Sea Of Saffron Floods Rajoana’S Native Village

[Azaad]

A groundswell of support in favour of clemency for Rajoana is evident in most parts of the Doaba region where people participated in marches organised by various Sikh organisations.

Responding to an appeal by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, a large number of people put up saffron flags atop their houses. Protest marches were taken out in Jalandhar, Phagwara and Hoshiarpur.

Most roads in Muktsar are dotted with saffron flags as a mark of protest against the impending hanging of Rajoana. Flags with a 'khanda' printed on these have been hoisted atop every prominent building here.

A few Sikh organisations today carried out a protest march in the city while supporting the Punjab bandh call for tomorrow.

A sea of saffron has flooded this nondescript village of Ludhiana district. Residents of the native hamlet of Balwant Singh Rajoana have hoisted saffron flags on their immovable prperty and vehicles as an expression of solidarity with Rajoana's family.

Flag marches by security forces and appeals by the administration failed to deter them to support Rajoana’s ideology. Irrespective of their political allegiance, the residents are united when it came to the question of Rajoana's life.

"We tried to persuade Balwant to make an appeal, but he refused. Now, the government and Sikh organisations should find out some constitutional way to save his life," said Jagdeep Singh, the village sarpanch. "Nobody knows what is in store for us. We will not deviate from the path adopted by our uncle who has preferred death to begging," said Ravneet Singh, Rajoana's nephew.