Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has stepped up his push for the parole of Beant Singh assassination convict Jagtar Singh Hawara. Mann met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to urge him to take up the matter with the Union Home Secretary. Sources indicate Hawara is likely to get parole for just a day or two — not the 10-day period that Mann and some Sikh organisations had requested.
Mann meets Governor to seek parole for Hawara on humanitarian grounds
Mann called on Governor Kataria this morning to push for Hawara's release on a short-term basis. According to The Tribune, the Chief Minister said he was hopeful that Hawara could be released for a limited period to meet his ailing octogenarian mother.
The CM's intervention came days after he had written to the Governor seeking a 10-day parole for Hawara, who has been incarcerated for nearly three decades. Mann said it was on a purely humanitarian basis that he was pursuing the matter.
Governor assures Centre push on Hawara parole plea
Governor Kataria assured Mann that he would speak to the Union Home Secretary regarding the parole request. As reported by The Tribune, the Governor's assurance came during the meeting, raising hopes that the parole would be granted soon.
However, sources told The Tribune that Hawara was likely to get parole for a day or two — a shorter period than the 10 days sought by Mann and Sikh organisations. The shorter duration appears to be the likely outcome of the discussions.
"It was on a purely humanitarian basis that he was pursuing the matter." — The Tribune
What this means for the parole decision
The development follows Mann's earlier letter to the Governor seeking the 10-day parole. According to The Indian Express, Mann had written to the Governor pushing for the grant of 10-day parole to Hawara. The request cited the deteriorating health of Hawara's mother as the primary reason.
The case has drawn attention from Sikh organisations as well, who have joined Mann in seeking the parole. The decision now rests with the central authorities, with the Governor expected to take up the matter with the Union Home Secretary.
Our Take: A short parole is a reasonable middle ground
To put it plainly, a one or two-day parole for Hawara makes practical sense. The request is based on humanitarian grounds — allowing a man who has been in prison for nearly three decades to see his elderly mother. If the mother's health is indeed failing, even a short visit carries deep meaning.
While Mann and Sikh organisations asked for 10 days, a shorter parole of a day or two still serves the core purpose: letting Hawara meet his mother. It also makes the decision easier for authorities who may have security or procedural concerns about a longer release.
The key question now is whether the Centre will act quickly. The Governor has assured he will speak to the Union Home Secretary. For a matter that is purely humanitarian, there is little reason to delay. Every day matters when an elderly parent's health is at stake.
