Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Congress Signals Support for Release of Sikh Prisoners
In Punjab, a state in India, there are some Sikh prisoners known as "Bandi Singhs" that many people want to be released.
It is a very emotional issue there, and everyone is talking about it because state elections are coming in 2027.
The Congress party now says it has never been against releasing these prisoners.
Gurkirat Singh Kotli, a former Congress leader whose grandfather Beant Singh was a former chief minister, said his whole family would not block the release.
He even said they were ready to give a written promise that they have no problem with it.
Other political parties are also showing their support for the prisoners.
The chief minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann, asked the state governor to release them.
A former BJP minister also asked the governor to help release a prisoner named Jagtar Singh Hawara.
The Shiromani Akali Dal keeps demanding pardon and release for a prisoner named Balwant Singh Rajoana.
All four major parties are competing to show they support the prisoners to win people's support in the next elections.
Congress leaders Gurkirat Singh Kotli and Charanjit Singh Channi said the party has never opposed the release of Sikh prisoners.
Kotli, grandson of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, said the entire Beant Singh family would never be an obstacle and was ready to give written consent.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of the AAP met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to press for the release of Sikh prisoners.
Former BJP minister Ravneet Singh Bittu urged the Governor to facilitate the release of Jagtar Singh Hawara, convicted for murdering Beant Singh.
The Shiromani Akali Dal has consistently demanded clemency for Balwant Singh Rajoana and accused successive governments of delaying justice.
- Who
- Congress leaders Gurkirat Singh Kotli and Charanjit Singh Channi, along with Punjab's other major parties (AAP, BJP, Shiromani Akali Dal)
- What
- Political parties in Punjab are signalling support for the release of Sikh prisoners (Bandi Singhs)
- When
- Ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections
- Where
- Punjab, India, with the statement made at a rally in Khanna
- Why
- Parties are competing to connect with Sikh sentiments as the issue gains political momentum before elections
Release Supporters
Sceptics and Observers
Congress' historical stance on Bandi Singhs
Release Supporters
Congress says it has never stood in the way of the release of Sikh prisoners, and the entire Beant Singh family is ready to give written no-objection consent.
Sceptics and Observers
The Shiromani Akali Dal has accused successive governments of delaying justice in prisoner cases, challenging how much Congress and other governments truly support release.
Seeking release for murder-convicted prisoners
Release Supporters
AAP and BJP leaders asked the Punjab Governor to facilitate releases, including of Jagtar Singh Hawara, treating the issue as emotionally significant for the Sikh community.
Sceptics and Observers
Bittu's appeal to facilitate the release of Hawara, convicted of murdering former Chief Minister Beant Singh, surprised many political observers, highlighting the politically sensitive nature of such releases.
- Key development
- Congress says it has never opposed the release of Bandi Singhs
- Main speaker
- Gurkirat Singh Kotli, former Congress MLA and grandson of Beant Singh
- Rally location
- Khanna, Punjab
- Election context
- 2027 Punjab Assembly elections
- Parties involved
- Congress, AAP, BJP, Shiromani Akali Dal
- Prisoners named
- Jagtar Singh Hawara, Balwant Singh Rajoana
- Other key actions
- AAP CM Bhagwant Mann met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria; BJP's Ravneet Singh Bittu met the Governor