Gravesend - The Sikh Federation (UK) has urged those with Panthic interests at heart to join forces and throw out former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for opposing the release of Sikh political prisoners. A Federation spokesman said: "It is now clear that he has not only ignored the release of Sikhs from jails, but actually opposed the move. He has betrayed the Sikh Panth and will not be forgiven." The first action must be taken by those with Panthic thinking within the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Badal must be forced to step down as the leader of SAD. A Federation spokesman said: "If the SAD fails to take prompt action against Badal this will be a sign of weakness and will be another self inflicted wound and demonstrate the SAD is nothing more than a family setup." The Federation has urged Sikhs outside India, in the UK, Canada, United States, Europe, Australia, Far East etc. to consider a total boycott of all SAD leaders until Badal is removed from power. Narinderjit Singh, the General Secretary of the Sikh Federation (UK) and the former mayor for Gravesend speaking after a Federation national conference in Gravesend in the UK said: "We urge all Sikhs outside India to ensure no Gurdwara provides a platform to any SAD leader until Badal is removed. SAD need to wake up to the seriousness of the blunder made by Badal. By his actions he has shown he has no claim to be a Sikh leader, he appears able to take any action, including all forms of anti-Panthic activities to preserve his position and that of his family. He has been exposed and the time has come for him and his family to step out of politics." The actions of Badal can be contrasted to those of Tarlochan Singh (Independent) who last week during Special Mentions in the Rajya Sabha raised the issue of Sikhs killed in false encounters and called for the Government to review cases where "innocent persons were behind bars and suffering at the hands of the police."

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