Centre questions legitimacy of newborn; Father alleges AAP Govt of harassment which says Centre behind it
A controversy of considerable magnitude has erupted in Punjab just days after late Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu alias Sidhu Moosewala’s 58-year-old mother gave birth to a baby boy through IVF treatment. The birth, a symbol of hope and renewal for the family after the tragic loss of the world renowned Punjabi singer, has been overshadowed by questions of newborn’s legitimacy, allegations of harassment and bureaucratic interference leveled by Sidhu family against the Punjab Government.
Balkaur Singh, Sidhu Moosewala’s father, accused the Punjab Government of subjecting him to undue pressure and harassment in the wake of his newborn son’s arrival. Taking to social media platform, Singh expressed his dismay over what he described as relentless demands for legal documentation to prove the legitimacy of the child. This unexpected turn of events has marred what should have been a period of celebration for the family, stirring emotions and drawing attention from across the political spectrum.
“Two days ago, by the blessings of Waheguru and your prayers, we got our Shubhdeep (Sidhu Moosewala) back…However, the administration has been harassing me since morning, asking me to furnish documents of the baby. They are posing me several questions, asking me to prove that this child is legal,” said Balkaur Singh in an over two-minute video he posted on social media.
He also requested the Government, “particularly CM saab (Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann), let the treatment be completed”.
“I hail from this place and will come wherever you call me…As I am in pain, I want to tell you in strong words that you have a habit of taking u-turns. Your advisors give you such advice...I am not among those who take u-turns,” he said, asserting that he did not violate any law.
“If I have done so (violated the law), send me behind bars, lodge an FIR against me, put me in jail and then carry out an investigation. I will provide all the legal documents and come out clean from all this,” he added.
Coming in defense, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) revealed a letter from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare addressed to the Punjab Government seeking detailed information regarding the IVF treatment undergone by Singh’s wife, Charan Kaur. The letter, dated March 14, raised concerns about Kaur’s age, citing provisions from the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, which sets an age limit of 21-50 years for women undergoing such procedures. Kaur, at 58 years old, exceeds this limit, prompting inquiries into the legality of the treatment.
“Therefore, you are requested to look into the matter and submit a report to this department of the action taken in this case as per the ART (Regulation) Act, 2021,” the letter stated.
AAP’s Punjab unit, in a post on X, wrote, “The @BJP4India-ruled Central Government has sought a report from the government of Punjab regarding the IVF treatment of Smt Charan Kaur (late Sidhu Moosewala's mother)…Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann always respects the sentiments and dignity of Punjabis, it's the central government that has asked for the documents.”
The revelation of the letter has sparked a war of words between political parties, with the AAP pointing fingers at the BJP-led Central Government for instigating the inquiry, while Punjab Health Minister and senior AAP leader Dr Balbir Singh refuted these claims, attributing the initiative to the Centre and denouncing what he perceives as a “poor mindset” behind the inquiry. Regardless of the source, the scrutiny faced by Moosewala’s family has drawn widespread condemnation and calls for action.
The principal opposition party in the state, Congress, has been quick to capitalize on the controversy, lambasting both the AAP-led Punjab Government and the BJP-led Centre for their alleged mistreatment of Moosewala’s family.
Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring denounced the harassment faced by the family, urging Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to intervene and put an end to their ordeal. Similar sentiments were echoed by the Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa, who criticized the actions of both governments, accusing them of targeting Moosewala's parents unjustly.
Attacking the State Government for “bothering” Moosewala’s father with legal hurdles, Warring, in a post on X, said: “Bhagwant Mann ji, you are probably the only Punjabi who has not yet congratulated @iBalkaurSidhu ji on the birth of his son and now your administration is bothering him with its legal hurdles. Request you to stop harassing the Sidhu family and let them be happy for once.”
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia said that it was unfortunate to seek documents from Singh and accused the State Government of harassing the family.
Sidhu family welcomed a baby boy on March 17, nearly two years after Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, popularly known as Sidhu Moosewala, was murdered in broad daylight in Punjab’s Mansa district on May 29, 2022. The slain singer had unsuccessfully contested the assembly elections in 2022 on a Congress ticket from Mansa, facing defeat from AAP nominee Vijay Singla.