gurudwara Guru Singh Sabha, Ashok Bazar, Afzalgunj with banners and placards and raised anti-Pakistan and anti-Congress government slogans against the brutal killing of Sarabjit Singh in Pakistan jail. They also set ablaze the effigy of Pakistan government.
"The Centre has failed to initiate effective diplomatic steps to check the harassment of Indian prisoners in jails of Pakistan," General Secertary of Guru Singh Sabha, S Inderjeet Singh Tuteja said. He asked the Centre to ensure the safety of all Indian nationals languishing in Pakistani Jails," Previously, Indian prisoner Chamel Singh had been killed in a similar manner," he said, adding that Indian prisoners were not safe in the jails of Pakistan. The protesters demanded an a probe by an international organisation into the matter.
The Sikh community members also burnt the effigy of Sajjan Kumar and raised slogans against the Congress party and Sajjan Kumar and demanded action against other accused in riot cases, including Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, who is accused of instigating a mob that led to the murder of three men in a Gurdwara in North Delhi on November 1, 1984.
They shouted slogans carrying placards like 'Hang 1984 Culprits' and 'Give us Justice'.
"After 30 years we are yet to get justice. Government should feel ashamed. We will never forget and forgive who allowed culprits get scot free. We want justice," Gurudwara President S Kuldeep Singh Bagga said.
Raising anti-government slogans, the protesters termed the acquittal of the Congress leader as an "injustice" to the Sikh community in the country. "Injustice has been done with us. The judgment has shown that Sikhs are second class citizens of the country", Singh said.
"Over 3000 Sikhs were killed on the roads of Delhi-they were brutally murdered-their houses were burnt down," he said, adding the judgment has shocked the entire Sikh community, who were hoping for justice. "We will fight back. We want justice. We don't have any faith in the Congress government", he said.
"Hearts of all Sikhs are weeping over the judgment," Tuteja said.
Photo courtesy: S Bachan Jeet Singh