Chandigarh: Reena Rai, a US-based actress, who was the fiancee of the late Deep Sidhu, founder of the controversial outfit ‘Waris Punjab De’ has condemned the actions of Amritpal Singh, the president of the now-turned Khalistani group.
In an interview with Pro Punjab web channel, Reena Rai said that Deep Sidhu was neither a separatist nor a believer in violence. He stood for the prosperity of all Punjabis and the rights of the agrarian state. But Amritpal clandestinely hijacked the party to meet his Khalistani ambitions.”
She dismissed attempts being made by Amritpal to portray Deep Sidhu as a martyr killed by the state when he was just a normal human being who died in a midnight accident in Haryana last year. She was travelling with Deep in the ill-fated jeep when the accident took place and had sustained minor injuries.
Reena alleged that everything was being done to collect large amounts of donations from abroad (Sara kujh apnia rotia sekn layi kita ja reha hae).
However, Reena’s claim of his innocence notwithstanding, it is well-known that Deep Sidhu eulogised militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and was accused of pursuing a separatist agenda while projecting himself as a leader of the farmers.
The intelligence agencies have reportedly procured Deep’s transcripts discussing separatism with his followers on internet chatrooms.
The ‘Sanyukt Kisan Morcha’ leadership held him responsible of violence at Red Fort on January 26, 2021 defaming the national farmers’ movement against 3 farm laws, now repealed.
Pained at the allegations that she connived with the state’s agencies to kill Deep, Reena challenged Amritpal and his men to appear before the ‘Akal Takht Sahib’ (highest temporal seat of the Sikhs) in the Golden Temple precincts to swear that she or the state killed him.
To a question, Reena replied that she was to get married to Deep in November 2022, after the divorce settlement with his first wife. But God had a different plan, a sobbing Reena said.
Responding to a question on the Ajnala violence, Deep’s fiancé said that carrying the holy Guru Granth Sahib to the police station and indulging in violence was highly condemnable.
Reena debunked the allegation that the agencies of the state planted a liquor bottle in the jeep saying, “I had brought that bottle from the US.”
It was Amritpal and Mandeep Sidhu (Deep’s younger brother) who advised her to go back to the US as her life may be in danger in India. They also told her not to attend the ‘Bhog ceremony’ of Deep Sidhu but that she could come later to meet the Sidhu family to express her condolences.
Also Read: Why New India must defeat Amritpal Singh’s cause of a theocratic Khalistan
