CHANDIGARH India: The Punjab government has decided to take action against the Sikh Singers of religious folklore (Ragis and Dhadhis) who eulogize the assassins of Indira Gandhi and extol the role of Sant Jarnait Singh Bhindranwale.
Two such folklore singers, Surjit Kaur and Jaspal Kaur known as “Nabhe wali Bibian” (Women of Nabha in Patiala district) were arrested on Thursday by the Ludhiana police under the section 10 of the Unlawful Activities. According to Mr.A.P. Pandy, S.S.P. Ludhiana, the two women were arrested for antinational activities. They had allegedly delivered objectionable speeches and songs about Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in Guru Nanak Engineering College at Ludhiana.
Mr. Balwant Singh Premi and Mr. Sant Singh Maskeen, two other singers and preachers have: also been arrested.
Earlier, the Punjab Government’s plea that, these folklore singers should be proceeded against, was ignored by the Centre. Later, the state Government had emphasized that certain singers were trying to spread alienation among the Sikh masses to the detriment of peace and communal harmony. The Government had also sent a formal report to the Centre.
The Punjab Government has taken action against the singers apparently after getting a green signal from the Centre now.
The state government had prepared a list of about a dozen such singers whose activities are considered objectionable.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 8, 1988
