Ravneet Singh Bittu Backs Parole for Grandfather's Assassin Jagtar Singh Hawara

In a significant departure from his long-standing position, former Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu has supported the release on parole of Jagtar Singh Hawara, the assassin of his grandfather and former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. Bittu stated that Hawara is likely to receive parole to visit his ailing mother, following a positive recommendation sent to the central government.

Bittu, who has historically been a strong advocate for strict punishment for militants, met with Punjab Governor and Union Territory Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria at the Punjab Lok Bhawan in Chandigarh on Wednesday evening. The meeting was held to express gratitude to the Governor for submitting a favorable report to the Centre on humanitarian grounds.

Positive Reports Submitted to the Centre

According to Bittu, the decision-making process involved active coordination between local administration and federal authorities over the past several days. Bittu disclosed that he had been in communication with Governor Kataria for the last 10 days regarding the matter, during which the Governor remained in contact with the Union Home Ministry.

In addition to the Governor's recommendation, the Chandigarh Police has also submitted a positive report to the central government. The police assessment concluded that Hawara’s temporary release to visit his mother would not pose any threat to peace or law and order in the region.

"He will certainly come out," Bittu said after his meeting with the Governor. "He will meet his mother. I cannot say how many days of parole he would get. I had gone to thank him."

Humanitarian Grounds Cited for Shift in Stand

Addressing his shift in stance, Bittu emphasized that his support for the parole is based entirely on humanitarian considerations rather than political or ideological alignment. He highlighted the critical health condition of Hawara's mother as the primary reason for his decision.

"This is purely on humanitarian grounds," Bittu explained. "His mother is ailing. We have been told she misses her son. She has been remembering him and not drinking water. If something happens to her without meeting her son, it will be a reflection on our society as a whole."