Beant killer,a fan of Punjabi literature

Patar,who had been awarded Padma Shri this year,said: “I have read his letter and it is interesting to see that there is a poet in Rajoana. I am against capital punishment and would like to see him live but our ideologies do not match. For one thing,I am totally against violence.”

He added: “Fighters and warriors have always quoted poets. Guru Nanak,who has never spoken of violence,too has been quoted and so has been Sant Kabir. I know that Rajoana has been quoting my poetry. I only wish my verses could keep him away from violence.”

Other than Patar,novels written by Jaswant Singh Kanwal too have played a role in shaping Balwant’s ideology,said his elder brother Kulwant Singh.

“Had Rajoana met me before all this happened,I would not have let him move on this road which has led him here. Some people had approached me to request for clemency for Rajoana. I had even started writing the letter,but was later told that the Sikh high priests are doing it. We just hope that all this does not lead to any kind of violence,” said Jaswant.