NRIs Come To Bhullar’s Support
~~Sanjay Sharma, CHANDIGARH
Rich NRI Sikhs wield considerable influence in Punjab as they are a major source of finance in the state
Rich NRI Sikhs wield considerable influence in Punjab as they are a major source of finance in the state
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| Devinder Pal Bhullar |
1991 Delhi blast convict facing the gallows, Devinder Pal Bhullar, is getting considerable support from rich NRI Sikhs, whom the political class in Punjab cannot afford to ignore.
According to observers, this is because NRIs are a major source of financial support in the state and actively advocate for causes related to human rights, identity, promotion of religion, issues of justice and politics. NRIs are even known to threaten not hosting influential people in their countries if their causes are not considered. A section of NRIs also comprise those who were directly affected, or were victims of communal violence and police atrocities and therefore have a personal investment in these causes.
Intelligence and investigative agencies have been on the watch for any probable link between terror plans in Punjab and foreign funding. The police had earlier claimed to have cracked modules in which funds were provided by foreign sources for carrying out terror strikes in Punjab. Terrorists like Ranjit Singh Nitta, Babbar Khalsa and Paramjit Singh Panjwar are believed to be residing in Pakistan and are allegedly providing funds and looking out for contract operatives in Punjab to carry out terror strikes.
More recently, the National Investigative Agency (NIA) on its website uploaded details of deposits into the bank account of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh's assassin Balwant Singh Rajoana, immediately after a court confirmed his death sentence. Details of Rajoana's sister's bank account also showed deposits of crores of rupees.
Though illegal, even political parties are known to collect funds during elections from foreign sources. NRIs are known to exercise a massive influence on voters of their villages, mostly around Jalandhar, which depend on the money provided by the NRIs.
The NRIs are not only powerful in Punjab but also in their countries of adoption as they are seen as vote banks by the political parties of those countries. This was clear in British Prime Minister David Cameron's visit to the Golden Temple before elections.
According to observers, this is because NRIs are a major source of financial support in the state and actively advocate for causes related to human rights, identity, promotion of religion, issues of justice and politics. NRIs are even known to threaten not hosting influential people in their countries if their causes are not considered. A section of NRIs also comprise those who were directly affected, or were victims of communal violence and police atrocities and therefore have a personal investment in these causes.
Intelligence and investigative agencies have been on the watch for any probable link between terror plans in Punjab and foreign funding. The police had earlier claimed to have cracked modules in which funds were provided by foreign sources for carrying out terror strikes in Punjab. Terrorists like Ranjit Singh Nitta, Babbar Khalsa and Paramjit Singh Panjwar are believed to be residing in Pakistan and are allegedly providing funds and looking out for contract operatives in Punjab to carry out terror strikes.
More recently, the National Investigative Agency (NIA) on its website uploaded details of deposits into the bank account of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh's assassin Balwant Singh Rajoana, immediately after a court confirmed his death sentence. Details of Rajoana's sister's bank account also showed deposits of crores of rupees.
Though illegal, even political parties are known to collect funds during elections from foreign sources. NRIs are known to exercise a massive influence on voters of their villages, mostly around Jalandhar, which depend on the money provided by the NRIs.
The NRIs are not only powerful in Punjab but also in their countries of adoption as they are seen as vote banks by the political parties of those countries. This was clear in British Prime Minister David Cameron's visit to the Golden Temple before elections.
Courtesy: TheSundayGuardian
