Hunger Strike & Protests Launched by Sikh Organizations

Delhi Sangat at June 23rd Hunger Strike and Protest against Sirsa Cult
(Photo Courtesy of : Proud Khalsa Network)

Chandigarh, Punjab (KP) – Several Sikh organizations in Delhi and Punjab launched hunger strikes and demonstrations to protest the Government's and Police's inaction against the criminal Sirsa based Sauda cult.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in New Delhi on June 23rd, that included activists from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Damdami Taksal, and the Shahbaaz Khalsa organization, and the local sangat. Shahbaaz Khalsa also organized a slide show depicting the blasphemous activities of the Sirsa 'Baba' and his cult.

In Punjab, during a press conference organized by SAD (Panch Pardhani), Daljit Singh Bittu, the party chairman, announced that his party members would go on an indefinite hunger strike in front of the New Delhi Parliament House starting July 20 if the Sacha Sauda Dera Chief was not arrested. Bhai Bittu's party further demanded the return of all materials acquired from the Sikh Reference Library during Operation Blue Star.

Bhai Bittu told the press that the former Defense Minister George Fernandez had admitted that the Indian Army had taken possession of various documents and Sikh scriptures from the Sikh Reference Library before destroying it. While demanding the return of all these documents and hand written saroops of Guru Granth Sahib, Bhai Bittu told the press that ardas will be performed at Sri Akal Takht Sahib on July 19 to seek the blessings of Guru Granth Sahib Ji for the achievement of the mission.

In relation to the possible arrest of the Dera Chief, Daljit Singh Bittu held that there was credible evidence available that suggested the Dera Chief's involvement in murder and rape cases. Furthermore, the Dera Chief had hurt sentiments of the Sikh community several times for which he should be arrested immediately.

Several organizations have launched activities to seek the arrest of the Dera Chief ever since the Mumbai shootings. Protests against the Dera Chief are still simmering in parts of the country but no action has been taken to punish Gurmeet Ram Rahim for his wrongdoings.