Violence In Patiala (Punjab): Main Conspirator Not New To Controversy

The main conspirator of the Patiala clash, Barjinder Singh Parwana, is not new to controversies. He is the self-styled chief of Damdami Taksal Jatha Rajpura, a Sikh seminary and currently has 4 FIRs lodged against him. The cases registered against Parwana previously include an attempt to murder, an arms act, issuing threats and violating the disaster management act.

The IG of Patiala range, Mukhwinder Singh Chhina said that Barjinder Singh Parwana incited the mob on Friday. "Parwana is a prime accused who is the mastermind behind all the violence. He is responsible for creating a law and order problem," says Chhina.

The violence in Patiala happened on April 29 when two groups clashed during an anti-Khalistan rally taken out by local Shiv Sena leaders.

The CIA Patiala team, headed by Inspector Shaminder Singh, arrested Barjinder Singh Parwana at Mohali airport on Sunday morning.

HOW THE PATIALA CLASH STARTED

The legal adviser of banned outfit Sikh for Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, made an announcement to observe “Khalistan day” on April 29. After the announcement, Shivsena (Bal Thackeray) president Harish announced a "Khalistan Murdabad March" on the same day.

Protesting against the latter announcement, Barjinder Singh Parwana said he would not allow anyone to hold such an event. He made a public appeal on social media to radicals to converge at Patiala on April 29.

In a video taken before the day of the violence, Parwana is seen provoking the people with religious sentiments. “If someone says anything against Khalistan, we will not tolerate it. We will go to any extent, be it within the parameters of law or beyond the law. Our religious feelings are connected with Khalistan. Even five to seven-year-old children have the same feeling. How can one deprive us of this (Khalistan)?” says Parwana in the video.

He continued further by saying, “Khalistan tha, Khalistan hai aur Khalistan rahega (Khalistan was, Khalistan is and will remain)”

WHAT HAPPENED DURING PATIALA CLASHES?

A Shiv Sena rally against Khalistan was disrupted by clashes between two groups on April 29. At the clashes near the Kali Mata temple in Patiala, stones were hurled and swords were brandished.

The incident happened when the Shivsena was carrying out a march against Khalistani groups near Kali Mata temple in Patiala. The rally was led by Punjab Shivsena working president Harish Singla.