Delhi Court Sentences Sajjan Kumar to Double Life Imprisonment

On 25 Feb, the special Rouse Avenue Court, New Delhi sentenced former Indian National Congress (INC) leader Sajjan Kumar double life imprisonment for the murder of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh in Delhi's Saraswati Vihar during the 1984 Sikh genocide. Kumar is already serving a life sentence in Tihar Jail for the killing of five Sikhs at Raj Nagar. The First Information Report in the case was filed in 1991. Advocates Harvinder Singh Phoolka, Kamna Vohra, Gurbax Singh, and their team fought the case in the court headed by Justice Kaveri Baweja. After the sentence, Advocate Phoolka said, 'Two life sentences have been awarded. One for the murders and another for arson and looting of homes. In the case of beating up Jaswant Singh’s wife (name withheld), Kumar has been sentenced another 10 years. In their judgement, the judge responded to both the survivor families and the Indian Union government demand for death sentence to Kumar. The judge took cognisance of the Tihar jail report that Kumar is 80 years old, has many illnesses, cannot carry out his daily ablutions. That is why he has been sentenced to double life imprisonment, not death. This is equivalent to daily death for Kumar.' In total Kumar is now serving three life sentences. Ironically, Indian mainstream media is saying it is one sentence for two murders. The case will have bearings on another ongoing case against INC leader Jagdish Tytler. Separately, during the hearing on a Public Interest Litigation filed in 2016 by Gurlad Singh Kahlon, on implementation of Justice Shiv Narain Dhingra committee’s recommendations on 1984 Sikh genocide cases, India’s Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told the Bench that Delhi Police will challenge six past acquittals.

A Panjab government notification revealed that a department assigned to minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal does not exist. Dhaliwal has supposedly been heading the dept. of Administrative Reforms for the last 20 months. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) responded that the dept. has been ‘restructured’. Dhaliwal downplayed the controversy, ‘For me, the department is not important; Panjab is important.’ The administrative fiasco revealed that Dhaliwal never convened staff sessions for the phantom dept. This has spurred fresh criticism from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) who labeled the missing dept. a governance failure. Bathinda’s SAD Member of Parliament Harsimrat Kaur Badal said, ‘Allocate non-existent departments to ministers who themselves are ignorant of the portfolios they hold. All this is happening because ministers have no role in governance as the govt. is being run through remote control from Delhi.’ On 19 Feb, AAP’s ex-Delhi Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Manish Sisodia visited schools in Panjab incurring criticism from the Democratic Teachers Front for ‘blatant interference.’ After the AAP lost the Delhi election, the party seems to take interest in Panjab and save its last bastion. Three years have gone by since AAP assumed power, in the next two years the party wants to strengthen its anti-corruption image. After suspending the Muktsar Deputy Commissioner for alleged irregularities, the Panjab govt dismissed 52 police officers, transferred 6 Deputy Commissioners, reshuffled multiple Senior Superintendent of Police and introduced a pilot e-First Information Report system. The govt. has asked 236 law officers to resign citing the expiration of their one-year terms. On a positive note, Panjab has become the first state to enact a Sports Development Act 2024, guaranteeing transparent, merit-based athlete selection. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann hailed this legislation as pivotal for upgrading sports standards and ensuring fair representation.

On 19 Feb, former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Kirpal Singh Badungar resigned from the Akal Takht (Eternal Throne, AT) appointed seven-member committee to oversee the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) membership and the election of its office-bearers. Badungar’s resignation came a day after Harjinder Singh Dhami quit as the committee chairperson and as SGPC President and just before the committee was to meet. While the members of the committee met, Gurpartap Singh Wadala, a committee member, said, 'We were asked to supervise the SAD membership drive and elections, but the SAD leadership didn’t co-operate.' These developments have further deepened the confrontation between the SAD and the AT over the conduct of the membership drive and the subsequent elections. Senior SAD leaders, led by Diljit Singh Cheema, have attempted to persuade Dhami to withdraw his resignation. SGPC too has refused to accept Dhami's resignation and is urging him to reconsider his decision. However, Dhami seems adamant and has not budged from his position. Meanwhile, on the sacking of Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar (leader) Giani Harpreet Singh, the SGPC executive committee asserted that it holds the power to appoint and remove Jathedars of the five Takhts (Sikh thrones of sovereignty). On 22 Feb, AT Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh said, 'Sikhs around the world turn to the Akal Takht for spiritual and religious guidance. However, yesterday I learned that the Akal Takht's directives are confined to its four walls and do not extend beyond.' Such a statement from the AT Jathedar betrays a sense of helplessness at how matters have transpired since the 2 Dec 2024 events in which the AT had told SAD they have ‘lost the moral right to lead’ and called for the party’s reorganization.

On 22 Feb, Indian Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan confirmed that a second meeting with Panjab farmers regarding their long-pending demands, including a legal guarantee on the Minimum Support Price (MSP), was held in a cordial atmosphere. The next round is scheduled in Chandigarh on 19 Mar. The talks resumed after a year-long deadlock, featuring a 28-member farmers’ delegation and Union ministers Pralhad Joshi and Piyush Goyal, alongside Panjab Cabinet ministers Harpal Singh Cheema, Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, and Lal Chand Kataruchak. Key farmer leaders Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border since 26 Nov 2024, and Sarwan Singh Pandher presented the demands: debt waivers, pensions for farmers and labourers, withdrawal of police cases, compensation for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, and reversion to the Land Acquisition Act of 2013. At a preceding meeting on 14 Feb, the Union government team stated it is open to further talks and urged Dallewal to end his fast, emphasizing that the Modi govt. is committed to farmers’ welfare. Farmer unions Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha reaffirmed their stance on MSP, insisting on a legal guarantee that ensures 100% govt. procurement under the Swaminathan Formula (C2+50%). They criticized any proposal for only partial or 25-30% procurement, arguing that such a compromise would ultimately favor corporations. The farmers have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri interstate border between Panjab and Haryana since 13 Feb 2024, and repeatedly prevented by security forces from marching to Delhi. Farmer leaders have signaled that without concrete progress on MSP and other core issues, they may again attempt to head for Delhi on 25 Mar and urged the Panjab Cabinet to pass a resolution in the ongoing Panjab Assembly session in favor of the Farmers Protest 2.0.

Delhi-based Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Manjit Singh GK criticized the Sikh diaspora over the mistreatment of Sikh deportees by US authorities, who were forcibly stripped of their turbans before being deported. GK questioned the selective activism of Sikh leaders in Canada, the UK, and the US, asking, ‘Where is Gurpatwant Singh Pannun?’ He drew parallels to the global Sikh response to France’s turban ban, urging the diaspora to demand accountability for the humiliation faced by Sikh deportees. Over the last four decades, many in the Sikh diaspora have been vocal in their protest against India on how the country mistreats the Sikhs but this time even the diaspora in countries other than the US have maintained radio silence on how the Trump administration in the US handcuffed and deported migrants without their turbans. While the diaspora's loud demonstrations, anti-India slogans, posters, floats in parades do not affect Sikhs much in Panjab where Sikhs are a majority, it does affect the Inspora Sikhs who live outside Panjab within India and constitute about 17% of the community but are a minuscule minority everywhere. On a positive note, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has raised concerns with the US over the treatment of Sikh deportees, emphasizing the need to respect religious sensitivities. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that women and children were not shackled during deportation. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee condemned the mistreatment and provided turbans to deportees upon their arrival in Amritsar. The US has deported over 335 Indian nationals, one-third of them from Panjab, since 5 Feb. Now Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Costa Rica have agreed to temporarily house some deportees as part of a broader US deportation plan. However, there has been no reported attempt by the Sikh diaspora to aid those countries to set up camps, or provide relief to the deportees.

Sikhs in the US are facing heightened fears of immigration raids at Gurdwaras after the Trump administration lifted restrictions preventing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting operations in ‘sensitive locations,’ including places of worship. Gurdwara Sahib West Sacramento has seen a decline in attendance and fielded numerous calls from anxious worshippers. Narinder Singh Thandi, the Gurdwara’s president, noted that some members now avoid crowded meal times, fearing ICE raids. Similar concerns have been reported at the Sikh Cultural Society in Queens, New York. The Sikh Coalition, a civil rights group, estimates there are over 350 Gurdwaras and 500K Sikhs in the US. The deportation policy has also sparked lawsuits from religious groups, including Sikhs, Quakers, and Jewish organizations, arguing that the threat of enforcement infringes on religious freedom. Meanwhile in Panjab, families of deportees are grappling with the fallout of illegal immigration. Daljit Singh, deported from the US, lost his family’s 4.5-acre farmland worth USD 115K to a travel agent who exploited his desperation. Similarly, Jaswinder Singh, a deportee from Moga, filed a case against Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Sukhwinder Singh for duping him of USD 52K and sending him abroad via the dunki (illegal donkey route) route. Deportees like Jatinder Singh and Mandeep Singh recounted harrowing experiences, enduring torture in US detention camps, and facing extreme conditions during their journey. Jatinder Singh, who paid USD 57K to an agent, described being shackled and deprived of proper food, while Mandeep Singh recounted facing crocodiles and snakes during his illegal journey to the US. Kapurthala police also booked two agents for cheating a deportee of USD 52K. The Indian government is cracking down on illegal immigration rackets, with investigations revealing widespread fraud and abuse by agents.

Recent data shows Indian refugee claims in New Zealand surged 579% in just two years, from 172 in 2022-23 to 1,168 in 2023-24, with around half of them citing religious or political persecution—especially among Sikhs claiming fear of reprisal for pro-Khalistan sentiment. Critics argue many applicants lack proof, suggesting some are merely exploiting the asylum system to obtain legal residency. This echoes developments in Canada, where about 100K inside-Canada asylum applications were filed recently, and India-origin claimants soared by 500% at airports during the second quarter of 2024. Observers contend such moves are less about true religious or ideological issues, but a pragmatic tactic to secure permanent residency. Simultaneously, new demographic data from New Zealand revealed that ‘Singh’ remains the country’s top newborn surname for the seventh year in a row, followed closely by ‘Kaur,’ revealing the robust presence of the Sikh diaspora. Meanwhile, Panjabi is confirmed as one of the most prevalent non-official mother tongues in Canada, with 459,985 speakers, reflecting a parallel expansion of Panjabi communities in the country. Meanwhile, in Australia, a Panjabi couple recently received permanent residency after seventeen years of visa rejections, surviving a deportation notice and eventually succeeding through ministerial intervention. Parminder Singh arrived as a student in 2008, enduring repeated setbacks before winning approval for himself, his wife, and their Australian-born son. Collectively, these stories highlight a shared determination among the Panjabi diaspora to overcome legal barriers, respond to persecution, and establish new lives abroad, whether via asylum claims, skilled migration, or protracted legal battles. At the same time, critics in host nations warn that lax refugee policies risk being manipulated by those seeking a fast-track to permanent residency, raising questions about the balance between humane acceptance and preventing systemic abuse.

Manjinder Singh Sirsa’s recent appointment to the Delhi Cabinet has stirred politics in Panjab. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders claim it signals greater Sikh representation and could boost the party’s fortunes ahead of the 2027 assembly polls in Panjab. Sirsa had won as a Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate from Rajouri Garden in 2013 but lost the seat to Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Jarnail Singh in 2015. In 2017, Jarnail Singh resigned from Rajouri Garden in order to contest from Lambi constituency in Panjab against Parkash Singh Badal. In the consequent by-poll held in Rajouri Garden in 2017, Sirsa won. He had contested on the BJP symbol despite being in the SAD, as part of an alliance agreement between the two parties. He formally joined BJP in 2021. He was elected as the president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee in 2013, 2017, and again in 2021. Soon after Sirsa’s appointment, Panjab Indian National Congress (INC) MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira took to X, 'If BJP can give representation to a Sikh as Minister, I urge Arvind Kejriwal to clarify why he did not induct a Sikh as Minister during the 10 years of his government.' Meanwhile, the INC has initiated a major shake-up in Panjab by assigning former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel as All India Congress Committee general secretary in charge of Panjab. Panjab INC chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring announced that 60-70 new faces would stand for the 2027 state elections. Meanwhile, in Ontario, Canada, the Liberal Party suspended Oshawa candidate Viresh Bansal after he posted inflammatory X comments referencing the 2023 murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was allegedly killed by Indian agents for his advocacy of Khalistan. Bansal’s remarks, including homophobic language toward Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, provoked an outcry from New Democratic Party candidates, the World Sikh Organization, and fellow Liberals.

Chandigarh’s iconic Rock Garden, created by Nek Chand from recycled materials, is partly being demolished to widen a road near the Punjab and Haryana High Court, causing public outrage. The partial demolition aims to add parking space but has destroyed a portion of the garden’s wall, alarming heritage conservationists and prompting an outcry from locals who cherish the site’s cultural significance. Anuj Saini, Nek Chand’s son, expressed deep anguish, lamenting that this area was lovingly built by his father, while city residents recall how a human chain in 1989 once halted similar plans. Lawyer Manmohan Lal Sarin criticized the Union Territory administration for ignoring environmental concerns. Although officials say the road has official clearances and the Rock Garden’s boundary wall will be restored, protesters demonstrated on 23 Feb, hoping to stop the bulldozers. A former Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court, Justice Savinder Singh Sodhi, who took part in the protest, condemned the demolition, ‘Razing the Rock Garden’s wall is not a solution but the beginning of an end. The city needs sustainable traffic solutions—shuttle services, improved public transport and multi-level parking lots—rather than harming its trees and heritage.’ Meanwhile, another historic institution in Panjab, the Phagwara Municipal Corporation library, faces neglect despite Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s push for ultra-modern rural libraries. Once a vibrant space for youth and underserved residents, it now stands abandoned after municipal offices repurposed its space as cabins for employees. The funding for newspapers and magazines has also ceased, leaving the library’s vast resources locked away. Municipal employees blame a lack of financial support, and many lament the lost cultural asset. Phagwara’s Additional Deputy Commissioner Navneet Kaur Bal pledged to revive the library, proposing a modern facility that caters to readers of all ages. Whether that would ever materialize is an open question.

Panjabi music industry is witnessing a rising trend of songs glorifying the dunki (illegal donkey route) routes for illegal immigration to the US. Tracks like Trump by Gur Sidhu and Cheema Y reference scaling walls and evading authorities, portraying migration via Mexico as a heroic feat instead of a perilous gamble. These songs, often accompanied by social media reels of travelers proudly striking poses while crossing borders, highlight the perceived glamour of earning quick money in the US, overshadowing harsh realities such as detention camps and staggering debts. In America Wala, singers Ravraaz and Ravi Rbs praise illegal entrants who spend USD 46K to bypass study visas, claiming they can recoup these costs rapidly and even support families back home. Deep Sidhu’s popular songs America and America 2 narrate how the dunki path transforms entire lives overnight, while Sukh Bhullar’s America depicts idle youth drawn by the promise of fast success. By contrast, a few artists, like Happy Raikoti, caution that dangerous routes can lead to death, urging Panjabi youth to rethink the obsession with foreign lands. Observers blame these songs for trivializing life-threatening journeys and discouraging legal methods, though critics note the underlying push factors—economic desperation, limited local opportunities, and surging demand for Western lifestyles—as responsible for these journeys. The phenomenon extends beyond music: the film Aaja Mexico Challiye (Let’s Go to Mexico) dramatizes how unscrupulous agents lure desperate youth, forcing them through jungles and uncertain fates. While many Panjabis romanticize these escapes, the recent deportation flights landing in Amritsar reveal grim truths of captivity, fraud, and tragic outcomes. As more stories of shattered dreams emerge, the debate intensifies over whether these tunes merely reflect social reality or directly incite perilous decisions among disillusioned aspirants seeking a foothold in a foreign land.