The Shiromani Akali Dal core committee on Sunday asked the Punjab government to take all possible legal and other steps to secure clemency for Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana.
The core committee fully endorsed the steps taken by the Punjab government in this regard so far. The core committee took note of the fact that the warrants of execution against Bhai Rajoana had been returned since it was legally not possible to execute them.
The committee appreciated the fact that the Punjab government had already taken a decision not to execute the death warrant against Bhai Rajoana and fully backed the efforts being taken by the government to secure clemency for him.
The core committee also asked the SGPC to immediately file a clemency appeal for Bhai Rajoana before the President of India.
At an emergency meeting convened and chaired by the SAD president, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, the core committee said that the party was prepared to “go to any extent to secure clemency for Bhai Rajoana so that the hard earned atmosphere of peace and communal harmony in the state is not disturbed.”
The CM disclosed that he would make a special statement on the subject on the floor of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday.
The core committee appealed to all political parties, organisations, institutions and citizens of the country to extend support for the cause of clemency for Bhai Rajoana to maintain peace and communal harmony in the state and the country.
Meanwhile, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt. Amarinder Singh Sunday appreciated and endorsed the stand taken by the family of late Sardar Beant Singh that the death sentence of Balwant Singh Rajoana be commuted to life imprisonment.
He also assured all support and cooperation to the state government, whether legal or by way of making an appeal to the President of India, in this regard.
Referring to the recent developments in the aftermath of the court orders directing hanging of Rajoana, Capt. Amarinder pointed out, “Sardar Beant Singh gave his life for peace in Punjab and the members of his family today are united in their belief that peace must be maintained in the state at all costs”, he said.