Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Akal Takht Says Meeting Mann Won’t Secure Sikh Prisoners’ Release
The head of the Akal Takht, an important Sikh religious institution, told a Sikh representative not to meet Punjab’s chief minister about prisoners.
The representative had asked for permission to meet him.
The Akal Takht said it did not think the meeting would help free the prisoners.
It urged Sikh groups to work together and campaign for their release.
Its letter accused the Punjab government of not doing enough and of using the issue for political gain.
Those are the Akal Takht’s claims, not findings established in the article.
The letter mentioned several prisoners, including Davinderpal Singh Bhullar and Jagtar Singh Hawara.
It also said the government had supported and opposed parole in Hawara’s case.
The letter referred to state Assembly elections expected by February.
Akal Takht head Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj told SGPC member Karnail Singh Panjoli not to meet Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann about Sikh prisoners’ release.
The direction followed Panjoli’s October 6 request for permission to meet Mann.
The letter called for Sikh organizations to unite under the Akal Takht and pursue an organized campaign for the prisoners’ release.
It accused the Punjab government of failing to act during its tenure and of seeking political advantage before Assembly elections; these claims were made by the Akal Takht secretariat.
The letter cited cases involving Davinderpal Singh Bhullar and Jagtar Singh Hawara, and named several other prisoners whose release Sikhs are seeking.
- Who
- Akal Takht head Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, SGPC member Karnail Singh Panjoli, and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
- What
- The Akal Takht directed Panjoli not to meet Mann about the release of Sikh political prisoners and called for a united campaign.
- When
- The letter responded to Panjoli’s communication dated October 6; the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- Punjab, India.
- Why
- The Akal Takht said a meeting would not secure the prisoners’ release and could serve the state government’s political interests.
Akal Takht secretariat
Punjab government position
Whether a meeting with the chief minister would help
Akal Takht secretariat
The Akal Takht said there was no point in meeting Mann, questioned whether his government could secure the prisoners’ release, and urged a united campaign instead.
Punjab government position
The article reports that the Punjab government had offered assurances and, in Hawara’s parole case, had written in support of parole; it does not provide a direct response from the government to the letter.
The government’s handling of prisoner cases
Akal Takht secretariat
The Akal Takht accused the government of taking no steps during its tenure and alleged it was using the issue for political gain ahead of elections.
Punjab government position
The article does not include the government’s response to these allegations.
- Issuing body
- The secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib
- Akal Takht head
- Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj
- Recipient
- SGPC member Karnail Singh Panjoli
- Panjoli’s request
- Permission to meet Bhagwant Mann; his communication was dated October 6
- Prisoners mentioned
- Davinderpal Singh Bhullar, Jagtar Singh Hawara, Balwant Singh Rajoana, Jagtar Singh Tara, Paramjit Singh Bheora, and Gurdeep Singh Khera
- Election timing
- The article says Punjab goes to polls by February; it does not specify the year.
- Akal Takht’s proposed approach
- Bring Panthic organizations together under the Takht for an organized effort