Punjab: Congress Joins Chorus for Sikh Prisoners' Release Ahead of 2027 Polls

The issue of Sikh prisoners, widely referred to as Bandi Singhs, is once again at the centre of political debate in Punjab. With the state gearing up for the 2027 Assembly elections, the Congress has now stated that it has never opposed their release.

At a rally in Khanna, former Congress MLA Gurkirat Singh Kotli, a grandson of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, said his family would not stand in the way of the release of these prisoners. “The entire family of Beant Singh will never be an obstacle to the release of Bandi Singhs. If our word is required for their release, we are ready to give it in writing that we have no objection,” he said.

Beant Singh was assassinated in 1995. Jagtar Singh Hawara was convicted for his murder and is among those whose release has been demanded by various Sikh groups. In a notable move, former Union Minister and another grandson of Beant Singh, Ravneet Singh Bittu, who is now with the BJP, recently met Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and urged him to facilitate Hawara's release.

Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi also echoed the position that the Congress has never blocked the release of Sikh prisoners. Political observers view these remarks as an attempt by the party to connect with Sikh sentiments at a time when the issue has regained political momentum across Punjab.

The Aam Aadmi Party, which currently governs Punjab, has been actively raising the matter with the central government. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann recently met the Governor and pressed for the release of Sikh prisoners.

The Shiromani Akali Dal has consistently projected itself as a supporter of the release of Sikh prisoners, particularly Balwant Singh Rajoana, who was sentenced to death in connection with the same assassination. The party has repeatedly demanded clemency for Rajoana and accused successive governments of delaying justice.

With the Congress now publicly aligning itself with the demand, all four major political players in Punjab — the AAP, BJP, Akali Dal, and Congress — are seen as trying to occupy political space around the issue. The debate over Sikh prisoners has long remained a deeply emotional and symbolic issue in Punjab, cutting across political and religious lines.

As the state moves closer to the 2027 elections, the Bandi Singhs issue is increasingly emerging as a key political flashpoint. Every major party is attempting to demonstrate that it supports the cause and is not opposed to the release of Sikh prisoners.