For most of Bapu Surat Singh Khalsas (Bapu jis) hunger strike, the politicians in Punjab have ignored his plight to free Sikh political prisoners. Questions directed at the former Chief Minister of Punjab (CM), Parkash Badal, about Bapu jis hunger strike, were often ignored or laughed at. As more time passed, and Bapu ji heroically remained steadfast in his resolve, the Punjab Government was inevitably forced to acknowledge his hunger strike and meet with representatives on Bapu jis behalf.