Chandigarh: Former Minister of State (MoS) for Railways and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravneet Singh Bittu, the grandson of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, on Wednesday welcomed the positive report sent by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to the Union Home Ministry regarding the parole application of Jagtar Singh Hawara on humanitarian grounds.
Former Union Minister Bittu said that he met the Governor and thanked him for taking a compassionate and humane view of the matter, particularly considering the advanced age and ill-health of Hawara’s mother.
“For the sake of an elderly and unwell mother, Hawara should be granted parole.”
He said the family of late Beant Singh supported and welcomed this humanitarian approach, making it clear that an elderly mother should not be made to suffer for the actions of her son.
“As the family of late Beant Singh-ji, we second this humanitarian move. A mother should not be made to undergo a humanitarian punishment for the actions of her son. Whatever the legal consequences of his actions maybe, an aged and unwell mother should not be deprived of the opportunity to meet her son when the law provides for temporary parole.”
He expressed hope that the competent authorities would consider the matter expeditiously and take an appropriate decision in accordance with law.
Former Union Minister Bittu reiterated that while his family will always honour the supreme sacrifice of late Beant Singh, it also believed that compassion, humanity and peace must guide society forward.
Earlier on Wednesday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann met Governor Kataria and sought his intervention for granting 10-day parole to Hawara on humanitarian grounds, saying that after 31 years, his ailing mother has a renewed hope of meeting her son.
Chief Minister Mann said the matter required the Governor’s recommendation as the case is being heard in Delhi, while assuring that the Punjab government will take full responsibility for ensuring that law and order is not affected if Hawara is granted parole.
Calling upon the Governor Kataria to consider the matter on humanitarian grounds, CM Mann said, “Jagtar Singh Hawara has been lodged in Burail Jail in Chandigarh for the last 31 years. His mother is old and suffering from age-related health issues and is currently semi-conscious.”
“In view of her deteriorating health condition, I have requested the Governor to kindly consider granting 10 days’ parole to Jagtar Singh Hawara at the earliest so that he can meet his mother,” CM Mann added.
(IANS)
