The name of gangster-turned-activist Lakhbir Singh alias Lakha Sidhana has come to the fore for the unprecedented chaos and rampage witnessed in the national capital, including the majestic Red Fort, during the farmers’ Tractor Rally on Tuesday. Many would, however, be wondering as to who is Lakha Sidhana.
Who is Lakha Sidhana?
With over a dozen cases registered against him in Punjab, gangster-turned activist Sidhana has been accused of mobilising the crowd during the rally coinciding with India’s 72nd Republic Day.
Sidhana, a youth icon with significant followers on social media, has several criminal cases against him.
Hailing from Punjab, Sidhana as the Malwa Youth Federation chief kept himself busy in various kinds of social welfare activities. According to reports, Sidhana grabbed attention of all, particularly the youth, due to his social work.
He has been credited with organising mass marriage of poor women to providing meals for the under-privileged during the lockdown imposed in the country courtesy the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Youth Icon With Criminal Record
The youth from Punjab has, however, another side to his personality as well with over a dozen cases, including one under the Gangster Act, lodged against him.
He first grabbed eyeballs for wrong reasons in 2015 after being charged with murdering a Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) supporter in Punjab’s Bathinda.
This followed with a case being registered against him in 2017 for Prevention of Damage to Public Property as he along with other activists defaced Hindi and English off signboards while firmly demanding that Punjabi be put on top. Protests followed his arrest.
Days after his arrest, a case was also lodged against him under Section 420 of the IPC and Section 42 of the Prisons Act. This as Sidhana was not only found to have possession of two mobile phones in prison but also recorded a Facebook live that went on for nine minutes where he advised the people on driving.
Then in 2019, Sidhana was booked along with around 70 unidentified people for violating law and order at Badal village and on charges of attempting to kill some police personnel on duty.
Participation in Farmers’ Protest
Sidhana was through his Instagram account seen voicing his support towards the ongoing farmers’ protest at the Delhi borders against the three farm laws brought in by the Central Government.
Some reports suggest he also delivered provocative speeches while participating in the protest at the Singhu border since November last year.
The youth from Punjab also made his views on Instagram with regard to the violence during Tuesday’s rally, stating a lot of rumours and fear triggered the clashes in the national capital.
