The Sikhs are so used to being cheated by the government of India that India revels in so doing, time and again, even if it is the auspicious occasion of the 550 years of Guru Nanak or the life of a death-row convict. The prevarication of the government of India in the case of Balwant Singh Rajoana’s death sentence commutation reached its peak yesterday when the Indian Home Minister -Amit Shah while replying to a question in Parliament categorically stated that ‘no pardon has been granted and please do not be misled by media.’

BALWANT SINGH RAJOANA DIES EVERY DAY as his life hangs by a thread with the Indian government playing ping-pong with his life. Lodged in the Patiala Central Jail since 24 years, he is the only Sikh prisoner on the death row, whose death sentence was announced to be commuted on 30 September 2019 by the Indian Home Ministry and now due to an unclear, unscheduled answer to an unlisted question during Question hour yesterday in the Indian Parliament, the Indian Home Minister Amit Shah said, “do not be misled by media reports, there is no pardon.”

After befooling the Sikhs, rubbing salt on the wounds of families of the prisoners and gaining positive publicity in the media that such a commutation was about to happen, the BJP government has backtracked without explanation.

Balwant Singh Rajaona, as is his wont, continues to display exemplary joi de vivre –Chardikala -for someone on the death row for long. His letters, his outpourings during court hearings are an indication that he is not overawed by the prevarication of the powers that be.  

What the Home Minister has not clarified is that there never was a question of pardon, it was only the announcement of commutation made by his ministry on 30 September 2019, ostensibly as a concession to Sikhs on the occasion of 550 years of Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary. By giving an incomplete answer, the Home Minister has confounded the issue.

Balwant Singh Rajaona, as is his wont, continues to display exemplary joi de vivre –Chardikala –for someone on the death row for long. His letters, his outpourings during court hearings are an indication that he is not overawed by the prevarication of the powers that be in his case.

Former police constable Balwant Singh Rajoana along with Jagtar Singh Hawara and others was awarded the death penalty in the case of the assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh in 1995. Significantly, throughout the trial and right up to the Supreme Court, Rajaona did not plead his case.  Also, all other accused’s death sentence has been commuted into life imprisonment.

Notwithstanding the rather loose handling of the case by the Indian government, Sikhs will rally behind Balwant Singh Rajoana.  Not knowing where to look, Bhartiya Janata Party’s ally in Punjab -the Shiromani Akali Dal Badal, which at one time spearheaded a full-scale campaign in Rajoana’s favour, now in the words of party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, feels ‘sad at the announcement made by Amit Shah.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why did the state issue order on 30 September for commutation of Rajoana’s death sentence? Was the under-secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs of the government of India testing waters for the government or was the government of India taking Sikhs for a ride on the holy occasion of 550 years of Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary? If the Home Minister’s reply on the floor of the Parliament was inadequate, why has the Home Ministry not clarified? Why is the state of Punjab also silent on the matter?

Those in the Congress party baying for Rajoana’s blood have not appreciated the fact that he was arrested in 1995 and awarded the death penalty in July 2007. It took another 5 years for the system to announce his hanging on 31 March 2012. The noose was off-the-hook on 28 March 2012 upon mercy petition by SGPC. Since then, 7 years have passed. How long can he serve on the death row fearing that he will go to the gallows the next day?

It is clear to Balwant Singh Rajoana, his family and to the Sikh world that whether it is condonation of the sentence or its commutation, the Indian state has a duty towards an individual on the death-row for long and it is not a concession for which the entire community can be befooled or even taken for granted.

In an attempt to win over the goodwill of the Sikhs, on the occasion of the 550^th year of Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary, the Narendra Modi-led BJP government announced remission for certain prisoners, either on the death row or who have served long sentences beyond their terms.  No commutation. No release. Will someone be released? Will Rajoana’s sentence be commuted? The silence is killing.

It is clear to Balwant Singh Rajoana, his family and to the Sikh world that whether it is condonation of the death sentence or its commutation, the Indian state has a duty towards an individual for long on the death-row and the remission is not a concession for which the entire community can be befooled or even taken for granted.