Amb Sahib Morcha: Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa's 44-day fast for the Bandi Singhs

Who: Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa of Thaska Ali village, Kurukshetra, Haryana, who sat on the fast; the Sikh Bandi Rihai Morcha Committee behind him; the Dal Khalsa; and Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, with Giani Mal Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib.

What: Khalsa began a continuous fast on 14 November 2013 at Gurdwara Amb Sahib, Mohali, weighing 74.5 kg, The Tribune reports. He asked for the release of six Sikh prisoners who had finished their sentences but were still in jail: Gurmeet Singh, Shamsher Singh, Lakhwinder Singh Lakha, Lal Singh, Waryam Singh and Gurdeep Singh Khera, as named by The Tribune and SikhNet. ThePrint's account of 2023 counts seven prisoners.

On 4 December the Dal Khalsa and others organised a Khalsa March of over 200 km from Sri Akal Takht Sahib to Amb Sahib. SikhNet reported that police tried to stop it, that a senior officer removed the dastar of one of the Panj Pyare, and that Khalsa was arrested at Amb Sahib and taken to hospital. On 10 December SikhNet said he had been discharged from PGI Chandigarh with all charges withdrawn and had gone straight back to the gurdwara.

On 20 December he had trouble breathing and wore an oxygen mask (SikhNet). By 26 December he had lost 15 kg, a medical report showed. In the last week Lal Singh was released on parole from Nabha jail after 20 years, and Gurmeet Singh was given 28 days' parole (The Tribune).

On 27 December Giani Gurbachan Singh and Giani Mal Singh met Khalsa at Amb Sahib. He said he was a devoted Sikh who could not defy the Akal Takht. That evening Lakhwinder Singh and Shamsher Singh were released on parole from Burail Model Jail, Chandigarh, and the Jathedar offered Khalsa juice at the Golden Temple complex. An ardas followed and the fast ended after 44 days (The Tribune). The Jathedar called it more or less a victory, since Lal Singh and Gurmeet Singh were out (SikhNet). Khalsa said four of the six were out on parole and the release of the other two was being pursued.

Where: Gurdwara Amb Sahib, Mohali; the march ran from Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Amritsar.

Why it mattered: The fast won parole for four of the prisoners, not permanent release; SikhNet reported the committee's understanding that parole would go on until the courts issued permanent release orders. ThePrint traces the campaign for the Bandi Singhs to this fast and says a list of 119 Sikh prisoners was issued in December 2013. A year later Khalsa began a second fast at Lakhnaur Sahib. The Quami Insaaf Morcha began at Gurdwara Amb Sahib on 7 January 2023.