Death row convict Rajoana calls for Sikh unity to fight ‘conspiracy’

Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict in the case of the assassination of former chief minister Beant Singh, on Wednesday urged Sikhs to unite and strengthen their organisations for the survival of the community. Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict in the Beant Singh assassination case, attending the prayer meet of his brother, Kulwant Singh, at a gurdwara in Ludhiana on Wednesday. Rajoana, who is in jail since his arrest in December 1995, was brought to his native village after the Punjab and Haryana high court granted him parole for three hours to attend the prayer meet following Kulwant Singh’s death on November 4. Yet, I harbour no animosity towards anyone.” He criticised those who initially supported him but later turned against him, saying, “People who promised to honor us with gold for completing our task, threw stones at us after our conviction.” SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami praised Rajoana for his services to the Sikh community, saying, “Had Rajoana not fought for the panth, the situation for Sikhs would have been far worse.” Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh questioned the disparity in granting parole, highlighting that while Rajoana received only three hours to attend his brother’s bhog, Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, convicted of serious crimes, including rape and murder, has been granted parole multiple times.