BJP’s Sikh leaders are calling for the release of Sikh political prisoners — but is it legal progress or political performance?
The issue of Sikh Political Prisoners (Bandi Singhs) has long been a core concern of the Sikh community. Many of these individuals are serving life sentences, and their release largely depends on the political will of the Indian government, particularly the Centre.
In recent times, BJP Sikh leaders have publicly demanded the release of Prof. Davinderpal Singh Bhullar and other Bandi Singhs. Following a recent Delhi High Court order directing the Delhi Sentence Review Board to reconsider Prof. Bhullar’s case for permanent release, journalist Mandeep Singh speaks with Advocate Jaspal Singh Manjhpur to unpack the legal complexities and political motivations surrounding this issue.
As the geopolitical landscape of South Asia changes rapidly, the BJP government seems to be pursuing a multi-layered strategy on Sikh issues. While it faces criticism for foreign interference and transnational repression, it also presents itself as attempting to resolve “long-pending” Sikh demands such as the release of Sikh political prisoners.
Yet, past experiences show that judicial interventions have often proven more effective than political promises in ensuring the release of Bandi Singhs. With the Delhi High Court’s directive and fresh statements from BJP’s Sikh leaders, the community now watches closely to see whether words will turn into action in the cases of Prof. Bhullar and other Sikh political prisoners.
