A police protected Khalistani rally in Punjab is the last thing any nationalist wants to see

Right under the nose of the Congress government, aided by the support of local police, Khalistani sympathisers on Monday organized a rally in Punjab’s Bathinda district from Shaheed Baba Ajit Singh Chowk to Gurdwara Qila Mubarak. Reportedly, the rally was orchestrated by followers of Punjabi actor Deep Sidhu, who died recently and slogans such as “Khalistan Zindabad” and “Deep Sidhu Zindabad” were raised with Police overseeing the developments. 

According to news reports, posters of Khalistani terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and Deep Sidhu were also raised during the rally. Video clippings of the rally have gone viral on the realms of social media with netizens demanding the Punjab Congress government to answer why they gave their nod to the event. 

Popular netizen Anshul Saxena took to Twitter to share the video and captioned it saying, “Another part of the rally in Punjab to demand Khalistan. This rally was held in Bathinda with posters of Terrorist Bhindranwale& Actor Deep Sidhu. Now, Khalistanis are using the death of actor Deep Sidhu to revive the Khalistan movement.”

Deep Sidhu’s death and Khalistani chants

It is imperative to note that Deep Sidhu was one of the prime accused in the Red Fort violence that broke out on Republic Day last year. He died earlier this month after the car he was driving rammed into a stationary truck. 

The accident took place near Haryana’s Kharkhoda on the Western Peripheral Expressway. The deceased was travelling with his friend Reena Rai from Delhi to Bathinda. He was taken to a hospital but was declared brought dead.

However, after he was accused in the Republic Day violence case, Deep Sidhu was marginalised in political circles. Last year, he had even called farmers’ protest leaders “arrogant.” The actor had said, “You are so jealous and so arrogant that you do not listen to anyone. Whatever decision is taken must be accepted by all. If I reveal deep secrets, then there will be no way to flee.” 

Reportedly, hundreds of Khalistani supporters had attended the cremation of actor Deep Sidhu and raised slogans in favour of Khalistan as well. “Saadi (hamari) majboori hai, Khalistan zaroori hai”, the group yelled as they demanded freedom and a separate territory named Khalistan.

Read More: Deep Sidhu died a very unfortunate (yet convenient) death

A hung assembly and Kejriwal bolstering Khalistani voices?

With the Punjab assembly expected to have a hung assembly, the Khalistani elements have had their confidence bolstered, especially after AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal refused to outrightly call Bhindranwale a terrorist

As reported by TFI, Kumar Vishwas — one of the biggest leaders and founding fathers of AAP, who has been a vocal critic of Kejriwal recently remarked that Kejriwal harboured dreams of becoming the Prime Minister of Khalistan.

Kumar Vishwas said in an interview, “He even made dangerous statements in front of me that everyone knows in Punjab. One day when I asked him about referendum 2020 that was being funded by ISI and other elements across the world, he told me not to worry. Either I will become Chief Minister of the state or I will become first Prime Minister of an independent nation (Khalistan).”

Read more: Kejriwal has Prime Ministerial ambitions. No not India’s, Khalistan’s

Trying to bring the dark ages back

For almost two decades, Punjab suffered the curse of strife and terrorism. The policies of the Congress party and the politics played by the Akalis soaked the fertile soil of the state with the blood of its people. 

Kidnappings, murder, and ransom became the everyday ritual of the state. Terrorists demanded a separate homeland for Sikhs- Khalistan, but the Armed Forces went all out to crush the secessionist forces and eventually succeeded. 

However, an entire generation of Punjab was lost in the wanton bloodshed. And just when it looked like normalcy had returned, political parties like AAP and non-state actors like Deep Sidhu have managed to revitalize the issue and extremists. In a state where the PM and his safety was compromised, the radicals are being given a free hand.