Feb
9
Dal Khalsa leaders arrested
February 9, 2005 | Comments Off on Dal Khalsa leaders arrested
On January 31, Amritsar police arrested eleven leaders of the Dal Khalsa outside the Golden Temple on charges of unfurling a “saffron flag” on Republic day, delivering inflammatory speeches, and opening fire in to the air. An FIR was registered.
Among those who have been arrested are: Mr H. S. Dhami, working President, Dal Khalsa, Mr Satnam Singh Paunta Sahib, a hijacker, Mr Kanwarpal Singh, Mr Sarabjit Singh Ghuman and Mr Balraj Singh Bhalaipur. The other six persons who courted arrest are: Arpal Singh Ajnala, Subedar Baldev Singh, Giani Amrik Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Sarwan Singh and Gurdip Singh.
Before courting arrest, they performed ardas at Akal Takht where Mr Rajinder Singh, convener, Shiromani Khalsa Panchayat, was also present.
Satnam Singh Paunta Sahib said that his party would challenge the FIR in the High Court.
He said the police mentioned in the FIR that the case was registered on a tip-off that leaders of the Dal Khalsa were unfurling the ‘saffron flag’ and delivering inflammatory speeches. He claimed it was false as he had already announced about the programme at a press conference in Jalandhar.
He said they had not passed any remark against any religion or nation or their symbols but had given respect to ‘Nishan Sahib’ as per the Sikh tradition. About firing in air, he said it was always done during the unfurling of Nishan Sahib and even in marriage parties.
Because the Dal Khalsa leaders were targeted for their speeches, these arrests clearly demonstrate continuing restrictions on freedom of speech.
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