Delhi violence accused Lakha Sidhana addresses rally in Bathinda; leaves on motorbike

Sukhmeet Bhasin
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, February 23

Challenging security agencies, Republic Day violence accused gangster-turned-social activist Lakha Sidhana, who is on the run since January 26, on Tuesday addressed a rally at Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s native village Mehraj in Bathinda and gave a call to intensify the agitation.

Lakha Sidhana was on the stage for around one hour, but no attempt was made by Delhi Police or anyone to arrest him as Delhi Police have announced Rs 1 lakh reward for giving his information, but Lakha Sidhana few days back had announced that he will hold a rally at Mehraj on February 23 and he did appear and then later left on a motorcycle from the venue.

Sidhana dared Delhi Police to come and arrest any Punjabi youth booked in the R-Day violence case and appealed to people and threatened that if any Delhi Police team came to arrest anyone in their village or city, then they should gehrao them and keep them there.

If Punjab Police accompanied them, then Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh would be responsible for it, he said.

He said, “This is a fight for the existence as history is written for those who fight for their rights as our fight is not only for fasal (crop), but for nasal (generations).”

“This historic gathering here at Mehraj has given a message to the Delhi government that do register cases against us, arrest us and beat us, but we will win this fight,” he added.

Lakha also claimed that, “We will not come back on suspension of laws for three or four years, as these public movements are not built again and again, so we will win and come back only after repealing these laws.”

Taking a dig at BKU leader Balbir Singh Rajewal, Lakha said, “When media ask question to him about Deep Sidhu and Lakha Sidana, then you say no comment, but I want to say that you don’t stand by us, but we will not allow any Delhi Police team to arrest any farmer union leader be it at Singhu, Tikri or in Punjab.”

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He also appealed to the Dalit community that although they are participating in the agitation, but more participation is required.

He said traders, commission agents and everyone has to participate as these laws would hit each and every one hard.

Lakha also clarified that they are not holding any separate programme from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, we are standing by them, we appeal to them to plan a bigger agitation in coming days.

Later, after addressing the gathering, Lakha ran away on a motorcycle from the spot.

Thousands of people since today morning started reaching at the venue to hear Lakha Sidhana.

The youngsters were seen wearing t-shirts with photos of Lakha Sidhana and Deep Sidhu.

Even a person carrying a flag of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was also spotted in the meeting.

In Mehraj and nearby villages, the Khalsa flags were seen flying on the top of a large number of houses.

Apart from Lakha Sidhana, journalist Mandeep Punia who was arrested by Delhi Police and who is not out on bail, Navdeep who damaged water cannon at Shambhu border on November 26, even grandfather of Navdeep Singh, who died in Delhi violence on January 26, also addressed the gathering.

AAP MLA from Kotkapura Kultar Singh also attended the rally, but did not address it.