Why Bhagwant Mann’s parole request for Beant Singh assassin has sparked a row

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann. (File Photo) 5 min readChandigarhAug 10, 2026 05:37 AM IST First published on: Aug 10, 2026 at 05:26 AM IST Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s request to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria for 10-day parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara to meet his ailing mother has reignited the debate over the release of “Bandi Singhs” — Sikh prisoners whose cases have long been a political and religious flashpoint in the state. Hawara was convicted for the assassination of former Punjab CM Beant Singh. Mann’s move is the first instance of a sitting CM seeking parole for a convict serving a life sentence in the assassination of a former CM.