Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Badal, Tohra no friends of mine8217;
CHANDIGARH: The advertisements may seem weird to some, but in Punjab, these are a time-tested technique, reminiscent of militancy. Punjabi newspapers published from Jalandhar are increasingly featuring public notices by individuals denying their association or that of a relative settled abroad with both Akali Dal president Parkash Singh Badal and his arch-rival, All India SAD chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra. 8220;I, 8230;, of 8230; village and 8230; district hereby declare that neither I nor my relative 8230; settled abroad has any association with Badal or Tohra,8221; these declare.
Security agencies and state watchers see another motive. During militancy, suchadvertisements were taken out to put pressure on supporters of moderate Akali leaders. The authorities feel radical Sikh groups based abroad are trying the same tactics now, targeting NRI Punjabis who support moderate politics. For example, Akali Dal Amritsar chief Simranjit Singh Mann who has returned to the Khalistan theme has seen no such public disassociation.
KAPADWANJ GUJARAT: If service chiefs made their way to a poll rally backdrop, can politicians leave Kargil martyrs8217; families alone? In this Lok Sabha seat, leaders of all hues 8212; from the BJP to sworn enemy Shankersinh Vaghela 8212; are turning up at the doorsteps of Dinesh Vaghela, who died fighting in the conflict.
Vaghela, who is a candidate from the seat, has already visited Dinesh8217;s house in Nirmali village. The BJP did its bit by inviting the martyr8217;s family to the inauguration of its poll office here as well as to a rally addressed by PM A.B. Vajpayee on Tuesday. The party state government has already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh forDinesh8217;s family.
Have their efforts paid off? Well, Dinesh8217;s father Mohanbhai says all political leaders have visited his house, and he doesn8217;t favour anyone.
8212; JAGTAR SINGH AND AGENCIES
