The five Sikh high priests have decided to seek opinions of religious, social and political organisations.
The five Sikh high priests, in a meeting at Akal Takht, on Tuesday decided to seek written suggestions from different religious, social and political organisations on the issue of hanging former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh’s assassin Balwant Singh Rajoana. According to the court order, Balwant is set to be hanged on March 31.
The Sikh clergy said the suggestions should reach the Akal Takht by 11 am on March 23. It was decided in the meeting that after going through the suggestions and having discussions, the Sikh community will be apprised of the decision of Akal Takht. The five Sikh high priests said legal opinions from different quarters should also be presented before the Akal Takht.
Condemning “certain individuals and organisations who had offered to act as hangman for Balwant”, the meeting also decided to direct the managing committees of gurdwaras across the world to pray for Balwant by beginning a three-day Akhand Path from March 23.
Terming the Balwant’s death sentence as another cruel step after the 1984 genocide, the Sikh clergy said: “If Balwant is hanged, it will inflict unforgettable wounds on the Sikh psyche and Sikhs will all the more believe that there are two laws in India and they are being treated in a step-motherly fashion.”
