New Delhi: Former Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu had plenty to say after stepped out of a Patiala jail Saturday, ranging from effusive praise for Rahul Gandhi amid the disqualification row to stringent criticism for his “younger brother”, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
He was, however, not direct in his reply to questions about Punjab’s most wanted man, Khalistani activist Amritpal Singh.
Sidhu, who spent about 10 months in Patiala’s Central Jail, was sentenced to a year’s rigorous imprisonment by the Supreme Court over the death of 65-year-old Gurnam Singh in a road rage case in 1988 last year, but got an early release due to “good behaviour”.
Attacking the central government, the former cricketer said that its “Hindutva agenda” wouldn’t work in Punjab like it did in Kashmir, because the state wasn’t a Sikh or a Muslim state, but for the “Gurus”, and that there were attempts to break it.
He also alleged that there was a “conspiracy to put President’s Rule in Punjab, where there is a minority government in power”.
According to reports, a number of Congress leaders, including former Punjab Congress chiefs Shamsher Singh Dullo, Mohinder Singh Kaypee and Lal Singh, former MLA Navtej Singh Cheema, Amritsar MP Gurjeet Aujla, other leaders and supporters had assembled outside the prison for Sidhu’s release.
Dhol players had also been stationed outside the prison, while several posters and hoardings of the former Punjab Congress chief were put up in Patiala city to welcome him.
Although he was expected to be released from jail at Saturday noon, the process got delayed by over eight hours, which Sidhu claimed was due to the Punjab government being “terrified” and wanting the media to leave before he was released. “They were testing the media. Unless they (media) don’t leave, Sidhu will not be released,” he told mediapersons.
Sidhu’s son Karan Sidhu also expressed unhappiness over the “delay” in his father’s release, claiming it might be due to “politics”.
‘Revolution’s name is Rahul Gandhi’
Targeting Bhagwant Mann, Sidhu alleged that the CM had sold “false dreams” to the people of Punjab and questioned him over the state’s financial burden, debt incurred by providing free domestic electricity, Bargari sacrilege, promised MSP for crops and provision of jobs and regularisation, and law and order over Sidhu Moosewala’s death.
Meanwhile, expressing his support and respect for the Gandhi family, Sidhu while talking to the media said: “Now listen to me. Whenever a dictatorship came in this country, a revolution also came, and today I can say while beating my chest that the revolution’s name is Rahul Gandhi and he will shake the roots of this government.”
#WATCH | Patiala: Whenever a dictatorship came to this country a revolution has also come and this time, the name of that revolution is Rahul Gandhi. He will rattle the govt: Navjot Singh Sidhu soon after his release from Patiala jail pic.twitter.com/wkrBrObxDG
— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2023
The 59-year-old also expressed his fears about how “democracy is in chains” in the country.
“If my younger brother Bhagwant Mann is listening, it’s for him also. Punjab is a shield, against which attempts have been made to break it, there is conspiracy to put President’s Rule. Wherever there is minority rule, or minority is in power that is where democracy is conspired against by the central government,” Sidhu claimed.
Patiala | There is no such thing as democracy right now. Conspiracy to bring President’s Rule in Punjab. Minorities being targeted. If you try to weaken Punjab, you will become weak: Navjot Singh Sidhu soon after his release from Patiala jail pic.twitter.com/64UTOaCUJM
— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2023
He further discussed fears about his wife’s ailing health due to cancer and invoked Ambedkar’s fraternity. “I am not scared. What I am doing is not for my family, but for the next generation of Punjab. Nothing is bigger than love for one’s country. The Centre is trying to break Bhim Rao Ambedkar’s fraternity, meaning how everyone in India despite differences in religion and culture are part of one big family. That is what is being attacked and its protector is Rahul Gandhi.”
(Edited by Richa Mishra)
Also Read: Sidhu gets year in jail for 1988 road rage, SC cites young cricketer’s ‘edge’ over elderly victim