Punjab: Monica Bedi, extridited along with underworld don Abu Salem from Portugal, is getting support from unexpected quarters in Punjab.
Nihangs, or warrior Sikhs, are now rallying behind her.
Offering anachronistic logic, the Nihangs are drawing a parallel to the times when Muslim invaders carried away women from Punjab.
They feel, similarly, Monica has been wronged by Abu Salem and needs their help.
Incidentally, the Tarna Dal (Young Nihang Group) has its head office at Harianewela, about 3 km from Chabbewal village, where Monica hails from.
Canada-based Nihal Singh Harainwelawala heads the group and his local chapter is gearing up for Monica's support.
The spokesman of the group, Baba Hari Singh, says, "Monica Bedi is Punjab's daughter and it is our duty to help her. We will give her financial and moral support and protection if the need arises."
He adds that the Nihang group, who were Guru Gobind Singh's army, was committed to saving girls from Punjab who were picked up by Muslim invaders.
"We will now save Monica and will protect her with arms if need be. We have appealed to others groups too to come her support," he says.
"This girl has been misled. She has been scared and threatened and the government should try to find out what is the real reason," he adds.
However, Baba Hari Singh gives a twist to the tale. He insists Monica should not go back to Salem if she is provided support by the Nihangs.
The Nihangs plan to visit Hyderabad with Monica's paternal uncle, Purshottam Bedi, to meet her.
They insist that their only motive in helping her is to provide support to a girl they believe has been wronged.
Nihang member, Sher Singh, says, the group has no political agenda in helping Monica. "We are following the directives of our Guru," he claims.
Monica Bedi may or may not have been coerced into submission by Salem, but the Nihangs in Punjab are gearing up to protect her.
(With P S Bariana in Hoshiarpur)
Comments
0 comment