[AUDIO] BBC Asia covered the issue of 85 year old Bapu Surat Singh’s hunger strike for the release of Sikh political prisoners. Bapu Surat Singh is now on his 124th day of his hunger strike to death.
On February 26, while he was attending to his father in the hospital, the police picked him up, along with three other visitors. Hours later, Surat Singh was forcibly anaesthetised and a feeding tube was pushed down his nose.
[VIDEO] I looked up Bhai Gurbaksh Singh, when I saw his photo. He had a very strong face with very soft eyes. I wanted to paint him and try to project his inner willpower onto the canvas. I wanted to show someone who was in pain but was beaming with positive energy amidst all of it.
The hunger strike was ended by members of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee members who had also visited Bhai GUrbaksh Singh during his last days at Gurdwara Lakhnaur Sahib.
Yesterday, hundreds of Australian activists gathered in front of the Canberra Indian Embassy. Ottawa Sikhs completed day 22 of chain hunger strike outside Indian embassy in solidarity with Gurbaksh Singh and his movement.
"...this year my family has decided that we will not indulge in any kind of extravagant celebrations on Lohri. Instead, we will collectively pray for the release of the Sikh prisoners and also for the health of Gurubaksh Singh Khalsa."
On Saturday, a doctor came for a medical checkup of Bhai Khalsa and asked oxygen was given to him. Just after half an hour another team of doctors arrived who said that Bhai Khalsa had to be admitted to hospital. As far as the health condition of Bhai Khalsa, it is reportedly stable now.
Despite the popular support and the media attention on the issue, the government has yet to offer a response to the human rights community... as Khalsa enters the ninth week of his hunger strike, it remains to be seen...
Sikh activist Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa, who was to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple today, could not make it to Amritsar. There were reports that his supporters were headed towards the city.
What kind of love is this? For one man to give up his own life for the freedom of others! A love that stretches beyond the self so that the self has no meaning unless it is with the sangat.
While demanding release of Sikh political prisoners languishing in Indian jails even after serving the terms of their sentences, the Maritime Sikh Society (Halifax, Canada) has extended support of Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa and the ‘Bandi Singhs Rihai Morcha’.
Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa has been admitted to the hospital for having a severe stomach ache. As reported by the Punjab Spectrum, Bhai Gurbaksh Singh’s condition is not critical.
Bhai Gurbakash Singh Khalsa whose persistent efforts culminated in the release of four Sikhs on parole, announced this was not the end of his struggle.
In the last few weeks, the story of Bhai Gurbaksh Singh and his hunger strike have become a focus for many people within the Sikh community. A hunger strike is a time-honored tactic of non-violent protest, meant to bring attention to political or human rights issues.
Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Ji was forcefully arrested by undercover intoxicated Punjab Police officers from Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohalli, Punjab is in custody of Punjab Police, in Ropar Jail.
The Sikh nations esteemed Parchaarak Baba Ranjit Singh Khalsa Dhadrianwale is believed to have visited Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa earlier this morning at Gurdwara Amb Sahib, Ajitgarh (Mohali).
