After observing fast for over 41 days, Sikh activist Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa today accepted the directive by Akal Takath Sahib and said he would end his hunger strike in Langar at Akal Takath Sahib in Amritsar tomorrow.
Yesterday saw Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh and Takht Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Mal Singh arrive at Gurdwara Amb Sahib. They held a closed door meeting with Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa.
In the mean time, the five member committee set up by Bhai Gurbaksh Singh announced it would accept any decision by Bhai Gurbaksh Singh as final as concern continued to grow regarding his deteriorating health.
A three-hour closed meeting was held in Mohali between Gurbaksh Singh and Akal Takht Jathedar Gurbachan Singh and Kesgarh Sahib and Jathedar Mal Singh.
Later Gurbaksh Singh said he was a dedicated Sikh and could not go against the directives of Akal Takht. “I bow down to the directives and would end my fast at the Darbar Sahib.” Gurbaksh Singh said he would wait to be joined by Gurmeet Singh and Lal Singh, who have already been released from jails along with a third Shamsher Singh whom is said to be released in next 24 hours. Gurbaksh Singh and five member committee said they received assurances from Akal Takath Jathedar that the three remaining prisoners would be released soon and parole release would be kept till court issued permanent release orders.
Akal Takath had directed Gurbaksh Singh to end his fast yesterday following which Gurbaksh Singh urged the Sikh leaders to come to Gurdwara Amb Sahib for discussion.
“It is more or less a victory for Gurbaksh Singh since Lal Singh and Gurmeet Singh have been released from jails and process in on to secure the release of other four Sikh detainees. We had asked him to end his fast since his health was deteriorating,” said Jathedar Gurbachan Singh, Akal Takath Sahib.
Gurbaksh Singh was later shifted to Fortis Hospital for treatment. “We will go to Amritsar where Khalsa will end his fast tomorrow,” said Harpal Singh Cheema, a member of the organising committee of the Sikh Bandi Rehai Lehar.
He said their struggle to secure the release of the other detainees would continue.