As soon as the court started its proceedings, the six accused, Jagtar Singh Hawara, Paramjit Singh Bheowra, Jagtar Singh Tara, Nasib Singh, Shamsher Singh and Navjot Singh started raising pro-Khalistan, pro-Babbar Khalsa and pro-Bhindranwale slogans in protest against the dismissal of their applications. Hawara and Paramjit are on a fast unto death till they are allowed baptism.

In a protest application submitted in the court today, the two stated: "We wanted permission in light of the fact that the Akal Takht has issued a hukamnama asking all the Sikhs to be baptised in view of the 300 years of Khalsa. For us, the order of the Akal Takht is like the order of the Guru. Denial of this right has hurt our religious sentiments and we feel like slaves in free India."

Significantly, another accused in the same case, Balwant Singh, did not boycott today's proceedings. In fact, the case made very little headway with the cross-examination of witness Jasbir Singh by Balwant Singh.

It may be recalled that Balwant Singh used to live in Jasbir Singh's house in Patiala before Beant Singh was assassinated in August 1995. The witness was asked if the alleged conspirator, Dilawar Singh, was visiting Balwant Singh before the assassination. He was also asked to describe his appearance, to which the witness said that he was a clean-shaven man.

Arguing that the court had the powers to conduct the proceedings even in the absence of the accused in certain cases, the public prosecutor cited provisions of Section 317 of the CrPC: "If the judge or magistrate is satisfied that personal attendance of the accused is not necessary in the interest of justice or if the accused persistently disturb proceedings, the judge may, if the accused is represented by a pleader, dispense with his attendance and proceed with the case."

The public prosecutor added that under Section 267 CrPC, the judge could summon the accused when required to address the charges against him.

Meanwhile, the counsels for the accused said they had not been instructed by their clients to conduct the case in their absence. The case has been adjourned till April 21.

After adjournment, Hawara told Newsline: "Khalistan is the only solution for us because we are not being allowed to even profess our religion. We regret that in the land where Guru Gobind Singh sacrificed his life in the interest of justice, we have to beg for our right to be baptised."