Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Panjwar (Tarn Taran)
“My husband was not a terrorist. He was a human rights activist,” emphasises Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra, the Punjab Democratic Alliance (PDA) candidate from Khadoor Sahib and wife of Jaswant Singh Khalra, who was allegedly killed by the Punjab Police in 1995.
Addressing a public meeting in the courtyard of a house in Panjwar village, she speaks of Khalistani militant Paramjit Singh Panjwar, almost immediately striking a chord with the audience, most of them baptised Sikhs. Seated on plastic chairs, they raise ‘fateh (victory)’ slogans every now and then, even as some youths, also baptised, film her address.
A supporter wearing a T-shirt with Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’s picture serves tea. Some Sehajdharis gather near the gate of the house, listening attentively.
Bibi Khalra has been getting a lot of attention on the social media and the support of NRIs and Sikh groups abroad. She briefly mentions how RS Brahmpura heading the SAD-Taksali, Punjab Ekta Party chief Sukhpal Khaira and former AAP MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi have joined hands for her sake.
She reminds people of her election symbol (key) as a woman supporter raises the slogan “Asin ankhi sher Punjabi, saada chaun nishan chaabi.” Some others distribute leaflets with information about her late husband. After eight rallies back to back, she decides to take a break. Talking with The Tribune in a room overflowing with supporters, she shows no signs of fatigue. It is getting dark, and she has two more villages to cover.
“My husband fought for the rights of Punjabis, not just Sikhs,” she says when asked if she was being backed by all communities. “My husband took up the case of young Gulshan Lal of Tarn Taran, who too was killed in a fake encounter. I am fighting this election to complete my husband’s unfinished task — pursuit of justice. I will make the government account for every fake encounter death.”
Painter Gurpreet Artist, who has come all the way from Bathinda to meet Bibi, interrupts the conversation and hands her an envelope with Rs 50,000. “We are supporting Khaira Sahib and you,” he says. Bibi Khalra accepts the election fund with humility. A little distance away, some youths playing cricket in the village stadium know nothing about activist Khalra. “We are not going to vote”, says Akashdeep Singh, 22, who is unemployed. He holds a diploma in pharmacy. Harpreet Singh, a graduate, observes: “There are no jobs. We spend the entire day in this stadium. Elections are a tamasha, so we keep away. We want to go abroad.”
A disillusioned Ravinder Singh, who has just completed higher secondary, does not want to study further. “No, we don’t do drugs, “ he adds, running his fingers through his gelled hair. “The government has no scheme to generate employment. The youths are either on drugs or are fleeing broad.This is a conspiracy to terminate our community (nasalkushi) and I am fighting it,” says Bibi Khalra as she leaves for the next meeting.
