Sandeep Singh: Ranjit Singh Met With Jaikaras As He Exits Tihar Jail To A Hero's Welcome
Sandeep Singh: Ranjit Singh Met With Jaikaras As He Exits Tihar Jail To A Hero's Welcome
In what has become an iconic moment, Ranjit Singh is seen smiling as jaikara’s roared and flowers showered down as he is welcomed by farmers
Sandeep Singh
March 17, 2021 | 3 min. read
Finally, 47 days after his arrest, Ranjit Singh has walked out of Delhi’s Tihar Jail on bail to a hero’s welcome.
In what has become an iconic moment, Ranjit Singh is seen smiling as jaikara’s roared and flowers showered down as he is welcomed by farmers. Dhols were also played and people crowded around him dancing.
The 22-year-old, hailing from Kajampur in Punjab’s Nawanshahr District, was arrested on January 29, after defending a women's tent during a goon attack on Singhu Border by suspected members of the BJP and RSS.
The image of his bleeding head under a Delhi Police officer's boot, and videos of him being beaten multiple times by authorities, has become a symbol of police brutality in India.
He was granted bail yesterday, as he faces charges for attempted murder. Virinderpal Singh Sandhu, a member of the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (“DSGMC”) legal team, told Baaz in an exclusive interview earlier this month that the test needed to meet such charges would never be met in this case where ample video evidence and media coverage clearly show Ranjit Singh innocence.
“He has done nothing. As per me, he’s a victim and the complaint should be on his behalf against the rioters,” he goes on to add, “fortunately, this time, with the help of media fellows…they have recorded everything. Simply by that evidence, anyone can see who is a victim and who is accused.”
DSGMC received Ranjit Singh last night with the warmth he deserved. From Tihar Jail, Ranjit Singh was taken to a park in Delhi’s Subhash Nagar where a Delhi Fateh Divas event was organized. Thousands attended to see him.
Around 100 people were on stage with Ranjit Singh as he addressed the crowd. He was holding a sword and laden with siropas and flowers. DSGMC President Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced that Ranjit Singh would be given six siropas in the name of the farmers, the Delhi sangat, the diaspora community, and others.
As a sign of appreciation, Ranjit Singh’s mother gifted Sirsa a suit that was given to him on the stage.
Sirsa made two other announcements. Ranjit Singh will be taken to Harmandir Sahib in the morning, and a special appeal has been made to the residents of Amritsar to welcome Ranjit Singh on March 18, 10 AM IST, at Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport.
Sirsa also shared that DSGMC will honor all those farmers released from Delhi’s jails on March 28 at the historic Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib, which is a few hundred meters from the Red Fort.
Sis Ganj Sahib was also previously targeted by pro-government demonstrators attempting to provoke and malign the Sikh community after the January 26 Tractor Rally.
Ranjit Singh told reporters that he remained in chardi kala and meditated on Waheguru as the police beat him. Regardless of how much they tortured him or spoke ill of his identity, Ranjit Singh never lost hope. A message that has resonated strongly with farmers demonstrating around Delhi.
Sandeep Singh hails from Machhiwara, Punjab. As an independent journalist, he has worked with many prominent Indian news organizations. Sandeep has been following the farmer’s protest in Punjab since its onset and traveled with them to Delhi. He spends most of his time at the Singhu border protest site. You can follow Sandeep on Twitter @Punyaab
Baaz is home to opinions, ideas, and original reporting for the Sikh and Punjabi diaspora. Support us by subscribing. Find us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook at @BaazNewsOrg. If you would like to submit a written piece for consideration please email us at editor@baaznews.org.