Baltej Pannu is an Indian journalist, social activist, and political satirist who made headlines for his support for the Indian farm protests against three farmers’ bills passed by the Indian Parliament in September 2020.
Wiki/Biography
Baltej Pannu was born on Friday, April 5, 1968 (53 years old in 2021) in Sultanpur Lodhi, Punjab. He studied in a government high school in Sultanpur Lodhi and at the age of 18, he moved to Canada with his father. After working in Canada for 25 years, he returned in 2011.
appearance
Hair Color: Bald
Eye color: Black
Family and caste
Parents and siblings
Bartei’s mother died of cancer when he was very young.
Baltej Pannu and his father
Relationships, Wife and Children
His wife’s name is Ranjita Kaur and he has a son named Jasdeep Pannu.
Baltej Pannu and his son
address
Mr. Pannu is a resident of Green Field Enclave, Officers Colony, Patiala, Punjab.
Profession
Journalism
Baltej Pannu started as a radio journalist in Brampton, Canada in 1990. He rose to fame after working for several world-renowned radio news stations including Punjabi Radio USA, BC Radio Canada and Edmonton South Asian Radio. Mr. Pannu returned to India in 2011 and started working as an editor for the website www.aajnama.com in 2013. Due to his social and political activism, Baltej started appearing six days a week in many radio and television programs on 5AAB TV, a Punjabi channel based in Mississauga; Mississauga is a city in Canada. He has appeared in many news programs including “Khabar Te Nazar” on the YouTube channel Punjabi Radio USA.
Social and political activities
Baltej Pannu has openly criticised the Punjab government for failing to control corruption and the growing illegal drug trade during Parkash Singh Badal’s tenure as Chief Minister. Baltej has claimed on Radio Punjab USA and Radio BC Canada that since Parkash Singh Badal, his son and two brothers-in-law hold important political positions in the Punjab government, they must have close links with drug dealers and organised crime. Mr Pannu has also been outspoken against the Citizenship Act and the National Citizenship Act introduced by the BJP government in December 2019. He has also protested against the Indian Agricultural Bills of 2020.
dispute
- On November 28, 2015, Baltej was arrested for allegedly raping Nancy Ghuman, an activist who runs an NGO for children with disabilities. Nancy had filed a complaint against Mr. Pannu, alleging that he had raped her multiple times on the pretext of marrying her and taking her to Canada. She even interrupted a press conference held by AAP MP Bhagwant Mann for Baltej. Bhagwant fled the press conference and Nancy told reporters,
When I insisted that he marry me, he started threatening me by uploading a video to defame me. That’s when I decided to involve him in the rape case.”
After she filed a complaint, Baltai was held in judicial custody for 72 days due to his Canadian citizenship. Later, the court acquitted the journalist. In an interview after his release, Baltai admitted that he was a victim of political retaliation for opposing the Akali-BJP government. He even reportedly received death threats from Akali ministerial gunmen for his anti-government speeches.
Baltej Pannu was arrested
- During the 2021 farmers’ protest, Baltej and 11 other protesters received a notice from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with a case against Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, who is designated a terrorist by the Indian government and a member of the pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice. Some media and intellectuals saw this as an attempt by the government to hinder the protests. Speaking about the matter in an interview, Mr. Pannu said,
I actively support the farmers’ movement on social media, but I have been against Khalistan and Pannu [Gurpatwant Singh Pannu] I have spoken openly about it in my radio talks and TV shows. There is no question of raising any funds for them. Maybe I have been notified because my last name is also Pannu.”
Car Collection
Baltej owns a Mahindra Scorpio.
Baltej Pannu standing in front of his car
Facts/Trivia
- Mr. Pannu, whose ancestral home is from Punjab, moved to Canada in 1986 and became a Canadian citizen.
- He was awarded the Best Minority Editor Award in 2001.
- According to Canadian newspapers, on November 27, 2020 (a day after Baltej was arrested), more than 3,000 people, including Jagmeet Singh, deputy leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party, held a rally to demand Baltej’s release. More than 11,000 people signed a petition asking the Canadian government to pressure the Indian government to release Baltej and allow him to return to Canada.
People protesting the release of Mr. Panu
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education