Murdered Punjab anti-drug activist’s kin seeks ‘distance’ from Indira Gandhi family

Bhim Singh (L), father of the slain anti-drug activist Parwinder Singh Jhota (R), requested Rahul Gandhi, Beant Singh to stay away from a protest.

MANSA: Bhim Singh, father of slain anti-drug activist Parwinder Singh Jhota, has asked Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi and the family of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh not to visit the ongoing protest against his son’s killing.Addressing protesters on Monday, Bhim Singh said he had received indications that Rahul Gandhi might visit the protest.He said he had no personal issues with Gandhi but did not want a visit by the family of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, citing the anguish within the Sikh community over her legacy.“I have got the feelers that Rahul Gandhi may want to visit the protest. I have no personal issues with him but as a devout Sikh, who has immense faith in Sikhism and Harmandar Sahib, I ask the family of late PM Indira Gandhi not to visit the protest. I want to remain in Sikhism and not want to be excommunicated. Though I have no problem with any other Congress functionary to visit as the entire Punjab Congress including former chief minister (Charanjit Singh Channi) have already visited,” he said.He also asked members of the Beant Singh family, whether former MPs or ministers, to stay away from the protest.The Mansa district Congress committee had sent feelers expressing the wish that Rahul Gandhi visit the protest after his rally in Sangrur on November 4.A controversy had also erupted over the opposition parties’ rally at Ramlila Ground in Delhi on November 1.The BJP and other parties had pointed out that the date coincided with the anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which followed the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.Bhim Singh cited the Sikh community’s anguish towards the Indira Gandhi family. Mansa district Congress president Kulwant Rai was unavailable for comment.Bhim Singh also criticised Mansa MLA Vijay Singla, accusing him of speaking about losses suffered by the business community because of the ongoing protest.He announced that protesters would not hold talks with officials until cases registered against them were withdrawn and those arrested were released. He also demanded action against Mansa SSP.