Independent MP Endorses Kumari Killing; Fear Grips Influencers

On 17 Jun, After Akal Takht (Eternal Throne) head granthi (reciter) Giani Malkit Singh justified the Amritpal Singh Mehron’s killing of social media influencer Kanchan Kumari, alias Kamal Kaur Bhabhi. On 19 Jun, independent Faridkot Member of Parliament Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa endorsed the act, calling it a 'sacrifice by Mehron for the Sikh Panth (Collective).' Khalsa, accompanied by jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh’s father Tarsem Singh, visited Mehron village in Moga and met Mehron’s family. Khalsa said, '90% people believe it was a justified act. What is there to condemn? He has ruined his own life too. No one does such a thing happily. This is his sacrifice for the Panth.' However, Tarsem Singh said he does not endorse the killing and added, 'Social media accounts promoting unethical content should be suspended.' Mehron had threatened another influencer, Deepika Luthra who has now deleted her Instagram page. Another influencer, Chand Singh from village Bandra, Bathinda also threatened by Mehron, said, 'Mehron cannot target the big singers and actors who use cuss words in their content, so he comes after small content creators trying to make a living from small villages. But I have apologized.' While some—certainly not 90%—believe Kumari calling herself Kaur and posting what seemed ‘vulgar content’ was an attack on Sikh religion, neither the Sikh Rehit Maryada (code of conduct) nor the law permits such killings by vigilante groups. That a granthi who educates others on maryada which forbids killing women (and unarmed) or an elected representative who has taken his oath on the Constitution of India are bowing to popular opinion is wrong and signals a shift in Panjab society towards mob justice. Nihang (traditional Sikh warrior) leader Harjeet Singh Rasulpur criticized Mehron for blackmailing people. He said, 'If anyone is feeling threatened by Mehron, they are free to approach me and I will stand by them. Why are Mehron and his men even watching this kind of content? If somebody wants to show their own character through their social media posts, what is Mehron’s business in it?' (earlier coverage).