As one Sikh activist takes on Punjab’s drug crisis, another faces police torture
UPDATE (12.02.24):
Sidhu was finally released, before giving an interview detailing his torture and how he was told not to criticise Punjab’s Chief Minister and the Indian govt. Watch it at-
@free5ab • Instagram photos and videos
UPDATE (01.02.24):
- Bhana (also spelled Bhaana) Sidhu to be kept incarcerated (where is being tortured) until 14th Feb
- Protests planned outside home of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann from 3rd Feb
- MP Simranjeet Singh Mann placed on house arrest for supporting rail disruption protests to counter State corruption
- Claims raised by activists that over 3500 immigration centres – who pay police “protection money” – are part of a fraud network scamming Punjab citizens
Two Sikh activists in Punjab faced contrasting situations in recent separate viral incidents, with one winning mass praise for doing work Punjab Police should be doing, whilst another was detained and tortured by officers, leading to mass protest.
The two incidents highlight the reason there is ongoing longtime concern about the role of Punjab Police in the state, as officers seem to be putting more effort into silencing activists speaking out against corruption, rather than tackling crime, once again leading to mass Sikh-led protests.
Parvinder Singh Jhota, a well-known anti-drug activist in Punjab, went viral again as he was videoed catching a drug dealer in Mansa (Punjab). Jhota has publicly spoken of his Sikh faith leading to him work to protect his community against a drug and crime epidemic which is overlooked by police. Watch the incident here via respected Sikh influencer and educational activist @Free5ab.
Later on the same day, in an assault related to his apprehending of the drug dealer, Jhota was attacked, forcing him to defend himself in a broad daylight incident. Political party Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have posted about the incident, calling for police action.
This incident came after Jhota was targeted by police just last summer (14.07.2023) for his work getting drugs off the streets. He was arrested and images of his release from prison went viral because of the visible burn marks on him from electrocution torture. The torture occurred after Jhota reported a drug dealer to police, only to be arrested himself. Jhota remains a hugely popular figure on Facebook for his activism.
In Punjab, the cooperation between Punjab’s drug mafia and the state’s police force is well known, although largely whispered out of fear of repercussions. Yet, even India’s notoriously corrupt pro-government media have had to report some aspects of the notorious criminal nexus.
In an incident sadly similar to the torture Jhota has faced, another popular Sikh activist faced police brutality recently.
Bhana Sidhu, an activist with millions of social media followers who is an affiliate of respected figure Lakha Sidhana and was a prominent organiser during the #FarmersProtest, has also been tackling the drug problem and other issues of exploitation in Punjab. Sidhu was arrested by Punjab police on the 21st of January.
According to Punjab based reports, 33-year-old Sidhu has been officially targeted because of his attempt to have an immigration firm return over $100,000+ in money taken from families to help specific individuals emigrate to the USA, only for the them to be shipped to East Asia instead. One women whose family was scammed by an immigration firm went public to detail how Sidhu has been helping her, leading to police action against him. Watch the interview (in Punjabi), which sees her also highlight government corruption allowing the fraud, below-
Sidhu was illegally detained and tortured by Punjab police since, as reported by Sikh Punjab based aid group Your Seva. Given the nature of the mass police mobilisation against Sidhu, it is believed his arrest and torture has been authorised by the Chief Minister of Punjab Bhagwant Mann, of the Aam Aadmi Party.
Yesterday (29th January) an estimated 20,000+ of Bhana Sidhu’s village area of Kot Dhunna in Barnala district came out for a mass demonstration against his treatment, as news broke of more cases being registered against him by police, allowing him to be kept in jail where he has reported torture. Sidhu currently has four cases levelled against him, including alleged “chain snatching”. India’s purposefully obscure judicial process means this could change to extend his incarceration. Within the protest crowd, criticism of AAP was loud.
Respected Sikh politician of Punjab’s SAD Simranjeet Singh Mann said that a mass demonstration will be held tomorrow (31st January) should Sidhu not be released. Further protests outside the home of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann have been discussed within activist circles.
The Sidhu incident and ongoing targeting of Jhota are seen as part of an ongoing silent genocide in Punjab where the Indian government is trying to demobilise Sikhs, by violently clamping down on influential activists with public support. Their plight is being compared to the situations of the likes of the late Deep Sidhu and murdered music star Sidhu Moosewala, whose mother released a video in support of Bhana Sidhu last week.
Speaking on the issue, Sikh Press Association Senior Press Officer Jasveer Singh said:
“The current situations involving both Parvinder Singh Jhota and Bhana Sidhu highlight the corruption within Punjab which Sikhs have been speaking against for decades. This is a corruption which tarnishes not just the reputation but the every day life of Punjab. It transcends political parties and other affiliations. Because authorities turn a blind eye to drug dealing and fraud, community sevadaars (selfless servants) take it upon themselves to help their people. Anyone active in doing anything which can expose this corruption becomes targeted, but popular figures like Sidhu are considered more dangerous because of the reach they have.
“This is a very familiar tale for Punjabi Sikhs, but it is one Sikhs are more vocal and active about nowadays, as reflected in the mass demonstrations taking place and the global support being shown for Jhota and Sidhu. However, many will feel that their activism will inevitably lead to the same fate many Punjabi Sikh activists have faced, which is an untimely death. Global Sikh groups continue to highlight the situation, which may lead to mass diaspora protests.”
Despite his situation, Sidhu bravely said “I will keep fighting for my people”, when approached by media during a police transfer.
Further updates on this story will be published accordingly.
Media inquiries- media@sikhpa.com.
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