“A hunger strike is a method of non-violent resistance or pressure in which participants fast as an act of political protest.” This has been a tool used in the fight against British imperialism, for women’s suffrage, fair work practices, and against unjust government policies. The same method was used now, in the state of Punjab, in the northern region of India. The protest was for the release of prisoners who have served sentences, but are being held by the Indian Government, without the possibility of courts reviewing their cases.
A Sikh farmer in Punjab, Gurbaksh Singh, was on a hunger strike for months, starting on November 14 and ending in mid-January. He demanded the release of six prisoners, who are being held in his area. Many are saying that the trials of the prisoners should be reviewed, and their sentences changed accordingly.
Singh went on a 44 day hunger strike in November 2013, and reinstated the strike the following year after nothing was resolved. Toward the end of the strike he was hospitalized, but still continued on with his protest. However his protest ended a few days later, and he remains hospitalized.
In total, there are six prisoners waiting for release or the opportunity for their cases to be heard again. Three of these prisoners have been sentenced for their alleged role in a car bombing that killed India’s chief minister in 1995. The others were arrested under an anti-terror law, which has since been repealed.
The real outrage stems from the fact that many prisoners in India’s justice system have had their cases looked over again, and been given shorter sentences or been altogether released. “In India, state authorities can review a case or decision after a prisoner serving that sentence has spent 14 years.” This is especially true for prisoners who were arrested in the 80s and 90s, during a period of religious and social strife in the country.
“Some say authorities are selectively rejecting reviews of Sikh inmates incarcerated during the Punjab Militancy” or the its just being harsher on Sikh’s in general. The justice system is being accused of discrimination against the minority group, which makes up only 1.9% of the population. This has sparked a lot of outrage and is a key issue that the hunger strike has brought to light.
The reaction from the Indian government has been mixed. However, most prominent leaders have not stated any opinions, mostly due to the fact that the Indian public and media are not widely discussing the protest. Local leaders are either turning a blind eye or stating strong opinions, a majority of which are supportive of Singh’s cause.
Foreign reaction has also been underwhelming. The only major news channel to comment of the protest was CNN, in an online article. However, Sikh’s living in foreign countries; especially the younger generations are expressing overwhelming support for Singh’s cause. A bus from the local SikhTemple in Turlock, also traveled to San Francisco to participate in a protest supporting Singh and his cause.
The world must remember that this hunger strike is not solely about the release of the six prisoners. It is about calling to attention the discrimination of religious minorities still faced in India, or all over the world. It also shows the power of peaceful protest, especially in a time when violent protests are taking place.