Dhian Singh Mand announces foot march to raise demand for release of Sikh prisoners

The ‘parallel’ acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Dhian Singh Mand, has announced that he will organise a ‘foot march’ demanding the release of Bandi Singhs — Sikh prisoners who remain in jail even after completing their terms.

The foot march would commence from Akal Takht on September 20 and reach Takht Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo and Takht Kesgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib before culminating at Akal Takht.

Addressing the media, he said that the Sikh community has been demanding the immediate release of Sikh prisoners for a long time now. They were still kept in detention even as their sentences were completed. He said though a number of times memorandums were submitted and protest marches were carried out, the governments have failed to pay any heed to their genuine demand.

“We have no other way but to come out on roads for the release of ‘Bandi Singhs’,” he pointed out.

Sharing details, he said the march would commence from the Sikhs’ highest temporal seat on September 20, reach Takht Damdama Sahib after various stages where they would hold ‘ardas’ for the release of Sikh prisoners. From there, it would go to Takht Kesgarh Sahib and an ardas would be held there as well.

Thereafter, it would return to Akal Takht, wherein various Sikh organisations, Taksals and sects would participate in the culmination programme. He invited all Sikh organisations to take part in the cause concerning the community.

He said a five-member committee is being constituted, which would approach various Sikh sects, organisations and Taksals to invite them for the foot march.