Bhim Singh, the father of anti-drugs activist Parvinder Jhota, who was murdered by a medical store owner, has refused to meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying he does not want anyone from the Nehru-Gandhi family to visit the ongoing 'Jhota Insaf Morcha' protest in Punjab's Mansa.He also asked members of the family to stay away from his family, linking his decision to his Sikh faith and his allegiance to the Panth.Addressing the protest, Bhim Singh clarified that he had no personal good or bad relations with Rahul Gandhi. However, he made a direct appeal to the Congress leader, asking him not to visit the protest site or come near his family.With folded hands, he requested that no one from the Nehru-Gandhi family, including Rahul, come to the dharna.
He also sought to keep members of the family of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh away from the protest. Before referring specifically to Rahul Gandhi, Bhim Singh said several political leaders, including Congress and BJP leaders, had visited the protest site and that no one had objected to their visits.
He said the family was willing to meet leaders, barring those from two families.The two families he referred to were the Nehru-Gandhi family, represented by Rahul Gandhi, and the family of Beant Singh, in connection with BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu. Bhim Singh had earlier asked Bittu not to visit the protest site.WHY JHOTA'S FATHER DOES NOT WANT TO MEET THE GANDHI FAMILY Explaining his position, Bhim Singh linked his refusal to his Sikh identity and the respect he believes he has received from the Panth.
He referred to Guru Nanak Dev, Guru Gobind Singh, Akali Baba Phula Singh, Baba Deep Singh and his connection with Sri Akal Takht Sahib.He said the status and respect he enjoys have come from the Panth and his faith, and that allowing members of the families he has objected to near the protest could put that standing at risk.Bhim Singh said he feared that such a meeting could lead to him being expelled from the Panth or declared tankhaiya (a person found guilty of religious misconduct and liable to religious punishment). He made it clear that he could not do anything that would amount to insulting his faith.His remarks came amid the ongoing Jhota Insaf Morcha in Mansa, where the family has been seeking justice for Parvinder Jhota.WHO WAS PARVINDER JHOTAKnown for raising his voice against drug abuse and illegal sale of addictive substances at chemist shops, Jhota was shot in broad daylight inside a medical store at a busy marketplace in Mansa on October 13.Ashwani Kumar, the store owner who opened fire on Jhota after he questioned him for selling addictive drugs to an elderly man, was taken into custody from Salasar in Rajasthan.The incident, which took place while Jhota was hosting a Facebook Live, triggered a political slugfest in Punjab, which goes to polls early next year.- Ends