Illegal and inhumane methods have long been used to suppress those Sikhs who fight for their just rights. Imprisoning people under false charges for years is also common practice. One such example of this, is Bhai Bagicha Singh from Kenthal, Haryana. In the period of 5 years, from 2007 to 2012, the police charged him with 7 different cases in order to keep him caught up in the ‘system’ for years to come. The first case registered against him in 2007 was related to Ram Rahim of Sirsa. The cult leader hurt the sentiments of the Sikhs when he impersonated Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. As a show of protest a call was made for Punjab to be shut down. Bagicha Singh and his companions were adhering to this shut down in their local area. SSP Asthana of Patiala, stopped Bagicha Singh from doing this and ordered for a baton charge on those involved. In a further protest against the baton charge there were more clashes and several Sikhs were injured as well as the SSPs gunman. The police then fabricated a case and charged Bagicha Singh with attacking the SSP and injuring his gunman. Bhai Bagicha Singh was imprisoned in Patiala Jail under these false charges.

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Further to the bail release of Bhai Amarjit Singh from prison and as per the request of the Sangat that we take steps to help him rebuild his life we are delighted to confirm that we purchased a small pick-up truck for him, we have also found him employment with a local company for whom he will do deliveries that offer an earning potential of between Rs 30,000 – 40,000 per month which exceeds the current average pay of qualified teachers in Panjab. 

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WITH THE SANGAT’S HELP, AMARJIT SINGH MARORI TAKES THE FIRST STEPS TO RESTART HIS LIFE 

As part of the SOPW policy of REHABILITATION, we are pleased to announce the purchase of a tractor for Bhai Amarjit Singh Marori.

Amarjit Singh, who is in his early thirties, comes from the village of Marori in District Patiala. He was arrested in October 2008 and charged under Section 25, 54 & 59 of the Arms Act and Section 3, 4 & 5 of the Explosives Act.

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SOPW are delighted to announce that as part of our rehabilitation scheme, we have been able to purchase a small pick-up truck for Bhai Major Singh. Bhai Sahib served a total of twenty three years and one month in jail, despite being totally innocent, before he was released in August this year.

It is often the case that when the police arrest a political prisoner, they remove anything of value from their property, seize money/bank accounts or even land, take away their vehicles and even go to the extent of removing doors and taps from their houses – so they can be resold for money. Understandably, this is a huge setback for the family and adds to the anguish they are already facing.

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Mohinder Singh comes from the village of Asandh in Haryana. He ran a successful trucking business and also made a living working on his farmland.

On 2nd February 2008, there was an explosion among the cavalcade of cars carrying Gurmit Ram Rahim – the leader of a cult called ‘Dera Sach Sauda’ based in Sirsa. This notorious cult leader had earlier imitated the Sikhs tenth Guru, Gobind Singh, when he held a fake ‘Amrit Sanchar’ (baptism ceremony) where he posed as Guru Gobind Singh. Gurmit Ram Rahim is embroiled in scandal and allegations of two murders. The Dera Sacha Sauda cult has also been investigated for rape and sexual exploitation of over 50 women.

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Further to the prison release of Bhai Kulbir Singh Heera from Ludhiana Jail our volunteers met with him and discussed looking ahead at what his hopes were now he was back home with his family.
It is common practice in Panjab when police arrest Sikhs they seize as much of the prisoners possessions as possible, including any savings, work equipment, furniture even removing doors and piping, anything of value that will make life for the prisoners families as difficult as possible. 

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