Wildly popular during the militancy days, he was known for his independent spirit and boldly kept a respectable distance from Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale which was appreciated as a dare-devil feat by the general public and largely and especially by the bureaucrats and the heavy-handed Punjab Police officers, who not only allowed but even encouraged him to openly carry an AK-47 on his person, turning him into a local version of self-styled sheriff let loose to up-keep law and order in the highly disturbed Punjab in those days of militancy.
He was extremely popular during the time of militancy for his fearlessness and ability to maintain a safe distance from Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, which was admired by the public, officials, and Punjab Police officers who even allowed him to openly carry an AK-47.