At Sidhu Moosewala’s barsi, anguished parents target AAP govt: ‘No internet for masses but free-run for jailed gangsters’, says father; mother questions action against Amritpal

Raising slogans against the AAP government, Balkaur asked “why no courts were now taking suo moto cognizance of Bishnoi’s interviews from jail even as he has openly threatened to kill actor Salman Khan”. Questioning action against Amritpal Singh, Moosewala’s mother Charan Kaur said that it was unfortunate that the government was taking action against people who were steering youths towards Sikhi while turning a blind eye to the gangsters who continue to be active even from behind the bars.

Moosewala’s family observed his first pre-poned death anniversary (barsi) Sunday at Mansa. The singer was shot dead on May 29 last year, and police had named Bishnoi as the prime accused along with two other gangsters—Goldy Brar and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria.

“I want to ask this government (AAP) why did they not find any other day to catch Amritpal? Why internet was suspended and heavy forces deployed a day ahead of my son’s barsi? All this was done to suppress our voices, and of those demanding justice for my son,” said the emotional father, adding: “What is our demand after all? Just that people whom we suspect of conspiring my son’s murder should be interrogated. Today, when we are gathered here to hold prayers for my son, we do not have access to internet but gangsters sitting in jail have it. Isn’t this a mockery of the entire system,” he said, amid slogans of “Punjab sarkaar murdabad”.

Sidhu Moosewala’s fans pay tributes to him at his barsi. (Express photo by Gurmeet Singh)

He added that Bishnoi, in his interview, called himself a “nationalist” and at same time he openly threatened to kill actor Salman Khan. “Why no courts in this country have taken notice of this brazen violation of law? Hooligans are being made nationalists. Now I understand why masterminds of my son’s murder are not being caught,” he said, adding that AAP government in Punjab has “mortgaged” itself to Delhi.

“I am an ex-serviceman. I spent most of my life at the country’s borders. But Bishnoi in his interview said that he is a nationalist and wants to open a gaushala (cow shelter). I want to ask (union home minister) Amit Shah who is more a nationalist? A gangster or an ex-serviceman?” Balkaur said, adding that his son made enough money after becoming a celebrity and all that he wanted to do was to work for the people of Mansa by joining politics.

A wax statue of murdered singer-turned-politician Sidhu Moosewala at his barsi in Mansa. (Express photo by Gurmeet Singh)

“He wanted to bring good schools, colleges and hospitals in Mansa but false FIRs were registered against him and was eventually silenced forever,” he said, adding, “all that he did was to create his own channel, write his own songs, and displayed his talent to the people instead of being dependent on big sharks of the industry. This government still has time. Clean your jails before it is too late.”

“Today, IELTS has become our only qualification and youths have forgotten to appear in UPSC exams. My son had vowed that he will become successful here and won’t do slavery in Canada,” he said, adding, “But there is justice for him even after 11 months as he was born in the house of an ordinary ex-serviceman, not as the son of an MLA or a minister.”

The anguished father also urged the masses to raise slogans against the Centre and said, “Till date, I am not getting the name of the person who masterminded my son’s murder. From where did these hired killers get such sophisticated weapons? Who paid them? Not just AAP but BJP has also failed us.”

Major demands listed out by Sidhu Moosewala’s supporters at his barsi in Mansa. (Express photo by Gurmeet Singh)

Moosewala’s mother Charan Kaur, while addressing the gathering, added that the Ajnala incident took place nearly three weeks ago, “then why police acted just a day before my son’s barsi.”

“I don’t know who Amritpal is, or from where he came but he is just taking Sikh youths towards baptism and Sikhi. The government is trying to portray him as a criminal when nothing has come against him yet. But those committing murders are giving interviews from jail,” she said, adding, “no body should say my son was involved with gangsters without any proof.”

Warring says Amritpal crackdown justified but questions timing

Punjab Congress leaders including PPCC president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and MLA Sukhpal Khaira also attended the programme. Speaking to the media, Warring questioned the timing of police crackdown on Amritpal.

“Certainly, police should arrest him (Amritpal). No one can take law in their hands, flaunt weapons, openly disturb peace of a state and demand Khalistan. But why a day before Moosewala’s barsi? It was a clear attempt by AAP government to sabotage this programme so that people could not reach here in huge numbers. It had been three weeks since Ajnala incident happened so why it was done ahead of Moosewala’s barsi?,” he questioned.