For
a daughter, what would be so sorrowful that her father has been behind the bars
since her birth? Why did he do this? What were the reasons? Today I am 22 know
the fact & I’m proud of my father, Hari Singh. He who witnessed the evils of democratic
India in 1990s & in a bid to change the society, he caught up into a
scandalous crime in 1993 and eventually sentenced to a lifelong imprisonment.
Read the following to know the full story…
Born
in 1956, Mr. Hari Singh from Jhajjar district, Rohtak, Haryana is leading a
life of storm today. Coming from a poor background, he started his career as a
teacher in 1980. Later he worked in Jagson International & Jagson Airlines
and DHL Air Freight in 1984 and 1985 respectively. Mr. Singh became
self-employed and bought a truck for his livelihood in 1987. His life took a
terrific turn in 1992 when his truck carrying goods of Rs. 2.5 lakhs was looted
by robbers near Ranchi. Knowing that the police and lawyers would help him, for
8 months he prayed for help but was heard by none and became the victim of
corruption. Although he got his truck back, his financial status became nil and
he became totally unemployed.
During
that time, India became victim of casteism and communal disharmony, political
parties targeted the seat of power and corruption and bribery was at the peak.
The spirit of patriotism infused in Hari Singh when Babri Masjid and Ram Mandir
were demolished followed by serial bomb blast in Madras, Bombay and Kolkata in
9, 10 and 11 December, 1992. Innocent people died that reminded him the heinous
act of 1984 anti-Sikh riots. It was unbearable for Hari Singh that people
became a prey to political angst. Where is the end to these? Such gross
incidents directly hit Hari Singh. What will happen to his children and the
future generation was his only worry?
A
true Gandhian, Hari Singh stood up for his country to bring peace and harmony
by putting a risk to his life. He wrote a letter to the then PM, Narasimha Rao
addressing the present situation knowing the fact that his rule led India to
ditches. After 24 hours, on March 28, 1993, Hari Singh hijacked a plane without
any arms or ammunition just to highlight the prevalent communalism and
corruption in India. Surprisingly, the passengers were not terror-struck and
they were safe. He surrendered on the same day.
The
Indian constitution stamped his decision an act of guilty, named him hijacker
and he has been sentenced for lifetime imprisonment since 1993. What he did may
be considered as a crime by many but it was an act of ahimsa that anyone would
think hundred times before doing it! Between 1993 and 2014, Hari Singh got
bailed in 1995; appealed at the high court many times to lessen down his years;
put his grievances to the lawyers but in vain. He received motivated letters
from eminent people like Khushwant Singh. He was again marked guilty in 2001.
But a true citizen, he helped and motivated prisoners in the jail and got 3
awards from 1993-1995 for his excellent conduct.
21
years have passed and we are still seeking justice for our father who fell into
the cobweb of bad times and situations. Today, I am proud of my father. This is
not our fight but your fight too because at some point your father or
grandfather has also witnessed such burning problems in that period too.
Nidhi My support With you.
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