Chandigarh, October 17
A protest march by the Panthic Morcha and the Sant Samaj from Tarkhanmajra village (Fatehgarh Sahib) to Chandigarh today proved to be a show of strength with a large number of people joining the march on trucks, cars, two-wheelers and bicycles — supporting saffron flags. No untoward incident was reported as the procession passed peacefully through Morinda, Kharar and SAS Nagar before reaching Chandigarh amidst elaborate security arrangements

The highway traffic coming from Ludhiana, Ropar and Fatehgarh Sahib via Morinda to Chandigarh had to be diverted at a number of points forcing the motorists to take different routes. Being already more than three hours behind schedule, the procession led by former Akal Takht Jathedar, Ranjit Singh, AISAD leader G.S. Tohra, Mr Sarabjot Singh Bedi of the Panthic Morcha and Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, a former Member of Parliament, kept on moving with brief halts en route. Those trying to manoeuvre their vehicles through the convoy of vehicles had to face angry words of the participants.

The procession reached Morinda at around 1 p.m. Different religious and social organisations and businessmen had put up stalls to distribute “parshad”, biscuits and other eatables. Allaying the fears of the police that some protest would be held at Ghanduan (Morinda), where some incidents of sacrilege were reported, the procession passed peacefully. School children showing saffron flags welcomed the procession as the participants could be seen chanting hymns.

Some of the spirited lot could be seen raising slogans against the ruling Akali regime.

Surinder Bhardwaj adds from Fategharh Sahib: The presence and support of Mr Kanshi Ram, BSP supremo, not only surprised organisers of the protest march taken out from here today but also lent strength to their campaign against the Badal government initiated on the issue of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib. Mr Kanshi Ram, President of the BSP, appeared on the stage in a dramatic manner and extended his support to the protest march.

Addressing the gathering before the departure of the march, he strongly criticised the government for its failure to protect the sanctity of religious places and to take any action against Baba Bhaniara. He said what could not happen during the rule of Mughals, the British and the Congress, happened during the rule of so-called “saviour” of the Panth. The criticism of the government by the BSP supremo and support to the Panthic Morcha was termed as an indication of forming an alliance in the coming Assembly elections by various speakers.

The march started from Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup Sahib after the “ardas” performed by Bhai Ranjit Singh, a former Jathedar of Akal Takht. In the beginning it got a lukewarm response and the organisers were upset over the poor response and they, therefore, delayed the start. But by the time the march started there was an ocean of vehicles and the public, which had come from all over the state, was more than expected.

Addressing the gathering, Bhai Ranjit Singh rejected the judicial probe. He said they had no demand as they had no faith in the government. He said in 1978 when a clash took place between Nirankaris and Sikhs the Nirankari Baba was arrested under Section 302, but he was not taken to any jail. In spite of repeated assurances by Mr Badal that he would be awarded severest punishment, he was given a VIP treatment.

He said similarly Baba Bhaniara would not be given any punishment, rather he was enjoying the hospitality of Mr Badal in the jail.

Jathedar G.S. Tohra, President of the SHSAD, in his address alleged that Mr Badal, by using his influence, got Mr Badungar acquitted from the Jathedar of Akal Takht in spite of the remarks made by Bada Bhaniara that Mr Badungar had been visiting his dera. He asked Akal Takht Jathedar to clarify on which ground he acquitted him.