Journalism of Courage
Two contrasting events marked the 69th birth anniversary of the controversial Khalistani militant, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, in Moga and Fatehgarh Sahib on Friday.
On one hand, his native village Rode in Moga boycotted politicians and cancelled the annual kabaddi tournament in protest against the Guru Granth Sahib ‘desecration’ incidents. On the other hand, SAD(A) leader Simranjit Singh Mann organised a separate political rally at Fatehgarh Sahib.
Mann said his party has nothing to do with SAD-BJP, the Congress and AAP, as the message of militant Jagtar Singh Hawara was read out among the masses amid pro-Khalistan slogans.
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“The SAD-A is ready for the 2017 polls and our party will contest from all seats. The massive gathering at Bhindranwale’s birth anniversary is testimony of the fact that people of Punjab have immense respect for him,” Mann said.
The families of the Bargaari and Behbal Kalan firing victims were honoured on stage. Mann added that people should stay away from AAP because of its leaders like Kumar Vishwas who insulted Bhindranwale.
Meanwhile, at Bhindranwale’s native village Rode in Moga, people boycotted politicians and they organised a week-long religious prayers to remember their ‘martyr’
Satvinder Singh, a member of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Yadgaari Committee, told The Indian Express: “All villagers attended the religious prayers and langar was served. The kabaddi cup was cancelled this year to protest against desecration. We used to invite Badals since the past few years, as Akali Dal enjoyed good support in our village.
However, this year we did not invite any politician. We wanted to keep it a religious and intimate affair. We got together and remembered our martyr.”
