No let-up in protest by Gaddis

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, August 16

Led by former minister and senior BJP leader Kishan Kapoor, Gaddis today held a protest here against the statement of the Chief Minister allegedly demeaning their community. The protest of the Gaddis coincided with the visit of the Congress general secretary Sushil Kumar Shinde today.

The Gaddis initially gathered at Jodha Mal inn in depot bazaar in the morning. Wearing black batches they moved to Kachehri crossing carrying placards displaying messages against the Chief Minister.

They carried out their protest at the Kachehri crossing while the cavalcade of the CM passed to the Circuit House from an alternative road.

BJP vice-president, ST Morcha, Trilok Kapoor said he had moved national commission for STs against the Chief Minister’s statement. “We have sought that a case should be registered against the CM for hurting the sentiments of the community”, he said.

Addressing the gathering, Kishan Kapoor alleged that the community would protest and show black flags to the Chief Minister wherever he went till he tenders an apology for his comments.

During his visit to Una last week, the Chief Minister, while taking a jibe at BJP state president Satpal Satti, had said that even Gaddis have presidents. Later, the Chief Minister tried to clarify that he had said that our Gaddi leaders have more following than the state BJP president. The clarification, however, did not have much impact and the Gaddis led by BJP leaders are still protesting.

The president of Punjab and Himachal Gorkha association RS Rana also addressed the gathering of Gaddis.