Hawara Kalan gathering demands release of Bandi Singhs

Patiala: A large religious and political gathering was held at Hawara Kalan village in Khamano of Fatehgarh Sahib district on Saturday focusing on the release of Bandi Singhs (Sikh political prisoners) and strengthening Panthic unity. The village is the native place of Jagtar Singh Hawara. Prominent religious leaders, political representatives and farmer leaders from across Punjab participated in the event.A resolution, read out by Pal Singh Faras, gave Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann one week to approve parole or leave for Jagtar Singh Hawara to visit his ailing and elderly mother. The resolution stated that if the leave was not granted by March 1, members of the Sikh community would gather on March 2 to offer prayers seeking divine intervention and demanding the chief minister's removal. The protesters said that after prayers the agitation will be intensified.
Addressing the gathering, Qaumi Insaaf morcha convener Pal Singh Faras said the parole file for Hawara remained pending with the authorities since October 2025. He urged the state govt to act on humanitarian grounds, and said the request pertained solely to allowing Hawara to meet his mother. The event was attended by former Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Harpreet Singh and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann, along with other Panthic leaders.A letter from Harjinder Singh Dhami, expressing support for the cause of Sikh prisoners, was read before the congregation. A message from incarcerated leader Bhai Paramjit Singh Bheora was also shared, stressing the need for unity among Sikh organisations to collectively pursue the issue of prisoner release.